Is. 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
In this chapter the LORD begins to give answer to Isaiah’s questions of the previous chapter. The first part of His answer is not encouraging to the prophet. The LORD tells Isaiah that He will be sought and found by heathen nations, those who have not been called by His name. I believe this is a prophecy of the establishment of the church since the word nation is a reference to a singular entity. The Hebrew for the word sought included the idea of “worship” and the word found included the idea of “presence.” In other words, there is coming an entity composed of the Gentile nations that will choose to worship God and will enjoy His presence in their lives. This was supposed to be the privilege of the nation of Israel.
Is. 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
Is. 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
Is. 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
The LORD is pictured in a posture of desire for intimacy and fellowship before His people. It’s like when we open our arms to embrace someone we love and want to bless. This mirrors the scenario in Revelation 3:20 that pictures Jesus standing at the door of the church of Laodicea wanting to be invited in for fellowship.
Instead of joyfully accepting the LORD’s embrace, His people have been rebellious. They have chosen to live in ways that were not good, ways according to their own thinking. This makes me think of one of the Proverbs.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Israel/Judah had no excuse. God had given them His oracles, His wisdom, commands and guidelines for living. They had been strictly commanded that they were to have no other gods before YHWH.
Exodus 20:2-3 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Not only that, He had performed many miracles on their behalf.
What did they do? They rebelled openly with an “in your face” attitude. They openly and publicly offered sacrifices and incense to the gods of the heathen nations around them. Spending time among the graves and gravestones testify to the sin of “necromancy,” communication with the dead. This was also prohibited in scripture.
Deuteronomy 18:10-11 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
The dietary laws God had given the Israelites stated that they were to avoid eating the meat of pigs and to avoid the use of unclean animals. The whole chapter of Leviticus 11 is devoted to defining clean and unclean animals.
Leviticus 11:7 & 45-47 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you….For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
Is. 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
Not only did they openly rebel against God’s authority, those who were involved in such wicked deeds were claiming to be holier than those choosing to remain obedient to God. God compares His rebellious people as a “smoke in my nose, a fire.” This is a picture of an angry God. I like the wording of the NLT: “They are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.”
Is. 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
Is. 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
The LORD seems to be referencing the words of the Psalmist.
Psalm 50:1-4 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Psalm 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
“recompense” – to give in an equivalent, to give in return
I like the wording of the Complete Jewish Bible: “See, it is written before me; I will not be silent until I repay them; I will repay them to the full, your own crimes and those of your ancestors together,” says ADONAI. “They offered incense on the mountains and insulted me on the hills. First I will measure out their wages and then repay them in full.”
In simple terms, they will be judged according their actions. God’s judgment is always righteous and just.
The NIV Commentary gave reminder of God’s thinking vs. man’s thinking; it stated that God’s “judgment on a nation often awaits the full term of its sin.”
Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
The question then becomes, “What denotes being full?” Only God can be the judge of this.
Is. 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
Finally, the prophet begins to get some good news. I like the wording of the NLT for this verse.
“But I will not destroy them all,” says the LORD. “For just as good grapes are found among a cluster of bad ones (and someone will say, ‘Don’t throw them all away—there are some good grapes there!’), so I will not destroy all Israel. For I still have true servants there.”
Is. 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
Is. 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
The LORD states that He is going to preserve a remnant out of Israel, and in particular there is going to come forth a powerful deliverer from Judah that will deliver the nation. Israel is again going to possess the promised land. It will be populated with “my servants,” those who love the LORD and are following Him in obedience—those that have sought Him. The land will once again be a place of peace and pasture in abundance for their flocks.
Is. 65:11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
Is. 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
The LORD changes His address to the current generation, those to whom the prophet Isaiah is prophesying. They do not qualify for the blessings God has just promised to the future believing, obedient remnant. They have finally passed the point of no return. Their judgment is sure. They had continually rebuffed God’s pleas for them to repent and rejected the message of His prophets. They blatantly chose to rebel and live wickedly, in ways that they knew were not pleasing to YHWH.
I was listening to Doug McClean and he provided more enlightenment on verse 11. His insight is not obviously discerned in the KJV. Let’s look at a couple of other translations.
