In these verses the Lord puts their religious exercises into perspective. First of all He addresses their attitude towards the temple. Presumably they thought it great and their endeavours in building it worth some esteem. Consider, say the Lord, that I am the One who occupies both heaven and earth! So why would I want a single building to inhabit? (The truth was that the Temple was built for the benefit of the people so that they could come there to focus upon the Lord). I'm much greater than your building – I made all things! I am the Creator.

In verse 3 He scorns their offerings. They come bringing a bull or a lamb or various other sorts of offerings but He scorns them. Why? Because their hearts are wrong. Even in bringing offerings they are being self-centred, thinking they can get God on their side by performing religious ritual. Again they don't realise that the whole point of the sacrificial system was for their benefit, to help their consciences. They do it but it is meaningless, for in the rest of their lives they are still self-centred and godless. These religious acts are worthless!

But in verse 2a the Lord drops a seed of truth. The one the Lord does esteem is one who understands their state, who understands the Lord's greatness and whose attitude reflects this, who is humble, contrite and realises the truth of God's word. THIS person, He does esteem!

D. Application:

1. Our religious acts mean nothing without a right heart.

2. Humility is recognising God's greatness and your smallness.

Chapter: Isaiah 66

Passage: Isaiah 66:4-6

A. Find Out:

1. So what will the Lord do? v.4a

2. For what 3 reasons? v.4b

3. To whom does He then speak? v.5a

4. What does He say has happened to them? v.5b

5. What does he tell them to do? v.6a

6. What is it? v.6b

B. Think:

1. What two groups of people are addressed in these verses?

2. What will happen to the first group and why?

3. What does the Lord say to the second group?

C. Comment:

In verse 4 the Lord continues to decry those who have a form of religion but not from God. They have chosen alien forms of religion, idol worship with its accompanying unpleasant features. So, says the Lord, I will bring on you harsh treatment. Then He gives the same threefold reason that He gave in 65:12 – He called but they ignored Him, He spoke and they still ignored Him. More than that, they did evil, so He will deal with them.

Then the Lord turns to His servants, the ones who “tremble at His word” who He has already referred to in verse 2. He knows what they have been through. Their unbelieving brothers have mocked them. The equivalent today might be, “You've said revival will come and God will be seen – we'll believe it when we see it!”

Don't worry, says the Lord, they will be put to shame and (by implication) you will be vindicated, so (again implied) just hang on faithfully. But then He tells them to listen to what is going on around them. Whether it was literally happening that the enemy was there or simply that the judgement was there in different forms, isn't made clear. Very often the judgement of God is there in a godless nation but it is not seen, not understood to be that, not perceived for what it is – but it IS the judgement coming!

D. Application:

1. Others may mock, but we are simply called to remain faithful and await

the coming of the Lord.

2. Don't be downcast by the mocking of unbelievers.

Chapter: Isaiah 66

Passage: Isaiah 66:7-9

A. Find Out:

1. What happens to the ‘she' spoken of here? v.7a

2. What is the end result? v.7b

3. What does the Lord ask? v.8a,b

4. What is going to happen? v.8c

5. What does He next ask? v.9a

6. What He then ask? v.9b

B. Think:

1. How is the mockery of verse 5 answered here?

2. What do these verses indicate about the speed of it all?

3. What do they say about the completeness of it all?

C. Comment:

One moment in verse 6 we seem to be hearing about the judgment on Jerusalem, that was already starting, the next we're hearing about something new happening.

In Mark's Gospel the writer often uses the word “suddenly” or “at once” or “immediately” (Mk 1:12 ,43, 2:8, 5:29 ,30 etc.) indicating an immediacy of purpose when God moves, and that is what we have here. The mockers have said to the faithful, “Come on where is the coming of your God that you expect?” Don't worry about it, says the Lord, it's going to come very quickly.

