August1

Isaiah 64-66 (biblegateway.com)

A Cry for Revival, a Promise of Renewal: The Final Vision of Isaiah

As the book of Isaiah comes to a close, chapters 64-66 capture both the longing of a people for God’s presence and the faithful response of a holy God. Isaiah 64 opens with a desperate prayer: “Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down…,” a plea for God to intervene in the midst of national ruin and spiritual desolation. The prophet confesses Israel’s sin and appeals to God as Father and Redeemer. In chapter 65, God responds, not only to the faithful remnant, but also with a sobering word for those who persist in rebellion. He speaks of judgment, but also of something astonishing: new heavens and a new earth, where joy, peace, and justice will reign. Finally, in Isaiah 66, the vision expands to global proportions. God is not just Israel’s Redeemer; He is the God of all nations and will gather people from every corner of the earth to worship Him. These final chapters offer a dramatic, hope-filled conclusion to Isaiah’s prophecy: God will come, He will judge righteously, and He will make all things new.

Isaiah 64 – A Cry for God to Come Down and Restore

Isaiah 64 is a continuation of the heartfelt intercession that began in the previous chapter. It captures the desperation and longing of a people who feel forsaken and distant from their God. The chapter begins with an impassioned plea: “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down!” (v. 1). The prophet calls on God to act as He once did in Israel’s history, displaying His power so dramatically that mountains would quake at His presence (v. 1-2). This echoes events like Mount Sinai, where God’s nearness brought awe and trembling. The request is not merely for spectacle but revival, that God would make His name known to His adversaries and cause the nations to tremble (v. 2).

In verses 3-5, Isaiah reflects on God’s past faithfulness. He recalls that God has always acted on behalf of those who wait for Him, do righteousness, and remember Him in His ways (v. 4-5a). This sets a foundation for why God’s apparent silence is so painful; it’s not the norm, but a break from the covenant closeness Israel once enjoyed. Yet Isaiah quickly turns to confession: “Behold, you were angry, and we sinned” (v. 5b). He acknowledges that the people have continued in sin and that they are spiritually unclean. In verse 6, he paints a vivid picture: even their righteous deeds are like “polluted garments,” indicating that even their best attempts at righteousness fall far short of God’s holiness.

This awareness of sin deepens in verse 7, as Isaiah mourns the spiritual blindness of the people. No one calls on God’s name or rouses themselves to take hold of Him. This is a stark portrayal of how sin not only offends God but dulls the human soul to seek Him. Yet even in this bleakness, there is hope. In verse 8, the tone shifts again to remind God (and the readers) of their relationship: “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter.” This metaphor appeals to God’s sovereignty and covenantal commitment. Just as a potter shapes clay, the Lord has formed Israel; thus, He is the only one who can remake and restore them.

The chapter concludes with an appeal to God’s mercy based on His past dealings and His ownership of Israel. The prophet pleads, “Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever” (v. 9). Isaiah reminds God of the destruction of Zion and the temple (v. 10-11). Jerusalem has become desolate, and the sanctuary where God’s name once dwelt is burned and ruined. The closing question, “Will you restrain yourself at these things, O Lord?” (v. 12), is meant to provoke God’s compassion and action.

Isaiah emphasizes that God is both transcendent and deeply personal. He has acted in history and can be called upon to act again. True spiritual renewal begins with heartfelt repentance, for even our most righteous acts are flawed apart from a heart aligned with God. Sin dulls our spiritual senses, making us forget our dependence on Him, yet He remains our Potter and Father, shaping and guiding us in His mercy. Though His discipline is real, it is not the final word; God’s covenant faithfulness gives His people a firm foundation for intercession and hope.

Isaiah 64 encourages believers to pray bold, honest prayers rooted in covenant relationship. Do we long for God to “rend the heavens and come down” in our lives, churches, and communities? Or have we become numb to our need for His presence? The chapter challenges us to face our sin clearly and confess it sincerely, recognizing that no amount of outward righteousness can replace a contrite heart. Yet it also comforts us: God is still our Father, and His hands have not forgotten how to mold and restore. We should approach Him with humility and hope, pleading for His mercy, not based on our merit, but on His faithful character.

