Isaiah 66

1 haec dicit Dominus caelum sedis mea et terra scabillum pedum meorum quae ista domus quam aedificabitis mihi et quis iste locus quietis meae

2 omnia haec manus mea fecit et facta sunt universa ista dicit Dominus ad quem autem respiciam nisi ad pauperculum et contritum spiritu et trementem sermones meos

3 qui immolat bovem quasi qui interficiat virum qui mactat pecus quasi qui excerebret canem qui offert oblationem quasi qui sanguinem suillum offerat qui recordatur turis quasi qui benedicat idolo haec omnia elegerunt in viis suis et in abominationibus suis anima eorum delectata est

4 unde et ego eligam inlusiones eorum et quae timebant adducam eis quia vocavi et non erat qui responderet locutus sum et non audierunt feceruntque malum in oculis meis et quae nolui elegerunt

5 audite verbum Domini qui tremetis ad verbum eius dixerunt fratres vestri odientes vos et abicientes propter nomen meum glorificetur Dominus et videbimus in laetitia vestra ipsi autem confundentur

6 vox populi de civitate vox de templo vox Domini reddentis retributionem inimicis suis

7 antequam parturiret peperit antequam veniret partus eius peperit masculum

8 quis audivit umquam tale et quis vidit huic simile numquid parturiet terra in die una aut parietur gens simul quia parturivit et peperit Sion filios suos

9 numquid ego qui alios parere facio ipse non pariam dicit Dominus si ego qui generationem ceteris tribuo sterilis ero ait Dominus Deus tuus

10 laetamini cum Hierusalem et exultate in ea omnes qui diligitis eam gaudete cum ea gaudio universi qui lugetis super eam

11 ut sugatis et repleamini ab ubere consolationis eius ut mulgeatis et deliciis affluatis ab omnimoda gloria eius

12 quia haec dicit Dominus ecce ego declinabo super eam quasi fluvium pacis et quasi torrentem inundantem gloriam gentium quam sugetis ad ubera portabimini et super genua blandientur vobis

13 quomodo si cui mater blandiatur ita ego consolabor vos et in Hierusalem consolabimini

14 videbitis et gaudebit cor vestrum et ossa vestra quasi herba germinabunt et cognoscetur manus Domini servis eius et indignabitur inimicis suis

15 quia ecce Dominus in igne veniet et quasi turbo quadrigae eius reddere in indignatione furorem suum et increpationem suam in flamma ignis

16 quia in igne Dominus diiudicatur et in gladio suo ad omnem carnem et multiplicabuntur interfecti a Domino

17 qui sanctificabantur et mundos se putabant in hortis post unam intrinsecus qui comedebant carnem suillam et abominationem et murem simul consumentur dicit Dominus

18 ego autem opera eorum et cogitationes eorum venio ut congregem cum omnibus gentibus et linguis et venient et videbunt gloriam meam

19 et ponam in eis signum et mittam ex eis qui salvati fuerint ad gentes in mari in Africa in Lydia tenentes sagittam in Italiam et Graeciam ad insulas longe ad eos qui non audierunt de me et non viderunt gloriam meam et adnuntiabunt gloriam meam gentibus

20 et adducent omnes fratres vestros de cunctis gentibus donum Domino in equis et in quadrigis et in lecticis et in mulis et in carrucis ad montem sanctum meum Hierusalem dicit Dominus quomodo si inferant filii Israhel munus in vase mundo in domum Domini

21 et adsumam ex eis in sacerdotes et in Levitas dicit Dominus

22 quia sicut caeli novi et terra nova quae ego facio stare coram me dicit Dominus sic stabit semen vestrum et nomen vestrum

23 et erit mensis ex mense et sabbatum ex sabbato veniet omnis caro ut adoret coram facie mea dicit Dominus

24 et egredientur et videbunt cadavera virorum qui praevaricati sunt in me vermis eorum non morietur et ignis eorum non extinguetur et erunt usque ad satietatem visionis omni carni

Isaiah 66 Commentary

Chapter 66

God looks at the heart, and vengeance is threatened for guilt. (1-4) The increase of the church, when Jew and Gentile shall be gathered to the Redeemer. (5-14) Every enemy of the church shall be destroyed, and the final ruin of ungodly men shall be seen. (15-24)