He then illustrates this. Normally with the birth of a baby there are labour pains first, then the baby is born. In this case, this new thing will not come with great fanfare – it will be instant! What is happening to Jerusalem, He says, will not be long and drawn out. God will deal with it and bring the new very quickly. Do I bring conception but not birth, says the Lord (v.9), do I hinder and stop the birth when it's ready, He says. No, He will bring to completion what He started. After Jerusalem was destroyed, 70 years later Cyrus seemed to move quickly and without warning to bring the restoration of the nation (see Ezra 1). Penetecost came without warning, the Lord's return will be likewise, as it was at the flood (2 Pet 3:3-7)

D. Application:

1. Mockers may mock but God will remain faithful.

2. When God moves, He does so quickly and purposefully.

Chapter: Isaiah 66

Passage: Isaiah 66:10-13

A. Find Out:

1. What does the Lord exhort us to do? v.10

2. Why? v.11

3. What does He say He will do? v.12a

4. What else? v.12b

5. What does he say He will also do for Jerusalem ? v.13

B. Think:

1. Why might some of the people be mourning over Jerusalem ?

2. What grounds does the Lord give them to rejoice over her?

3. How would you describe the change that is coming?

C. Comment:

The Lord has been saying in the previous verses that He will come with His blessing on the city very speedily, so all the mockers will be silenced. He has used the picture of a woman coming to birth without labour pains.

Now he continues to use the picture of a woman nursing her infant and says that this is how it will be in the days to come, Jerusalem will provide for the infant nation that the Lord brings to birth. So, He says, even though you may be mourning over the state of Jerusalem at this moment, rejoice for what is coming. Rejoicing in this context is a pure act of faith, a response to the Lord's promise.

He continues (v.12) to affirm what He has already said by saying that He will bring peace to Jerusalem , and prosperity from other nations. It will come in abundance (flood – v.12b). So, He says, it will come and you will be blessed and comforted, comforted by me, like a mother comforts and provides for her infant.

Again and again here, the Lord keeps on adding brush strokes to the picture of blessing that will come to Jerusalem at some time in the future. The people of that day needed to hear it. The unfaithful were mocking the faithful and so the faithful needed that encouragement to keep on being faithful. They may not see the blessing in their lifetime but the Lord wants them to be encouraged nevertheless.

D. Application:

1. We aren't to remain faithful only IF God brings blessing.

2. We are to be faithful – whatever!

Chapter: Isaiah 66

Passage: Isaiah 66:14-16

A. Find Out:

1. How will they change? v.14a

2. What will God's servants know? v.14b

3. But what will His enemies know? v14c

4. How is the Lord coming? v.15a,c, 16a

5. What is He going to bring? v.15b

6. How will be seen? v.16b,c

B. Think:

1. Who will be blessed, and how?

2. Who will have reason to fear, and why?

3. Why do you think God speaks this word?

C. Comment:

Verse 16 is a direct continuation from what the Lord has been saying about blessing and comfort for His servants. There IS coming a time, says the Lord, when you will see peace coming to Jerusalem and prosperity from the world, the comfort of the Lord, and when you see it your heart will rejoice and you will flourish as a result. This will really be a good time for those who serve the Lord faithfully.

But His fury will be shown to His foes! Suddenly there is that awful reminder than the Lord will hold His unfaithful ones to account. Don't get carried away with all the talk of good times to come; that is not for those who show themselves to be enemies of the Lord. Whether it is before the blessing or at the same time as the blessing of others, isn't made clear (probably before) but judgement IS going to come on unfaithful Israel, judgement that will express the anger of the Lord against wilful sin, anger that will come with fire, destruction and death.

Again the question arises in our minds, when did this happen or is it yet to happen? Well in one sense it was fulfilled in a measure in the years ahead, and when Jerusalem was eventually destroyed under Nebuchadnezzar and Israel resurrected under Cyrus. Maybe the destruction came in AD70 when Jerusalem was overcome then. Maybe this is yet to be the end time judgment. Watch this space!

D. Application:

1. Judgement WILL come on the unbelieving world!

2. The call is to repent and then be faithful.

Chapter: Isaiah 66

Passage: Isaiah 66:17-21

A. Find Out:

1. Who will meet their end? v.17

2. What is the Lord going to do, so what happens? v.18

3. Who will He send where? v.19a,b

4. To do what? v.19c

5. What will they also do? v.20

6. And what will the Lord do with some of them? v.21

B. Think:

1. How is there first a strong warning here?

2. How does the Lord show His concern for the world?

3. What will be the outcome of His activities?

C. Comment:

Verse 17 is a bit complicated and uncertain. What we can say is that it continues the theme of judgement that the previous verses have spoken about and clarifies that the judgement will be upon those who hold a form of religion that is not of God! As a result (v.18) the Lord is going to come and deal with them and everyone will see His splendour.