Isaiah 65 – God Responds to His People’s Rebellion and Promises a New Creation

Isaiah 65 is God’s direct response to the heartfelt prayer of Isaiah 64, where the prophet pleaded for God to act on behalf of His people. The chapter opens with a surprising declaration: God has revealed Himself to those who did not seek Him (v. 1). Constantly reaching out to Israel, God revealed Himself to those who did not even ask for that revelation. Only because of His grace did He do so, even calling out to them, Here am I. Yet they did not respond. He was always ready to help them, but they continued to be stubborn, independent, and evil. This verse, quoted in Romans 10:20 by the apostle Paul, indicates God’s grace extended even beyond Israel to the Gentiles, a theme that becomes central in the New Testament.

Despite His continual outreach, “I spread out my hands all the day,” they persist in idolatrous practices and follow their own ways. Verses 2–7 list the sins that provoked God’s judgment. The people engage in idolatrous practices and defiantly choose what displeases God (v. 2-3). They perform rituals in gardens and among tombs, pagan practices condemned in the Law. God notes their hypocrisy: they claim to be holier than others (v. 5), yet they defile themselves with unclean things. These sins are not forgotten; God will repay them fully (v. 6-7), not just for their own rebellion, but also for the iniquities of past generations. This highlights the seriousness with which God views ongoing, unrepentant sin.

Yet, God does not wipe out all of Israel. In verses 8-10, He offers hope by distinguishing between the rebellious and the faithful remnant. Just as a cluster of grapes can contain both good and bad fruit, so among the nation are some who still seek Him. For their sake, God promises blessing: He will bring forth descendants from Jacob and Judah to inherit His mountains, and His chosen servants will dwell there. Sharon and the Valley of Achor, once known for judgment, will become places of peace and rest for those who seek the Lord (v. 10).

In contrast, those who forsake the Lord will face judgment (v. 11-12). God condemns those who set tables for “Fortune” and “Destiny,” pagan deities, demonstrating their trust in fate rather than in Yahweh. Therefore, they will fall by the sword, because they ignored God’s call and chose evil (v. 12). Verses 13–16 present a striking contrast between the fate of God’s servants and the rebellious. The faithful will eat, drink, rejoice, and sing, while the rebellious will go hungry, thirsty, and be put to shame. God will give His servants a new name (v. 15), and their former troubles will be forgotten, as He creates a new reality.

This leads into the grand promise of verses 17-25: new heavens and a new earth. God declares that the former things will not even be remembered (v. 17). Jerusalem will become a place of joy, not weeping (v. 18-19). Life will be long and full (v. 20), people will enjoy the work of their hands (v. 21-23), and their prayers will be swiftly answered (v. 24). Even the animal kingdom will be at peace, the wolf and lamb will feed together, and harm will be unknown on God’s holy mountain (v. 25). This passage not only reflects return from exile but also points forward to the eschatological hope of the new creation found in Revelation 21-22.

Isaiah 65 reveals the expansive reach of God’s grace, extending even to those who did not initially seek Him, a truth later echoed by Paul in Romans 10:20 to include the Gentiles. Yet alongside this mercy, the chapter highlights the danger of persistent rebellion, which hardens the heart and leads to judgment. In contrast, humility and faith keep people aligned with God’s covenant promises. Despite widespread disobedience, God consistently preserves a faithful remnant through whom His purposes continue. Ultimately, the hope held out to God’s people goes beyond mere national or temporal restoration; it anticipates a new creation, one defined by lasting justice, joy, and peace.

Isaiah 65 confronts us with a choice: will we respond to God’s call with humility or continue in self-righteous rebellion? This chapter reminds us that God’s invitation is wide, but not indefinite. We must not presume upon His patience. It also assures us that God sees the faithful remnant and will reward their trust. For believers today, the promise of the new heavens and new earth provides deep encouragement amid a broken world. It’s a reminder that this present age is not the end of the story. In the meantime, we’re called to live as people of the new creation, trusting God, rejecting idolatry, and longing for His final redemption.

Isaiah 66 – God’s Final Word: Judgment and Restoration

Isaiah 66 concludes the book with a sweeping vision of God’s justice, His rejection of false religion, and His promise of future glory for His faithful remnant. The chapter begins with a declaration of God’s transcendence and sovereignty: heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool (v. 1). No human-made temple can contain or impress Him. What God desires is humility, contrition, and reverence for His word (v. 2).

