Judgment & Hope

ISAIAH 66 “Thus says Jehovah: Heaven (is) My throne [the seat of royal government] and earth [the abode of man] the stool of My feet. And where then (is) the place of My rest? And all these things My hand has made, and exist all these things,’ states Jehovah.”

MacArthur Commentary.- Isaiah began the final summary of his prophecy with a reminder that God is not looking for a temple of stone; as Creator of all things, the whole universe is His dwelling place.

“And where is this place of My rest?” And yet the Lord had said of the temple, "This is My rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have chosen it.”

ISAIAH 66:2 “But to this one I will look, to the afflicted and contrite of spirit, and trembling at My word.”

ISAIAH 66:5 “Hear the word of Jehovah, those who tremble at His word: ‘Your brothers hating you have said, driving you out [of the temple] for My name’s sake Jehovah is glorified!’’
Verse 5 “But He (Jehovah) shall appear in your joy, and they shall be ashamed.”

Barnes Commentary.- This is an address to the pious and persecuted portion of the nation. It is designed for their consolation, and contains the assurance that Jehovah would appear in their behalf, and that they should be under His protecting care though they were cast out by their brethren. To whom this refers has been a question with expositors.

The most malignant and cruel persecutions of the friends of God have been originated under the pretext of great zeal in His service, and with a professed desire to honor His name. So it was with the Jews when they crucified the Lord Jesus.

It is no evidence of piety that a man is full of conscientious zeal against those whom he chooses to regard as heretics. And it should always be regarded as proof of a bad heart, and a bad cause, when a man endeavors to inflict pain and disgrace on others, on account of their religious opinions, under pretence of great regard for the honor of God. “But He shall appear to your joy.” The sense is, that God would manifest Himself to His people as their vindicator, and would ultimately rescue them from their persecuting foes.

ISAIAH 66:6 “A sound of roaring from the city [when human aspirations have gone beyond the limits of the law- in the day of great slaying], a sound from the temple, the sound of Jehovah [in response] repaying recompense [through retributive measures of justice, in perfection of Divine vengeance] to His enemies [to those seeking to usurp the throne of God].”

Barnes Commentaryl- There is a remarkable abruptness in the whole description here. The preceding verse was calm and solemn. It was full of affectionate assurance of the Divine favor to those whom the prophet saw to be persecuted. Here the scene suddenly changes. The vision passes to the agitating events which were occurring in the city and the temple, and to the great and sudden changes which would be produced in the condition of the church of God. There can be no doubt that the prophet, in vision, sees Jehovah taking recompense on His enemies- for that is expressly specified. Here we may observe- that it is recompense taken on those who had cast out their brethren. It is vengeance taken in the midst of this tumult.

PROCLAMATION OF WAR ON TERRORISM

Young Commentary.- The enemies are those just mentioned, the disobedient nation that has cast out the true seed. What is heard (“the sound of roaring”) is a tumult, a word that suggests the tumult of war and the noise of battle. It is most appropriate to indicate that the wrathful judgment of God is about to break forth upon His enemies.

It is the promised day of vengeance of God, who is about to complete the requital [returning a compensation] of His enemies. From that city in which He would perform His great act of redemption, God thunders forth in judgment to destroy His enemies.