Isaiah 66

The LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?

For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says the LORD: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.

He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them, because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen, but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”

Hear the LORD’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.

A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that repays his enemies what they deserve.

“Before she travailed, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.

Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she gave birth to her children.

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your God.

“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;

that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”

For the LORD says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream, and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees.

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. The LORD’s hand will be known among his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.

For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and his chariots will be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

For the LORD will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh; and those slain by the LORD will be many.

“Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the middle, eating pig’s meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says the LORD.

“For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see my glory.

“I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.

They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the LORD’s house.

Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says the LORD.

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,” says the LORD, “so your offspring and your name shall remain.

It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me,” says the LORD.

“They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This final chapter of Isaiah closes the book with a vision of God’s sovereign majesty, judgment on the rebellious, and ultimate restoration for those who tremble at His word. It contrasts the futility of empty ritual with the reality of true worship, culminating in a picture of a renewed creation where God’s glory is known among all nations and His people dwell in everlasting joy.

Flow.

God declares His transcendence over all human attempts to house or confine Him, affirming that He dwells instead with the humble and repentant (vv. 1–2).
He denounces the hypocrisy of Israel’s worship, equating idolatrous sacrifice with moral abomination, and warns that their chosen rebellion will be met with divine retribution (vv. 3–6).
A sudden, miraculous restoration of Zion is announced—her children born in a moment—as cause for universal rejoicing (vv. 7–14).
The chapter concludes with the coming of the Lord in fiery judgment against the wicked (vv. 15–17), followed by the inclusion of Gentiles in worship on the holy mountain, and the everlasting state of redeemed humanity and creation (vv. 18–24).

Connections. Following chapter 65, which contrasts the destiny of the faithful remnant with the judgment awaiting the apostate, chapter 66 deepens that eschatological vision, clarifying that outward religiosity means nothing apart from a contrite heart. Where chapter 65 foreshadowed new heavens and a new earth, chapter 66 confirms their permanence (WCF 10.4) and extends their scope to all nations. It prepares for the witness of the post-exilic community—and ultimately the mission of the church—by pointing to a future where survivors are sent to declare God’s glory from one end of the earth to the other (cf. HC LD 31, referencing missionary proclamation).

What it teaches. True worship is not located in buildings or ceremonies but in a heart that is poor in spirit and reverent before God’s word (WCF 15.3; HC Q/A 87). Hypocritical religious observance, especially when paired with disobedience, provokes God’s judgment (WCF 21.1). Yet for those who mourn over sin and trust in God’s promise, there is promised sudden and joyful restoration—Zion giving birth before travail—a picture of God’s sovereign grace in salvation (HC Q/A 52). The final state will include resurrection life, universal worship in the new creation (WCF 10.4; LC Q/A 86), and unending separation of the wicked, whose judgment serves as a perpetual warning (WCF 3.5; HC Q/A 53).

Apply. The God who dwells in eternity draws near to the broken in spirit and sends forth His people as heralds of His glory.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.