“troop” = Gad — Fortune, a Babylonian deity
“number” = Mniy, men-ee — the Apportioner, Fate (as an idol)
ESV: “But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny….”
CJB: “But as for you who abandon ADONAI, who forget my holy mountain, who prepare a table for a Gad, a god of luck, and fill bowls of mixed wine for Meni, a god of destiny….”
McClean pointed out that the people were crediting their blessings to Gad, the Syrian god of fortune or luck, and Meni, the god of fate or destiny instead of recognizing Almighty God as the source of all blessing. This is another reason that they faced great judgment.
Is. 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
Is. 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
In these verses the LORD makes a stark contrast between the blessings of His servants, those who seek Him and follow Him in obedience, and the judgment of those who rebel against Him.
Servants will eat. - Rebels will hunger.
Servants will drink. - Rebels will thirst.
Servants will rejoice. - Rebels will be shamed/disappointed.
Servants will rejoice. - Rebels will be sorrowful and experience bruising, hurt and destruction.
I think the key truth being presented is regarding spiritual nourishment and joy. As we continue to study these last two chapters, I think it is also appropriate to make application to physical provision as well.
Is. 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
Is. 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
The LORD is making specific reference to Isaiah’s audience. He is saying that the future believing remnant will look back on this generation and those that preceded them in rebellion and wickedness with a curse as to the testimony they established for God’s chosen people. This became clearer when I looked at the Hebrew for curse and then at Webster’s. This seems to be saying that the future remnant will affirm God’s decision to judge their ancestors. They will understand why God chose to give His chosen people of faith another name—Church/Christian.
I like the wording of the NLT for verse 16: “All who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do so by the God of truth. For I will put aside my anger and forget the evil of earlier days.”
The new name for God’s chosen people of faith will identify a body of people made up of both Jew and Gentile—people from all nations. Thus, the address of verse 16 is to those on planet earth, not just of the nation of Israel. When Messiah comes, all people who enter the Kingdom will get a fresh start. The troubles and adversity of the past will no longer enter into God’s judgments in the Kingdom.
Is. 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
I think the better choice for create from the Hebrew in context would be “make fat,” or strengthen and make to prosper. The Hebrew for new states “to rebuild, renew, repair.” This is described in further detail as the chapter continues. The curse on planet earth is going to be lifted. It would seem that only the curse on man and woman for their sin will be continued—their sin will result in death, eternal separation from God, unless they choose to repent and follow the Messiah in love, faith, and obedience. The glorious blessings of the Messiah’s Kingdom will totally put the horrors of the past behind. The truths passed down from generation to generation will be of God’s blessings and provision.
Is. 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Is. 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Of special significance to Isaiah’s people, the new heavens and new earth will include a new Jerusalem, and a new people of Israel. Neither the people nor the land will ever again experience sorrow or destruction. YHWH will never again have to consider judgment for rebellion. Why? Because of His new covenant with them as referenced in previous chapters and stated by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Ezekiel 36:24–28 “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
I believe it is from the beginning of the Kingdom on to which the truth stated by the Apostle Paul refers.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob….
Is. 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
It seems that during the Messiah’s Kingdom long life will again be the order of the day. This verse also seems to state that if a person does not turn to the LORD in repentance and faith by the time he is 100, the opportunity for salvation is over, or their hearts have so been hardened that they will never respond to that opportunity.
Is. 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Is. 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Is. 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
In Messiah’s Kingdom His servants will experience…
security – “they shall build houses and inhabit them,” “they shall not build, and another inhabit,” “they shall not plant, and another eat”
abundance of food – “they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them”
long life – “as the days of a tree are the days of my people,” “shall long enjoy”
satisfaction – “shall long enjoy the work of their hands”
prosperity – “shall not labour in vain,” “the seed of the blessed of the LORD”
a bright future – “nor bring forth for trouble,” “the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring”
Is. 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
In Messiah’s Kingdom God will anticipate every need of His people. It seems that prayer will become mostly a time of praise and worship before the Lord.
