.66:1-6.

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Attitudes towards ritual (Isa 66:1-6)

This chapter continues the contrast between the majority of Israel who were the people of God in name only, and the godly minority who were his true people. The returning exiles were glad to hear that the temple was to be rebuilt, but the prophet reminds them that they are mistaken if they think that God’s sole dwelling place is a temple. God dwells everywhere. They are also mistaken if they think that God’s chief requirement for people is that they carry out religious ceremonies.

What God most desires is their humble acknowledgment of sin and their genuine repentance (Isa 66:1-2).

Without this humble attitude of heart, killing an innocent animal in sacrifice is as bad as killing a person; presenting holy offerings is as bad as presenting unclean things; so-called worship of God is as bad as worship of idols. Correct religious ritual, without obedience in the common things of everyday life, will not help a person escape the judgment of God (Isa 66:3-4).

Genuine believers, who emphasize that to fear God is more important than to be ritually correct, are excluded from the religious ceremonies by the ritualists. They are mocked with the challenge to show openly that God is on their side (Isa 66:5).

God’s judgment on these sinners will begin at the very place where they mock him, the temple (Isa 66:6).