Isa 66:3 | KingComments | STEP | The last chapter of Isaiah is at the same time a climax and summary of the prophecies of Isaiah. The opening section of this chapter is a continuation of the glorious vision of the future in the previous chapter. However, the great point of connection with the previous chapter is the contrast between the true and faithful servant of God and the apostate and worldly character of the majority of the nation. God protests against the latter and their ideas to establish a temple in Jerusalem. There are forms of sacrifice that the LORD hates. One form is idolatry, in which sacrifices are made to idols. The other form is that in which people come to Him, but with an untruthful, hypocritical heart or out of rut and no more than tradition. As Creator of heaven and earth He does not need anyone to build a house for Him ( ). He is not looking for people who are only after a beautiful building. In the end time the unbelieving Jews will rebuild the temple. There the antichrist will put an image of the beast. There will be animal sacrifices again and religious festivals will be celebrated in the then rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. All this will take place under the protection of an alliance with the restored Roman Empire, the united states of Europe. But the LORD does not value this outward form service. People who only have an eye for outer forms, are also there today. When people come who do not love Him, a temple means nothing to Him (cf. ). In this sense, Stephen also speaks to the Sanhedrin in his speech to make it clear to them that they have preferred the symbol to the reality of a relationship with God ( ). They place religion above relation. The LORD looks to the one who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at His word ( ). From those who do not have these characteristics, He expects no action to build the temple or that they come to bring offerings. With a scathing judgment the LORD makes it clear that the sacrifices of the hypocritical worshipers are to Him like committing gross iniquities ( ). To Him, killing an ox while they have an untruthful heart is like killing a human being. Likewise, the sacrifice of a lamb or a grain offering without humility is to Him equal to the bringing of an unclean animal like a dog or blood from a swine. To Him, the tribute that they think they bring to Him means that they praise an idol. They have chosen to follow the path of the heathen with their horrors. To this the LORD answers that He will make a choice and that He will take their deceitful deliberations and will bring on them what they fear. He does so because they did not answer when He called and they refused to listen to His words ( ). In the time after the rapture of the church and before the coming of Christ to earth, the faithful remnant of Israel will again proclaim the gospel of the kingdom ( ), both to the people and to the entire world. But even then, the mass of the people refuses to repent.

‏ Isaiah 66:3

Introduction

The last chapter of Isaiah is at the same time a climax and summary of the prophecies of Isaiah. The opening section of this chapter is a continuation of the glorious vision of the future in the previous chapter. However, the great point of connection with the previous chapter is the contrast between the true and faithful servant of God and the apostate and worldly character of the majority of the nation.

God protests against the latter and their ideas to establish a temple in Jerusalem. There are forms of sacrifice that the LORD hates. One form is idolatry, in which sacrifices are made to idols. The other form is that in which people come to Him, but with an untruthful, hypocritical heart or out of rut and no more than tradition.

Reprehensible Temple Service

As Creator of heaven and earth He does not need anyone to build a house for Him (Isa 66:1). He is not looking for people who are only after a beautiful building. In the end time the unbelieving Jews will rebuild the temple. There the antichrist will put an image of the beast. There will be animal sacrifices again and religious festivals will be celebrated in the then rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. All this will take place under the protection of an alliance with the restored Roman Empire, the united states of Europe. But the LORD does not value this outward form service.

People who only have an eye for outer forms, are also there today. When people come who do not love Him, a temple means nothing to Him (cf. Jer 7:4). In this sense, Stephen also speaks to the Sanhedrin in his speech to make it clear to them that they have preferred the symbol to the reality of a relationship with God (Acts 7:44-54). They place religion above relation.

The LORD looks to the one who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at His word (Isa 66:2). From those who do not have these characteristics, He expects no action to build the temple or that they come to bring offerings. With a scathing judgment the LORD makes it clear that the sacrifices of the hypocritical worshipers are to Him like committing gross iniquities (Isa 66:3).

To Him, killing an ox while they have an untruthful heart is like killing a human being. Likewise, the sacrifice of a lamb or a grain offering without humility is to Him equal to the bringing of an unclean animal like a dog or blood from a swine. To Him, the tribute that they think they bring to Him means that they praise an idol.

They have chosen to follow the path of the heathen with their horrors. To this the LORD answers that He will make a choice and that He will take their deceitful deliberations and will bring on them what they fear. He does so because they did not answer when He called and they refused to listen to His words (Isa 66:4).

In the time after the rapture of the church and before the coming of Christ to earth, the faithful remnant of Israel will again proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (Mt 24:14), both to the people and to the entire world. But even then, the mass of the people refuses to repent.