Is. 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
It would seem that during the Kingdom Age all the animals will dwell in harmony and will once again be vegetarians. No harm will come to man or animal from another animal. The serpent will still be cursed to crawl on its belly, but it will no longer pose a danger to man or beast.
As has been stated several times in the study of this book, mountains are often used in scripture to refer to kingdoms; and I believe this reference to “my holy mountain” is a reference to the whole of Messiah’s kingdom.
Is. 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
This chapter starts off with a beautiful statement of the greatness of our God. It takes the heavens to provide a place for Him to sit. Interestingly, the Hebrew for throne states, “properly covered, to cover (for clothing or secrecy), conceal, overwhelm.” Even as YHWH sits enthroned in the heavens, they serve to conceal the fullness of His glory from us on planet earth. It also made me think that though we are awed by the heavens, if His glory were allowed to shine forth in its fullness, we would be totally overwhelmed. The time is not right for that revelation.
As God sits on His throne, the earth serves as His footstool. As I continued to think about this, it occurred to me that God is not scurrying about in frantic response to the events on planet earth. He is comfortably in place on His throne overseeing the implementation of His plan, that plan which existed before the earth was ever created.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love….
1Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you….
The martyr Stephen quoted this portion of Isaiah. He too interpreted this verse as a statement of God’s greatness—too great to dwell in a temple made by the hands of men.
Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet….
I like the phrasing of the NLT for the last half of the verse: “Could you ever build me a temple as good as that? Could you build a dwelling place for me?”
Is. 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
This verse starts off with a statement of God as the Creator of heaven and earth. He has not only created them; He sustains them; they haven’t worn out or wasted away.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
“consist” – Strong’s = to set together; Webster = To stand firm, to be in a fixed or permanent state, to hold together, to be supported and maintained
After establishing His position as the Great God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, He has a word of encouragement for the insignificant creature (as we compare ourselves to the wonders of the universe) called man. He will regard with pleasure, favor and care (from the Hebrew for look) the man who:
is poor – I think this is speaking of the poor in spirit. Webster includes a definition that states, “Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek.” This would be supported by the truth Christ taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This paints a picture of one who has submitted to God’s authority.
is of a contrite spirit – The Hebrew for contrite states “smitten.” Webster states, “Broken down with grief and penitence; deeply sorrowful for sin because it is displeasing to God; humbly and thoroughly penitent.” This paints a picture of one who recognizes their need for a Savior, a Shepherd, a Deliverer.
trembles at my word – The Hebrew for tremble references both fear and reverence. God’s word should instill within us a healthy fear of the consequences of going against His will as well as a reverence and awe of the One Who loves us so much to so carefully detail what is good for us and what is not, how to live in victory over sin and not as its slave, and to make wise choices instead of foolish ones.
The thought of these two verses is basically summed up in a previous verse in Isaiah.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Is. 66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Maybe it is different in the Hebrew, but these verses start off quite abruptly without much transition from the previous two. Verse 3 seems to be referencing those who are totally opposite from being poor and contrite in spirit or trembling at God’s word. They practice empty ritual before the Lord that is meaningless in His sight. They have chosen to ignore His commands and His established guidelines for acceptable worship in the temple. They have decided to do things in their own way and take pleasure in their wicked practices. This brings to mind a verse from chapter 1.
Isaiah 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
The sacrifices offered by these rebellious people were just as wicked in God’s eyes as murder. A dog is almost always a reference to something stupid or worthy of contempt in scripture; it would most certainly not be an acceptable sacrifice before God. A pig was an unclean animal and, again, an unacceptable sacrifice before God. The incense offered by those who were rejecting God’s authority was not the sweet savour before the Lord it should have been. Instead, He viewed it as though they were offering the incense before a heathen idol.
The most telling truth in this verse is that “their soul delighteth in their abominations.” The wicked enjoy their sin; they are just not smart enough to understand that it only provides pleasure for a season. Its end is death.
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season….
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death….
Is. 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Because they have chosen to reject Him, God is now saying that He is going to give them over to their sin. He will Himself be the source of their delusion and fear. That is basically the principle stated by the Apostle Paul in Romans.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts….
