Isaiah Chapter 66

At a Glance

  • Isaiah 66 closes the book with a climactic vision of divine sovereignty, judgment, and universal worship.
  • The narrative shifts to a sweeping eschatological panorama: a future where a remnant will rejoice in the Lord, and where a dawning moment of divine reversal brings joy to those who mourn for Zion.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • As the book’s finale, Isaiah 66 encapsulates the prophetic hope in a grand, panoramic style.
  • - The True Center: God’s presence as the ultimate sanctuary, not a physical building.

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 66 closes the book with a climactic vision of divine sovereignty, judgment, and universal worship. The Lord asserts that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool, and questions where a house could be built to confine the divine presence. The key premise emerges clearly: God looks with favor on the humble and contrite, those who tremble at His word. The chapter then contrasts genuine devotion with hollow ritual, declaring that ceremonial offerings and religious displays without a corresponding life of justice and mercy are abhorrent to God.

The narrative shifts to a sweeping eschatological panorama: a future where a remnant will rejoice in the Lord, and where a dawning moment of divine reversal brings joy to those who mourn for Zion. The passage emphasizes the paradox of human earnestness and divine mercy—the one who fears the Lord will see God’s salvation. The prophetic voice underscores God’s verdict on nations and peoples, while also offering a tender cadence of consolation for the faithful who remain patient and faithful under the test of trial. The closing verses celebrate the fresh birth of a new community and the fulfillment of Zion’s longing, culminating in a vision of universal praise and abundant life in God’s kingdom.

Historical & Literary Context

As the book’s finale, Isaiah 66 encapsulates the prophetic hope in a grand, panoramic style. It synthesizes themes from earlier chapters—divine judgment, the call to authentic worship, and the promise of restoration—into a universal verdict that reaches beyond Israel to all nations. The text uses prophetic satire, irony, and stark imagery to address both the religious leaders and the common people, inviting a reorientation toward God’s priorities.

Key Themes

- The True Center: God’s presence as the ultimate sanctuary, not a physical building.

- Humble Worship vs. Ritualism: God values the heart’s posture more than outward offerings.

- Judgment and Universal Blessing: A broad scope of God’s justice and mercy across nations.

- Birth and Renewal: A fresh creation—new life for Zion and a regenerated world.

- Fear of the Lord and Reverence for God’s Word: The transformative effect of divine reverence on life.

Modern Application

Isaiah 66 speaks with striking clarity to contemporary faith communities. It challenges believers to test whether their worship and religious activity translate into acts of mercy, justice, and humble service. The text invites churches to rethink sacred spaces as places of mission rather than mere ritual—the conviction that God’s presence does not dwell in a building alone but among people who live out God’s reign in daily life.

The chapter’s hopeful note about a universal, joyful worship can inspire interfaith dialogue, cross-cultural outreach, and inclusive community life that honors the vulnerable. It also serves as a sober reminder: neglecting mercy or ignoring the marginalized incurs divine dissatisfaction, while a life aligned with God’s purposes yields life-giving results for both the church and the wider world.

- Micah 6 (true worship and justice)

- Joel 2 (the day of the Lord and restoration)

- Luke 13 (reversals and mercy among the humble)

- Revelation 21–22 (new creation and universal worship)

Recommended Personas

- Jesus (as the embodied fulfillment of the Father’s will and the source of true worship)

- Paul (on the church as the new temple and mission to the nations)

- Jeremiah or Ezekiel (as prophetic voices of judgment, consolation, and future hope)

Chapter Text

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

6

A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

7

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

13

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

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.

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.

16

For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

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.

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.

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.

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.

21

And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.

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.

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.

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.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Isaiah Chapter 66 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

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