Verses 1-4 The Jews gloried much in their temple. But what satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with men's hands? God has a heaven and an earth of his own making, and temples of man's making; but he overlooks them, that he may look with favour to him who is poor in spirit and serious, self-abasing and self-denying; whose heart truly sorrows for sin: such a heart is a living temple for God. The sacrifice of the wicked is not only unacceptable, but a great offence to God. And he that now offers a sacrifice after the law, does in effect set aside Christ's sacrifice. He that burns incense, puts contempt upon the incense of Christ's intercession, and is as if he blessed an idol. Men shall be deceived by the vain confidences with which they deceive themselves. Unbelieving hearts, and unpurified consciences, need no more to make them miserable, than to have their own fears brought upon them. Whatever men put in the place of the priesthood, atonement, and intercession of Christ, will be found hateful to God.

Verses 5-14 The prophet turns to those that trembled at God's word, to comfort and encourage them. The Lord will appear, to the joy of the humble believer, and to the confusion of hypocrites and persecutors. When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel went forth from Zion, multitudes were converted in a little time. The word of God, especially his promises, and ordinances, are the consolations of the church. The true happiness of all Christians is increased by every convert brought to Christ. The gospel brings with it, wherever it is received in its power, such a river of peace, as will carry us to the ocean of boundless and endless bliss. Divine comforts reach the inward man; the joy of the Lord will be the strength of the believer. Both God's mercy and justice shall be manifested, and for ever magnified.

Verses 15-24 A prophetic declaration is given of the Lord's vengeance on all enemies of his church, especially that of all antichristian opposers of the gospel in the latter days. Ver. ( isaiah 66:19-20 ) sinners. These expressions are figurative, and express the plentiful and gracious helps for bringing God's elect home to Christ. All shall be welcome; and nothing shall be wanting for their assistance and encouragement. A gospel ministry shall be set up in the church; they would have solemn worship before the Lord. In the last verse the nature of the punishment of sinners in the world to come is represented. Then shall the righteous and wicked be separated. Our Saviour applies this to the everlasting misery and torment of impenitent sinners in the future state. To the honour of that free grace which thus distinguishes them, let the redeemed of the Lord, with humility, and not without holy trembling, sing triumphant songs. With this affecting representation of the opposite states of the righteous and wicked, characters which include the whole human race, Isaiah concludes his prophecies. May God grant, for Christ's sake, that our portion may be with those who fear and love his name, who cleave to his truths, and persevere in every good work, looking to receive from the Lord Jesus Christ the gracious invitation, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 66

This chapter treats of the same things as the former, the rejection of the unbelieving Jews, and the regard had to them that did believe; the conversion of that people in the latter day; the calling of the Gentiles, and the happy state of the church in the last times. The causes of the rejection of the Jews were their unworthy notions of God, as if he was confined to the temple of Jerusalem, and to be pleased with external sacrifices, now both at an end under the Gospel dispensation; a better sacrifice being offered, and a more spiritual worship set up everywhere; which notions are considered, Isa 66:1-3, and because they were set upon their ways and works, and rejected the Gospel of Christ, they are threatened with ruin, Isa 66:3,4 and the disciples of Christ, whom they excommunicated and persecuted, have a promise of divine appearance for them, while vengeance shall be taken on their enemies, their city and temple, Isa 66:5,6, nevertheless, in the latter day, there will be a large and sudden conversion of this nation of the Jews, which is signified by the birth of them, which will be matter of great joy to all the true lovers of the interest of Christ, Isa 66:7-11 and what will add to the prosperity, joy, and comfort of the church of Christ at this time, will be the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles, Isa 66:12-14 at which time the vials of God's wrath will be poured out upon antichrist and his followers, Isa 66:15-17 and the chapter is concluded with a fresh account of large conversions of men of all nations, and of the union of Jews and Gentiles in one church state, which shall long remain, and be undisturbed by enemies, who will be all slain, and their carcasses looked upon with contempt, Isa 66:18-24.