What then follows has an international dimension to it. The Lord is going to send messengers with the gospel (good news) to distant places where they have not yet heard of His splendour, with the result that many will come to gather to worship at Jerusalem and from these worshippers the Lord will choose those who are to become servers in the Temple . In this the Lord shows His concern for the whole world, not just for the one nation, Israel .

Some would say this has already been fulfilled in the coming of Jesus and the sending of the Gospel around the world. Others would say that it has been fulfilled in the 20 th century (in part at least) by the return of Israel to its own land. Whatever the truth, it is that God is fulfilling His plan and purpose to let the whole world know about Him. The Gospel is for the whole world. But it does involve people following God and not their own way of religion. God's way involves holiness and righteousness, nothing less!

D. Application:

1. The Lord loves people from every nation.

2. Am I open to love “different” people who love the Lord?

Chapter: Isaiah 66

Passage: Isaiah 66:22-24

A. Find Out:

1. What does the Lord say will endure? v.22a

2. What does He also say will endure? v.22b

3. What timescales does He use? v.23a

4. What will happen in those times? v.23b

5. Who will they be able to see? v.24a

6. What will they see that is ongoing? v.24b

B. Think:

1. How is verse 22 encouraging?

2. What is the end of God's plans in verse 23?

3. How is verse 24 an ongoing warning?

C. Comment:

This book of prophecies from Isaiah ends with a bang: short, sharp and hard. First there is a verse of ASSURANCE. The Lord is going to make new heavens and new earth and these will be eternal, enduring. In the same way the name of Israel will endure. Whatever happens to them, their name will endure. These will be times of judgement, but God will maintain a faithful remnant and this remnant will keep the name of Israel alive.

Second, there is DETERMINATION OF PURPOSE in verse 23 where what should happen, will happen. All of the human race WILL come and bow down before the Lord – at least those who will bow the knee to God so God WILL receive the worship of which He alone is worthy; this will be the end outcome.

Finally, there is an AWFUL WARNING in the final verse of the book. The bodies of those who have rebelled and have been judged by destruction will be visible as an ongoing warning. The final words are a terrible picture, an awful warning of what rebellious, sinful mankind deserves and WILL receive unless it receives the salvation that God offers it through Jesus Christ. If this doesn't bring people to their senses, nothing will, and they WILL perish,

D. Application:

1. A faithful remnant WILL survive. Ensure you are part of that!

2. Judgement WILL come on unbelievers. Avoid that at all cost!

RECAP - "Transformation by the Lord" - Isaiah Chapter 66

SUMMARY :

In this fifth group of 7 studies we have seen the Lord:

- declaring His independence. (v.1,2)

- condemning false worship that lacks relationship (v.3,4)

- challenging those who question His coming (v.5,6)

- warning that change will come speedily (v.7-11)

- promising blessing for Jerusalem (v.12-14)

- promising judgement on unrighteousness (v.14-17)

- declaring His glory will be seen in the nations (v.18,19)

- declaring the believers will come to Jerusalem (v.20,21)

- promising Israel 's name will endure (v.22)

- declaring that all mankind will bow before him (v.23)

- declaring that the judgement WILL come. (v.24)

COMMENT :

There is a sense that all of Isaiah is the same, a mixture of warning of judgement on unbelievers and blessing on believers. This chapter is a mix of that. The warning is there against those who have a man-made, self-centred form of religion. This does not impress God. In fact it will be judged and they will be destroyed. There are challenges to believers to not be put off by the words of the unbelievers, and to hold on for God's blessing WILL come. His plans and purposes decree that the unrighteous will be destroyed and all believers will come to Him and bow their knee in worship. Israel will be at the heart of this, but the Gospel will go to the whole world and so there will be believers from every nation. What a chapter!

LESSONS?

1. God doesn't need our worship.

2. False, pretend, man-made worship is idolatry and sin.

3. Such self-centred religion will be judged and destroyed.

4. Blessing is promised for God's children, all believers.

PRAY :

Ask the Lord to help you take in the wonder and significance of this final chapter – to be able to see the awfulness of man-made, self-centred religion. Seek Him. Build your relationship with Him. That is the most important thing in your life.

