Monday, March 22
Read Isaiah 66:1-19. Keeping in mind the time in which Isaiah wrote, what is the basic message he is giving here?
Through the prophet, God reiterates the appeal and warning that permeates the book: God will save and restore the humble, who tremble at His word (Isaiah 66:2, 5). As in Isaiah 40:1, He will comfort them (Isaiah 66:13). But He will destroy those who rebel against Him. These include hypocrites of ritual, whose sacrifices He rejects (Isaiah 66:3, 4; compare Isaiah 1:10-15), as well as those who hate and reject His faithful ones (Isaiah 66:5). They also include those who practice pagan abominations (Isaiah 66:17) like those practiced at the temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8:7-12).
Look at Isaiah 66:3. What is this text saying? What spiritual principles are being revealed here? How might the same idea be expressed, but in the context of contemporary Christianity and worship?
How does God serve as a magnet to draw the nations to Himself? Isaiah 66:18, 19.
Following the destruction of His enemies (Isaiah 66:14-17), God reveals His glory so that He becomes a magnet to draw people to Jerusalem (compare Isaiah 2:2-4). He sets a “sign” among them, which is not specified here but apparently refers to the sign last mentioned by Isaiah: God gives His people joy and peace and restores their land (Isaiah 55:12, 13). When He reveals His glory by restoring His people after destruction, this is a sign of His restored favor, just as He gave Noah the sign of the rainbow after the Flood (Genesis 9:13-17).
Read Isaiah 66:5. What does it mean to tremble at His word? Why does the Lord want us to tremble at His word? If you don’t tremble, what might that say about the condition of your heart?