When I did a phrase search for “gave them up,” I found it was also supported elsewhere in the Old Testament.
2Chronicles 30:7 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
Psalm 81:11-12 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
It also reminds me of the truth stated in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians regarding the last days.
2Thessalonians 2:8-12 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This is a very sobering thought. There comes a time (that only God knows) when God’s salvation will no longer be an option for you if you continue to reject Him. In Isaiah 55 the prophet stated it this way.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found….
The implication—there is a time when He may not be found.
Why will God send this delusion upon the people that effectively seals their fate for eternity? Because they chose to ignore His continual pleading for them to repent and be saved. Because they chose to do evil, to do the things that He had expressly forbidden.
So often we hear preachers declare that as long as you have breath, you can repent and be saved. The truth of God’s word seems to declare that some people actually place themselves in the group of those condemned for eternity before death. Only God knows who those people are, so we are to minister to everyone as if the door of salvation is still open to them. I take comfort in the truth of John 6:37; not one person will be denied salvation that wants it. God has known those who would choose Him since before the foundation of the world.
John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
Ephesians 1:3–4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world….”
Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son….”
It truly makes one think. How prevalent is this attitude in the world today? In America today? Sadly, it is the predominant attitude. We have chosen to reject God as the authority in this nation; He has been relegated to a position of simply being another choice. Many who claim His name do not hold to the inerrancy of His word. Like the people of Judah to whom he was speaking, we have chosen our own way according to our own desires. We have manipulated His word to fit with our own desires. Many who claim His name go to church and participate in empty ritual rather than worship from a heart of love and obedience.
Is. 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
The prophet again changes his address to those that “tremble at His word.” We are reminded that Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah directly, but I think the truth is applicable to all people of faith who have faced scoffing from their families or neighbors. The attitude is one of ridicule towards the people who are truly trying to serve God in obedience. I think one of the reasons this attitude prevails is because we don’t always see God intervene miraculously on behalf of those who are His servants. Christians (and obedient Jews in this case) suffer at the hands of the wicked. Christians die for their faith. Those who have rejected God see this and assume that God is either impotent or doesn’t care. They have no spiritual insight as to the workings of God. They don’t understand that sometimes God takes His children on home to protect and nurture them. They don’t understand that He is allowing His people to be refined to purity in character. They don’t understand that He is using their testimony to cause others to turn to Him in faith and repentance. His ways and thoughts are not like ours. Those who are spiritually blind and deaf will never understand until it is too late. There is a coming day of judgment when they will understand and will be ashamed.
The important truth is that the person of faith who “trembles at His word” will rejoice at His appearing. The joy they experience will prove to be well worth any suffering they may have endured while patiently waiting for that time.
Is. 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
The prophet speaks now as though he is hearing a great noise from the city and a powerful voice coming from the temple area. He identifies this voice as that of YHWH coming to exact vengeance on His enemies; He is giving them what they deserve. This is a word picture of judgment to come.
Is. 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Is. 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Is. 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
The “she” who travailed is identified as Zion/Jerusalem/Israel in verse 8.
“before” she travailed – The prophet is using the illustration of a woman giving birth to explain his message. Travail in Hebrew means to “writhe in pain.” This is obviously a reference to labor pains. Because of my interest in prophecy, I can’t help but make some connections here. The Lord Himself used the terminology of birth pains in His Olivet Discourse to describe the times that would precede His second coming. Before He could come the second time, He had to come the first time. I believe He was the man child being referenced in verse 7. This same terminology is used in the book of Revelation in reference to His birth.
Revelation 12:5 And she (Israel) brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Verse 8 seems to jump forward in time to the rebirth of the nation of Israel of which Isaiah has spoken so many times, the time when they will turn in faith and repentance to God and enjoy His blessings for eternity, never to reject Him again. Israel was reborn as a nation in one day through the declaration of the United Nations on May 14, 1948. Since that time the Jewish population in Israel has continued to grow.
“as soon as” Zion travailed – This indicates that labor pains would precede the birth of the nation. In God’s perspective of time, those labor pains could include the whole of their persecution since being dispersed by the Romans. I would tend more to relate that to the gestation period, the time preparing them for birth, and the holocaust of World War II as the actual birth pains.
