Isaiah 66 explained: God's Final Word Through Isaiah

No house can hold God (vv. 1-4)

God made heaven and earth, so no temple can contain him; what he values is a humble person who takes his word seriously. Sacrifices from people living as they please offend him as much as murder or forbidden pagan rites, though scholars debate whether the Hebrew means 'is like' or describes people who actually do both.

The mocked faithful defended (vv. 5-6)

Faithful people have been shut out by their own community, who taunt them by daring God to show up and prove their joy real. God promises the mockers will be the ones shamed, and a great noise from the city and temple signals him acting.

Jerusalem as a mother (vv. 7-14)

Jerusalem, also called Zion, gives birth to a whole nation in a moment without labor pains, a picture of sudden, unexpected restoration, and then nurses her children with plenty. God adds that he will comfort his people the way a mother comforts her child.

Judgment by fire (vv. 15-17)

God is pictured coming with fire and sword to judge, a violent image the text does not soften. Those condemned include people who purify themselves for pagan rites in sacred gardens, follow some leader or unnamed figure that scholars cannot identify, and eat pork, rodents and other foods Israel's law forbade.

Every nation gathered (vv. 18-21)

God gathers people of all languages to see his glory and sends survivors to distant lands such as Tarshish, probably in the far west, and Greece. They bring scattered Israelites home as a gift to God, and some will serve as priests, though scholars differ on whether that means foreigners or the returning exiles.

New creation and a grim ending (vv. 22-24)

In a renewed heaven and earth, all humanity worships God at every monthly New Moon feast and weekly Sabbath, while the bodies of rebels lie among worms and fire that never end. Jesus later used this image for final judgment, and in synagogue reading verse 23 is repeated after verse 24 so the book ends on hope.

Key verse: Isaiah 66:2

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the promises about a restored Jerusalem describe a literal future for the Jewish people and their city or are fulfilled spiritually in the church and the coming new creation.

Something to think about

What do you think makes the difference between a ritual that carries real meaning and one that has become empty?