This sets the tone for a stark contrast between true worship and empty ritual. Those who offer sacrifices without a heart aligned with God are likened to murderers and idolaters (v. 3). Their acts of worship, though externally correct, are internally corrupted, and God will bring judgment upon them because they chose their own ways and ignored His voice (v. 4).

In verses 5-6, God addresses a sobering reality: the faithful remnant is being cast out and persecuted, not by foreign enemies, but by their own people, those who claim to act “in the name of the Lord.” These self-righteous individuals lack genuine humility and reverence, scorning the humble and contrite. Their outward religiosity masks inward pride, resembling the hypocritical righteousness Jesus later confronted. God responds to this injustice with a dramatic reversal, “a sound from the temple,” signaling that He is about to render judgment, not on outsiders, but on His enemies within the very heart of the religious community. While the arrogant are brought low, the true servants of the Lord are vindicated and will witness His glory. This passage highlights the deep divide between nominal faith and sincere devotion and affirms that God honors the lowly while opposing the proud.

Verses 7-9 shift to a beautiful image of Jerusalem giving birth to a nation in a moment, before labor even begins. This symbolizes the miraculous work of God in restoring His people and bringing salvation, not through human effort, but divine intervention. It prefigures the birth of the church and the global expansion of God’s kingdom. Joy and comfort follow for those who “love Jerusalem” (v. 10-13), with the city portrayed as a nurturing mother who satisfies her children. This maternal image reinforces God’s tender care for His people in the midst of restoration.

From verse 14 onward, judgment and restoration are both emphasized. The hand of the Lord will be known to His servants, but fury to His enemies. God’s judgment is portrayed vividly, with fire and sword, bringing swift recompense (v. 15-16). This apocalyptic language finds parallels in Revelation, where Christ returns in glory to judge and redeem (Revelation 19:11-16).

Verses 18–21 paint a powerful vision of God’s global mission and the inclusion of all nations in His redemptive plan. People from across the world, including regions as distant as Tarshish (likely Spain), Libya, Lydia, Tubal, Greece, and far-off islands, will witness His glory and turn to worship Him. From among the believing remnant of Israel, God will send out messengers to declare His name among the nations.

In a remarkable reversal of Old Testament priesthood boundaries, even Gentiles will be brought into the covenant community and appointed as priests and Levites (v. 21). This foreshadows the New Testament reality where all believers, regardless of ethnicity, are called “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). The vision affirms God’s intent to bless all nations through Israel, revealing that His salvation extends far beyond national or ethnic lines to embrace the whole world.

The final verses (22-24) look to the new heavens and new earth, echoing Isaiah 65. Worship will be continual, and all flesh will come to bow before God (v. 23). Yet, the chapter ends with a sober reminder: not all will experience this glory. The rebels will face eternal punishment, and their fate will be visible to those who worship God (v. 24). Jesus quotes this verse in Mark 9:48 to describe hell, affirming the eternal nature of divine justice.

Isaiah 66 affirms that God values humility and obedience more than outward religious rituals. True worship flows from a contrite heart, not from mere performance. While God’s judgment is real for those who reject Him, His grace is abundantly available to those who seek Him. The chapter also highlights the global scope of God’s redemptive plan, inviting all nations to share in His covenant and worship. Ultimately, it points forward to a promised new creation where justice and worship will endure forever.

Isaiah 66 confronts us with a dual invitation and warning. God calls us to sincere, humble worship that aligns heart and action. He also warns against going through the motions of religion without truly submitting to Him. The promise of global salvation should inspire believers to participate in God’s mission, proclaiming His glory among the nations. As we await the new heavens and new earth, we’re challenged to live now as citizens of that coming kingdom—humble, faithful, and reverent before a holy God.

Conclusion

Isaiah 64-66 reminds us that true revival begins with honest repentance and deep longing for God’s presence. The cry of the prophet, raw, broken, and bold, resonates with any heart that yearns for God to move again. Yet the final word in Isaiah is not judgment, but restoration. God is preparing a future where sorrow and sin will be no more, where worship will be pure, and where all people, regardless of nation or background, are welcomed into His kingdom. The closing vision is both a call and a promise: God is holy, just, and near to the humble. As we wait for the fulfillment of His ultimate renewal, we are invited to live as those who belong to His coming kingdom—with hope, reverence, and joy.