Isa 65 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 65:1-66:24: 65:1–66:24 Here the Lord responds to the prayer in 63:7–64:12 . Summary for Isa 65:1-2: 65:1-2 The Lord opened up every opportunity for the people of Israel to seek him (55:6 ; 58:2 ), but they did not do so.

Summary for Isa 65:1-66:24: 65:1–66:24 ^a Here the Lord responds to the prayer in 63:7–64:12 ^b.
Summary for Isa 65:1-2: 65:1-2 ^c The Lord opened up every opportunity for the people of Israel to seek him (55:6 ^d; 58:2 ^e), but they did not do so.
65:3 ^f Sacred gardens were a part of the fertility religion of Baal.
65:4 ^g worshiping the dead: God had banned the practice of necromancy (consulting dead spirits; see 8:19-22 ^h; 47:9 ⁱ; Deut 18:9-11 ^j).

• the flesh of pigs ... other forbidden foods: See Isa 66:3-4 ^k; Lev 11:7 ^l; Deut 14:3 ^m, 8 ⁿ.
65:5 ^o you will defile me! I am holier than you! The people of Israel used the language of ritual purification, as stated in the laws of Moses, yet they practiced rites influenced by paganism. Because of this hypocrisy, they were a stench in God’s nostrils (see 1:10-15 ^p).
65:6 ^q my decree is written out: God is fully committed to carry out his plan.

• The godly had asked whether the Lord would stand silent forever (64:12 ^r). God answered that he would not but would deal with the wicked before restoring the righteous remnant.
65:7 ^s The people of Israel practiced their pagan religion at sacred shrines on mountains and hills (see 1 Kgs 14:23 ^t; Hos 4:13 ^u).
Summary for Isa 65:8-16: 65:8-16 ^v The Lord planned to spare and reward a remnant of righteous people.
65:10 ^w Sharon was a fertile and beautiful marshy region southwest of Mount Carmel (see 33:9 ^x). The valley of Achor in the vicinity of Jericho was associated with the curse on Achan (Josh 7:24-26 ^y); it would be transformed into a place of blessing (Hos 2:15 ^z). These western and eastern regions might represent the renewal of the whole land.
65:11 ^aa Fate and Destiny are names of pagan gods (Gad, Meni) that were thought to bring fortune and determine one’s destiny.
65:12 ^ab ‘destine’: This verb (Hebrew manithi) is a wordplay on Meni (see study note on 65:11). God alone controls human and national destinies.
Summary for Isa 65:13-15: 65:13-15 ^ac The contrast between the wicked (addressed as you) and God’s servants pertains to all areas of life. God punishes the wicked but blesses those who truly serve him (see 65:17-25 ^ad).
65:15 ^ae The new name given to the faithful represents a new identity and a deeper relationship with the Lord (see also 62:2 ^af).
65:16 ^ag evil of earlier days: Cp. Rev 21:4 ^ah.
65:17 ^ai The new heavens and new earth will be a place of righteousness (see also 2 Pet 3:13 ^aj; Rev 21 ^ak). Paul described those who believe in Christ as already being part of the new creation (see 2 Cor 5:17 ^al; Gal 6:15 ^am).
Summary for Isa 65:18-19: 65:18-19 ^an Jerusalem here symbolizes God’s eternal kingdom (Rev 21:1-4 ^ao).
65:24 ^ap God will be present with his people (see also 19:22 ^aq; 30:19 ^ar; cp. 1:15 ^as; 59:2 ^at).
65:25 ^au The snakes represent evil (27:1 ^av; Gen 3 ^aw).