I like the wording of the NLT for verse 9: “Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth and then not deliver it?” asks the LORD. “No! I would never keep this nation from being born,” says your God.”
This all seems very clear to me from a position of hindsight, but I can’t help but wonder what the people of Judah and even Isaiah himself understood this to mean.
I was listening to Chuck Missler this morning and was made aware of another set of amazing calculations, this time regarding the rebirth of the nation of Israel. They are again based on the 360-day year used in scripture.
The 70-year servitude of the nation of Israel began with the first of three Babylonian deportations. The 70-year desolation of Jerusalem began with the third, when Jerusalem was destroyed. In Ezekiel 4 we are told that Israel would suffer for her iniquity for 430 years (390 years for Ephraim and 40 years for Judah). After the 70 years of captivity in Babylon, there were still 360 years to come. The key is found in Leviticus 26 where God says He will multiply judgment by seven if He isn’t obeyed.
360 x 7 = 2520 years
With our calendar that computes to 2483 years, 9 months and 21 days.
Significance – After the 70 year servitude ended, the 2483+ years brings you to May 14, 1948, the day Israel was reborn as a nation. If you add the 2483+ years to the end of the desolation of Jerusalem, you come to June 7, 1967,when as a result of the 6-Day Way, Israel regained control of Jerusalem. These calculations, if correct, are amazing.
Is. 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
Is. 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
Why would there be a reference both to those that love Jerusalem/Israel and those that mourn for her with a command to rejoice with her? To love the nation is to hold her in great esteem as God’s chosen people and Jerusalem as the place where God has chosen to put His name. To mourn with her would be a reference to the memory of those who died and suffered so much before the nation was reborn. They could now rejoice that something good had come out of something so bad.
It seems that verse 11 jumps on forward to the time of Messiah’s Kingdom. In that time, the Jewish people will experience nourishing sustenance and great prosperity from what the land and the people produce.
Is. 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Is. 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
How will that be possible since Israel is surrounded by so many enemies? Because her enemies will have been defeated, destroyed. YHWH through His Son, Jesus, the Messiah, will ensure that the land and its people experience great peace. They will no longer be reviled and hated by the Gentile nations; they will be honored and served by them. The picture is of the wealth of the Gentile nations flowing into Israel like a stream. The prophet paints a picture of the nation as a child upon whom his mother dotes. Their every need will be anticipated and met. The Hebrew for the word comfort includes “to be sorry, to pity, console.” The Lord will respond to them with a heart to console them for all that they have suffered, and they will experience this consolation in their own land.
Is. 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
See what? The reborn Israel and its people living in peace, prosperity and security. This will bring joy to those that love Jerusalem/Israel and mourn for her (from verse 10); again, the specific address is to the Jewish people. Those who see this, who are part of Messiah’s Kingdom will rejoice and will experience great health and strong bodies.
“the hand of the LORD” – This is a reference to a loving Father’s hand; the powerful hand of provision, safety, comfort and love toward His servants. To His enemies, however, this hand represents judgment and wrath.
Is. 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
I believe this speaks of the day of the LORD in which He will come to expend His anger upon the nations of the world at the final Battle of Armageddon. This is the LORD as described in chapter 63 and Revelation 19. YHWH will come in the person of Jesus. I think His coming with fire in verse 15 references His wrath as depicted in Revelation.
Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire….
I was trying to figure out how the chariots fit in, because Messiah and His armies will be riding on horses according to Revelation 19. The Hebrew for chariot also references a seat or saddle. The Hebrew for whirlwind references a hurricane from the root that means, “to snatch away, terminate, consume.” This paints a picture of an angry LORD coming with the fury and power of a whirlwind to destroy His enemies.
Is. 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Again, the fire references His wrath and His sword references His word.
Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations….
The Hebrew for plead states “to judge, to pronounce sentence.” At this point He is no longer pleading with the nations to repent and live; He is judging the nations according to His righteous anger and condemning His enemies, the Antichrist and his armies, for eternity.
