VI. FINAL THREATENINGS AND PROMISES (66:1-24)
The prophet is looking to the climax of judgment and the glorious hope about which he has been preaching throughout his long life of service to Jehovah and His people (Hailey).
A. The Lord Will Look To Him That Is Poor And Of Contrite Spirit, And Trembles At His Word (66:1-6)
(1) Isaiah began his prophetic work by warning of the decline and fall of Judah due to their moral corruption (Isa. 1; 5:5-7). Out of the desolation will come a new nation composed of a remnant of Judah and people from among the Gentiles (Isa. 2:2-4; 4:2-6). Because the city and the temple have been laid to waste, the remnant and the redeemed of the nations will need a new temple. We can see from such prophets as Haggai and Zechariah that there was a need for a new physical temple and God encouraged and commanded that it be rebuilt (Zech. 1:16). However, even that new physical temple could not contain Jehovah (1 Ki. 8:27) and the people were not to put their trust in that physical structure. Jeremiah prophesies that even when warned, the people would put their trust in the physical building because it represented His presence (Jer. 7:1-4).
(2) The temple of Solomon was built with materials provided by the Lord's providence and so shall the materials for the new temple be obtained. The difference being that Solomon's temple was built with perishable materials, while the new temple will be built with men. Men that are: 1, poor - meek; 2, of a contrite spirit - smitten; and 3, that tremble at my word - have a respect for God's word. Men such as this will be the building materials for God's new house (Eph. 2:21; 1 Pet. 2:5).
(3) Under the old law, proper sacrifices offered improperly or with the wrong attitude were not acceptable to God. Now all these sacrifices will become as idolatry under the new order. Any worship that is unauthorized by God or done in an unacceptable way is an abomination to Him.
(4) If a man insists on worshiping incorrectly, Jehovah will choose the consequences of that man's actions (2 Thes. 2:11,12).
(5) There will be among the Jews those that hate their brethren for conforming to God's will (that tremble at His word). The believers will be castaways among their own brethren, but in the end it is the unbelievers that shall be put to shame.
(6) Using 20/20 hindsight it appears these verses are pointing to the final destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. It will be a time of war and destruction. Even if Isaiah has the Babylonian assault in mind, that assault was a foretaste of what would happen when the Jews reject the Servant.
B. Blessings In The New Zion Are Promised (66:7-14)
(7,8) Previously we have seen Zion portrayed as the mother of the Servant (Isa. 49:1-13), a mother comforted by the return of her wayward children (Isa. 49:14-26), and a mother who must enlarge her dwelling place (Isa. 54:1-3). Now we are introduced to a awe inspiring event: a man-child will be born to Zion and immediately a nation, its land, and its children will come forth. The only occurrence in the history of Zion to meet these requirements is the entrance of the Christ (Acts 2; 4:4).
(9) God's plan of redemption through the Servant has been the central theme of the Old Testament (Someone is coming!). When the time is right, God asks rhetorically, shall I...shut the womb?
(10,11) The Servant will be a Comforter of those that mourn; at His coming, mourning will cease. As an infant finds comfort, satisfaction, and nourishment at its mother's breast, so shall those that love Zion be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
(12) Peace means welfare and prosperity as well as completion and fulfillment. The future innocence and blessings of God's people are described as a healthy new-born infant, lovingly tended to by its mother.
(13) Zion's children will be comforted in spiritual Jerusalem as one whom his mother comforts.
(14) When these blessings come, the believers will realize and understand just what is happening. They will grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). This growth and attitude can be seen in the first century as the early church spread throughout the world. Jehovah will provide these blessings upon His servants, but He will have indignation against His enemies.
C. Vengeance Is Also Promised Upon His Enemies (66:15-17)
(15) Divine punishment is often symbolized by fire in the scriptures (Ps. 97:3; Jer. 4:4; Eze. 22:21; Nah. 1:6; Isa. 29:5,6; 30:27-31; 42:25). This verse describes the extent of the indignation God will bring against His enemies (v. 14).
(16) He will also use His sword (Rome or Babylon) to execute His judgment upon all flesh. That is, not only will the Jews be judged, but those of all nations that are in rebellion against Him. It is probable that the prophet is looking forward to the destruction of Jerusalem (Mt. 24:15-22; Lk. 21:20-24).
(17) Alexander believes this verse is a summary of the idolatry, rebellion, and spiritual temper of the Jews from the days of Isaiah to the coming of Christ, at which time they (the nation and the Old Testament system) shall come to an end together. Because the people have acted like heathens, then God will treat them accordingly!
D. All Nations Will Be Gathered To Behold The Lord's Glory (66:18-24)
(18) The world will see Jehovah's glory, presence, and power as He judges the idol worshipers among His own people.
(19) This destruction will come according to an unidentified sign. It is possible that the sign may have been the very destruction itself. The fact that the people will be dispersed and a message will be delivered to nations afar off, suggests the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans and the Jewish dispersion that followed. It could very well be that this verse points to the work of the apostles under the Great Commission and other early Christians who carried the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4).
(20) Those that take the message to the ends of the world will make converts from among those nations. These Gentile believers will stand up as an oblation (a bloodless meal-offering) unto Jehovah. They will come to Jehovah's Holy Mountain by the swiftest means available.
(21) A new priesthood will be established, admitting to its ranks those from outside the house of Levi. Peter teaches that all believers are members of a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) and John adds that men of every tribe ... have been made ...priests (Rev. 5:9-10).
(22) The seed (remnant) of the new spiritual Israel will remain as long as the new heavens and new earth stand. Old national Israel will not stand but will be put out as Hagar and Ishmael were put out by Abraham (Gal. 4:21-31).
(23) Under the new order all who make up spiritual Zion will come before the Lord to worship at the divinely prescribed times; for those still under the Old Law (from Isaiah to the day of Pentecost), from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another.
(24) The prophecy ends on a very dark note as it vividly portrays the destruction of sinners. The faithful will behold the terrible fate of the apostates. The contrast between the state of the believers and the state of the apostates is unmistakable. Isaiah wants his listeners to be sure of the infinite difference between the glory of God and of His righteous followers and the terrible doom of Satan and those that follow His path of idolatry, sin, and wickedness. [TOP OF THIS PAGE]