Condemnation of False Worship
February 25, 2020
Commentary
God is pictured figuratively as sitting on a throne (v. 1) with the earth as His footstool (Acts 7:49). Because of His majesty no one can build a house for Him to dwell in (1 Kings 8:27). He is the Creator (v. 2). Yet what He values above His inanimate Creation are people who are humble and contrite (Isa. 57:15) and who follow His word. In one way or another, this has been Isaiah’s message throughout this book. God wants His people to follow the truth He has revealed to them. For Israel that was primarily the Mosaic Covenant. Pointing the people back to the Word of God, Isaiah was indicating that they needed to obey it if they were to enjoy His blessings.
The strange comparisons indicate that the people’s religious sacrifices and offerings were only external ritual (vv. 3-6). In their hearts the people were murderers, perverts of God’s dietary laws (Lev. 11:7), and idolaters. In reality they were going their own ways (Isa. 53:6) rather than the Lord’s way. Therefore, harsh judgment would come. People in Israel who professed to know the Lord but who actually hated and discriminated against God’s people would be shamed by His discipline when the temple would be destroyed by the Babylonians.
Israel’s return to the land will be so remarkably quick that it will be like a woman giving birth to a son before or as soon as she has any labor … pains (vv. 7-9)! God does not start something and leave it unfinished. As surely as a woman’s womb opens, not closes, for delivery, so God will do for Jerusalem what He has set out to do. This then is cause for rejoicing.
Application
Lord, help me to not be so quick to condemn but to complement people for good qualities.
Isaiah 66:1– 9 (NET)
1 This is what the Lord says: “The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I will rest?
2 My hand made them; that is how they came to be,” says the Lord. “I show special favor to the humble and contrite, who respect what I have to say.
3 The one who slaughters a bull also strikes down a man; the one who sacrifices a lamb also breaks a dog’s neck; the one who presents an offering includes pig’s blood with it; the one who offers incense also praises an idol. They have decided to behave this way; they enjoy these disgusting practices.
4 So I will choose severe punishment for them; I will bring on them what they dread, because I called, and no one responded. I spoke and they did not listen. They did evil before me; they chose to do what displeases me.”
5 Listen to the Lord’s message, you who respect his word! “Your countrymen, who hate you and exclude you, supposedly for the sake of my name, say, ‘May the Lord be glorified, then we will witness your joy.’ But they will be put to shame.
6 The sound of battle comes from the city; the sound comes from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord paying back his enemies.
7 Before she goes into labor, she gives birth! Before her contractions begin, she delivers a boy!
8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen this? Can a country be brought forth in one day? Can a nation be born in a single moment? Yet as soon as Zion goes into labor she gives birth to sons!
9 Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and then not deliver it?” asks the Lord. “Or do I bring a baby to the point of delivery and then hold it back?” asks your God.
Illustration: Acceptance Does What Condemnation Can’t do
“To accept people is to be for them. It is to recognize that it is a very good thing that these people are alive, and to long for the best for them. It does not, of course mean to approve of everything they do. It means to continue to want what is best for their souls no matter what they do.” AND – after comparing the difference in the way Jesus and the teachers of the law dealt with the woman caught in adultery (they wanted to throw stones, he accepted her and said ‘go and sin no more) he writes; “Amazingly enough radical acceptance does what condemnation and being judgmental could not do: produce a changed life…” (Steve Malone – Sermon Central).