Question 1

What does it mean that heaven is God’s throne and earth his footstool?

Accepted Answer

This picture shows how big God is compared to everything we see. Heaven is called his throne and earth his footstool to say that all creation is like a royal room where he already rules. It corrects the idea that God somehow lives only in a temple or church building. If heaven and earth belong to him, no house people build can contain him or control him. The point is that God is not impressed by buildings, but by people who are humble, sorry for their sin, and who take his word seriously.

Question 2

Why does God compare sacrifices to murder and unclean acts here?

Accepted Answer

The strong language about killing an ox being like killing a man, or offering a lamb being like cutting off a dog’s neck, shows how God views worship without a sincere heart. The people kept the outward rituals but chose their own ways and loved what God calls abominations. So even the sacrifices he once commanded became disgusting to him when offered without faith or repentance. The passage warns that religious acts cannot cover a stubborn heart, and that God sees through hypocrisy and will answer it with judgment.

Question 3

Who are the people that God looks to as poor and of a contrite spirit?

Accepted Answer

These are people who know they are small before God and grieve over their sin instead of making excuses. They do not come boasting in what they have built or what they have done, but come broken and teachable, trembling at God’s word. In the passage they are also the ones cast out and hated by their own brethren for God’s name. God promises to pay attention to them, comfort them, and give them joy when he shows his glory, even while the proud and stubborn are put to shame.

Question 4

What is the picture of Zion giving birth to a nation in a day about?

Accepted Answer

The birth picture describes how suddenly God will grow and restore his people. Zion, which stands for God’s people and city, is pictured as a woman who brings forth children before labor pains even begin. The questions about a nation being born at once show how surprising this is. It points to God’s power to gather many children to himself very quickly, beyond what anyone expects. The idea is that when God decides to save and restore, he will not stop halfway but will bring his plan to full birth.

Question 5

How does God promise to comfort his people like a mother?

Accepted Answer

God invites everyone who loves and mourns for Jerusalem to rejoice, using the gentle picture of a mother with her child. He promises peace like a river and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream. His people will be carried on the hip, played with on the knees, and nursed and satisfied. This shows close, tender care, not distant rule. When God’s work is seen, hearts will rejoice and even bodies will feel renewed. God’s hand will be clearly seen on his servants, even as his anger falls on his enemies.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s view of ritual and true worship?

Accepted Answer

The passage makes it clear that God is not impressed by outward acts when the heart is wrong. He reminds the people that he made everything, so he does not need a house or sacrifices as if he were lacking something. He calls empty offerings as bad as terrible sins when they come from people who ignore his call and delight in evil. At the same time, he promises to look kindly on those who are humble, contrite, and who tremble at his word. True worship is about a surrendered heart, not just religious habits.

Question 7

How will God deal with his enemies and with those who serve him?

Accepted Answer

The text shows both sides. For his servants, there is comfort, joy, and flourishing, like new growth of plants. They will see God’s hand for them and will be gathered from all nations to worship. For his enemies and hypocrites, there is fire, sword, and shame. Those who secretly practice idolatry and eat what God forbids are warned that they will be consumed. The final picture of unquenchable fire and undying worm shows a lasting judgment that becomes a warning to everyone who sees it.

Question 8

What does it mean that God will gather all nations and tongues to see his glory?

Accepted Answer

Here God looks beyond Israel and speaks of a time when people from every language and nation will come and see his glory. Some survivors from his judged people will be sent out to faraway lands to speak of him. Through their witness, people from those nations will come to God, bringing others with them like an offering. God even says he will take some of them as priests and Levites. This shows that his plan is not limited to one nation, but opens the way for many peoples to belong to him.

Question 9

What are the new heavens and new earth mentioned in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The new heavens and new earth describe a renewed order where God’s people and their name remain before him forever. It points to a lasting kingdom where worship is regular and shared, with all flesh coming to bow before God. The old pattern of limited times and places gives way to ongoing, faithful worship. At the same time, the contrast with the fate of those outside, whose bodies and torment are seen, underlines that this new creation holds both lasting joy for God’s servants and lasting shame for those who rebelled.

Isaiah 66:1

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

Heaven Is My Throne

Heaven Is God’s Throne

Hypocrisy Rebuked

Rejoice with Jerusalem

Joy in Jerusalem’s Future

Final Judgments against the Wicked

Heaven Is My Throne

Heaven Is God’s Throne

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Isaiah 66:1

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

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Heaven Is My Throne

Heaven Is God’s Throne

Hypocrisy Rebuked

Rejoice with Jerusalem

Joy in Jerusalem’s Future

Final Judgments against the Wicked

Heaven Is My Throne

Heaven Is God’s Throne

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