SUMMARY

In these chapters we have seen:

Chapters 61 & 62

God's REVELATION to Isaiah:

- anointing is upon him to deliver captives (v.1-3)

- those captives will restore the land (v.4-7)

- God will make an everlasting covenant with them

(v.8,9)

Isaiah's RESPONSE of prophetic praise & prayer:

- praise & rejoicing (v.10,11)

- a determination not to keep quiet (v.1)

- a declaration that Jerusalem will be beautiful again

(v.2-5)

- a strategy to pray until God does this (v.6,7)

- assurance never again to be overrun by enemies

(v.8,9)

- a call to prepare the way for people to come (v.10)

- an announcement of a coming Saviour (v.11)

- a declaration that a new people will arise (v.12)

Chapter 63

- a picture of the Lord returning from judgement (v.1-6)

- the prophet recounting the Lord's goodness to Israel (v.7-9)

- Israel 's rebellion (v.10)

- the people remembering the Lord's acts (v.11-14)

- the prophets plea to the Lord to redeem them? (v.15-19)

Chapter 64

- Isaiah's cry for the Lord to come down (v.1-2)

- the prophet recounting the Lord's goodness to Israel (v.7-9)

- Israel 's rebellion (v.10)

- the people remembering the Lord's acts (v.11-14)

- the prophets plea to the Lord to redeem them? (v.15-19)

Chapter 65

- God's WARNING of JUDGEMENT on unfaithful Israel :

- God had been there for them (v.1,2)

- but Israel rebelled with man-made religion (v.2-5)

- so judgement will come (v.6,7)

- yet a remnant will be saved (v.8-10)

- but the unfaithful will be destroyed (v.11,12)

- a distinction between faithful & unfaithful (v.13-16)

- God's PROMISE of BLESSING on the faithful remnant:

- there will be a new creation (v.17)

- health, prosperity, security & peace will prevail(v.18-25)

Chapter 66

- declaring His independence. (v.1,2)

- condemning false worship that lacks relationship (v.3,4)

- challenging those who question His coming (v.5,6)

- warning that change will come speedily (v.7-11)

- promising blessing for Jerusalem (v.12-14)

- promising judgement on unrighteousness (v.14-17)

- declaring His glory will be seen in the nations (v.18,19)

- declaring the believers will come to Jerusalem (v.20,21)

- promising Israel 's name will endure (v.22)

- declaring that all mankind will bow before him (v.23)

- declaring that the judgement WILL come. (v.24)

CONCLUSION

Among the things that perhaps should stand out to us at the end of this set of studies, are the following:

The Judgement of God

Without doubt the judgement of God features strongly in the Isaiah prophecies. This judgement is not the act of a capricious God and we need to understand it clearly.

First, it is judgement that comes after many warnings. When judgement does eventually come in Scripture, what is amazing about it, is the length of time that it takes to come and the number of warnings that God gives.

Second it is judgement against those who have steadfastly refused God have held onto unrighteousness, often in the form of idolatry. It is always where there has been a refusal to repent.

Finally, it is judgement in the form of destruction. When God brings judgement, it is to clear away the unrighteous so that the righteous may have free space to re-establish the nation unhindered. God's objective is like that of a surgeon removing a cancer lump: to remove the unhealthy part of the body so that the rest can live. Such warnings of judgement on Israel are also warnings to any unbelievers, anyone who refuses the love and grace of God that is offered.

The Blessing of God

We should not see warnings of corrective judgement as all gloom and doom, for Isaiah's prophecies are full of hope for the future for the believing remnant. That hope is both short term and long-term.

It is short term hope in that the promises are for the immediate future (not necessarily in the lifetime of the present people!).

It is long-term hope in that the promises are also for eternity or for some distant phase of history where God is promising blessing for His people.

This hope is not some nebulous offer of blessing, but specific promises of material blessing, for God has given us a material world in which to live, and the blessings are very real and very practical. The blessings that are spoken about so often involve peace, prosperity, health, wholeness and security. These are all very practical facets of life. Spiritual blessings impact the material world. That applies just as much to us today as it did to Israel then. That's how God has designed it.