The sad statement—Many will be killed by the LORD. Salvation will be available for the asking, and the masses will choose to live in their sin rather than repent and be saved. Scripture tells us that few in comparison to the whole will be saved.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Is. 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
The LORD again directs His words to those who are flaunting their sin and rebellion against Him, those who are practicing idolatry, eating what is unclean. All those that choose to reject the LORD will be perish together. I believe this is a reference to the great white throne judgment when the unbelievers are judged and consigned to the lake of fire for eternity.
Is. 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
Only God can state that He knows our works, how we live, and our thoughts.
1Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts….
Psalm 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man….
This also reminds me of the letters God sent to the seven churches in chapters 2-3 of Revelation. In each one He declares that He “knows their works.”
Although the Antichrist will think he is the one gathering the armies of the nations to fight against Jesus when He returns, YHWH makes it clear that it is He who is really the One in control. This truth is affirmed in Zechariah.
Zechariah 14:2-3 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
It is also affirmed in Revelation where we are told that the sixth vial/bowl judgment results in the gathering of the kings of the world to come against God in battle.
Revelation 16:12-14 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Is. 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
“sign” = from 225 (in the sense of appearing), a signal; 225. a primitive root; properly, to come
It would seem that the appearance of the Son of Man and His great host coming in great glory from the heavens will be the signal of the end for Antichrist and his armies.
“those that escape” – not all those who are part of Antichrist’s kingdom will be destroyed. The news will travel quickly throughout the world of God’s glorious victory through His Son. Matthew 25 speaks of a separation of peoples who survive the tribulation period and paints a picture of a Shepherd separating sheep from goats. Those who are designated sheep will enter the Messiah’s Kingdom; those who are designated goats will not.
All the nations mentioned seem to be an overall representation of the nations in general on planet earth.
Is. 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
This is another statement of how the Gentile nations will facilitate the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel to enjoy Messiah’s Kingdom. Their attitude will be one of reverential fear and with desire to please the King—Jesus. Isaiah pictures it as the children of Israel responding in gratitude by bringing a beautiful offering to their YHWH.
Is. 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
I think the NLT words it more clearly: “And I will appoint some of those who return to be my priests and Levites. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
This seems to be a reference to actual service at the millennial temple. This would be specific service to differ from the general position designated to the people as a whole in chapter 61.
Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Is. 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
I believe this is a reference to the time described in Revelation 21.
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
This is describing events that will happen after the 1000-year Messianic Kingdom and after the great white throne judgment. This is describing the ushering in of eternity for the child of God. I think it is important to remember that the prophets sometimes did not know how to distinguish the different timeframes referenced in their prophecies.
Heaven and earth as we know them will pass away, but there is coming a new heaven and earth that will exist for eternity as will the coming restored nation of Israel. Because of the decay and wasting away of the heavens and earth caused by the curse of sin, God will destroy the old one by fire and create a new one from its ashes. Maybe this will be the same type of creation as occurred in Genesis between the time of Satan’s fall and the creation of earth for mankind. (See notes on Genesis 1.) I think it is similar to what happens when we are given our resurrection bodies—something new is created from the old.
There is a verse in Colossians that tells us that God is the glue that holds everything together.
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Maybe this is a reference to His letting go for a moment only to speak the word to bring it back together as a “new” creation.
Is. 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
This seems to refer back to Messiah’s Kingdom. New moon to new moon is a reference to every month; one Sabbath to another is a reference to every week. How will all flesh on planet earth be able to do that? I would assume in local houses of worship. The Hebrew for the word before has enough variety in its reference to accommodate this understanding. It’s like referencing how we come before God in prayer now.
Is. 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
This is another very sobering statement. It would seem to be a literal reference (“look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed”) to the remains of those of the destroyed armies of Antichrist. Jesus used these same words in reference to hell in the book of Mark.
Mark 9:43-48 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
I do understand that this would be an abhorrent (repulsive, object of aversion) sight.
I know there is a verse in Revelation that reveals that the “holy angels” will observe those in hell.
Revelation 14:10-11 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
This isn’t a verse about which I really care to have complete enlightenment.