Isaiah 66
God is full of grace and mercy! He looks upon the humble with favor, and He is eager to provide for and restore those who trust in Him.
This passage from Isaiah was written during a time of great upheaval and crisis in ancient Israel. The nation was facing a number of challenges, including political instability, economic hardship, and foreign invasion. Many people were feeling disillusioned and discouraged, and there was a sense of uncertainty and fear about the future. In this context, God tells His people that though their present circumstances look grim, He will certainly restore and renew them.
Read Isaiah 66:1-4:
- Have you ever been discouraged by thinking that your worship of God wasn’t “good enough” for Him?
- What are some ideas about worshiping God that get challenged here?
- According to these verses, what kind of person does God look favorably on?
Read Isaiah 66:5-17:
- Who are described as the enemies of God’s people in this passage?
- How does God describe His relationship with His people?
Read Isaiah 66:17-24:
- What part of God’s promise here is most striking to you?
- How does this promise relate to Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection?
- What are some ways this promise already been fulfilled, and some ways in which we are still waiting for its ultimate fulfillment?
Taking it Home:
- How does the idea of humble and sincere worship in Isaiah 66 challenge your understanding of what it means to honor and serve God? What changes might you need to make in your own worship practices as a result?
- How does the idea of God’s restoration and renewal of all things impact the way you view the future and your own role in His plan?
Additional Scriptures to Engage with this week:
- Isaiah 49:13-26
- Psalm 10
- James 2
- Isaiah 57:14-21
- Matthew 23
- Psalm 113