Isaiah 66 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We've reached the end of our Isaiah 2024 study! It's been a year of learning together at the feet of Jesus, and while we still don't have it all figured out, (In some cases we are even more confused.) we have thoroughly enjoyed discovering more about God in this beautifully written prophetical book. Download December's calendar to follow along with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Notes" postings.

Contents:

1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & TLV.
2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
3. Research On the worm that doesn't die.
4. Summary An approximately twenty-word overview of the chapter.
5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 66:13.
6. Cross References Of Isaiah 66:13.
7. Respond to God's justice.

Different Versions

I read Chapter 66 in the King James Version (KJV) and the Tree of Life Version (TLV). The KJV is a word-for-word translation while the Tree of Life Version is a thought-for-thought translation.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):

Isaiah 66:7

• Comparisons:
• KJV: Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she (1) was delivered of a man child.
• TLV: Before she was in labor, she gave birth. Before her pain came, (1) she delivered a male child.
• Discrepancies: Was she saved by a young boy (KJV) or did she give birth to a boy (TLV)?
• Clarifications: 
• In Hebrew, either translation could work. 
• Most translations interpret it as giving birth to a nation instead of being saved by a man.
• Commentators note either translation would work: giving birth to a nation is the New Jerusalem and being saved by a boy references Jesus.  

Isaiah 66:16

• Comparisons:
• KJV: For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
• TLV: For by fire and His sword ADONAI will execute judgment on all flesh and those slain by ADONAI will be many.
• Discrepancy: Is God asking us to choose Him (KJV) or executing final judgment (TLV)?
• Thoughts: Given the context of the rest of the verse, the TLV rendering makes more sense and it aligns more closely to the Hebrew text. Nispat means "to judge, pronounce sentence, vindicate, punish, govern, or litigate."

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.

I. Remember Who I Am (Isaiah 66:1-5)

1. I dwell everywhere. Why do you think you can contain Me? 
1. ! And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14 KJV
2. ! Yeshua answered, "Amen, amen I tell you, before Abraham was, I am!" John 8:58 TLV
2. Afterall, I made everything before you existed.
3. Instead of the self-assured, I favor men who know they are incomplete and who respect what I have to say.
1. ! For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15 KJV (See cross references.)
4. I want men who do as I say instead of men who contrive their own rules and delight in sin.
1. ? What is the significance of the comparisons in Isaiah 66:3?
5. Because they chose to live contrary to Me and ignored my warnings, I will choose their punishment.
1. ! Why was no one there when I came? Why was there no one to answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, I dry up the sea at My rebuke, I make rivers a wilderness - their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering." Isaiah 50:2-3 TLV
6. Though My people feel rejected now, they will know JOY. Those who rejected your decision to follow me, will know shame.

II. I Move Swiftly (Isaiah 66:6-16)

1. You will know when I arrive by the swift justice that follows Me.
1. ? Is this Jesus - a sound, The Word, justice? 
2. (John the Baptist talking about the changes Jesus brings) And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 3:10
3. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He shall clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but the chaff He shall burn up with inextinguishable fire." Matthew 3:12 TLV (See also Psalm 1:4 and Jeremiah 7:20)
2. Zion will rise quickly and painlessly.
3. What I start, I finish.
1. ! Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 KJV (See cross references.)
2. ! declaring the end from the beginning, from ancient time, what is yet to come, saying, "My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please." Isaiah 46:10 TLV (See cross references.)
4. So rejoice, My kingdom is at hand.
5. Then, you will have exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or imagine: peace, glory, comfort, and JOY. (See Ephesians 3:20.)
6. I myself will comfort you there.
7. You will know My power and My enemies will know My anger.
8. It will be fierce, swift, devastating, and unrelenting. 
9. My judgment will extend to all and many will die.

III. Honor My Name (Isaiah 66:17-24)

1. Those who practice evil rites together will perish together.
1. ! Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Psalm 139:2 KJV
2. Everyone will gather and see My glory.
1. ! By Myself I have sworn - the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness, and is irrevocable: that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear. They will say of Me, 'Only in ADONAI is righteousness and strength.' All who raged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame. Isaiah 45:23-24 TLV
2. ! That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 KJV
3. Some will recognize the sign I will send and follow Me. These people I will send to tell the world about Me.
1. 🎶Go tell the world about Me / I was dead but now I live🎵 ("The Commission" performed by CAIN)
4. And they will bring many to My holy mountain who will offer their lives in sacrifice.
1. ! It will come to pass in the last days that the mountain of ADONAI'S House will stand firm as head of the mountains and will be exalted above the hills. So all nations will flow to it. Isaiah 2:2 TLV
2. ! In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion. Isaiah 18:7 KJV
3. 🎵I will be a living sacrifice / All my heart and soul to glorify / I offer nothing less than all my life / For Jesus Christ🎶 ("Living Sacrifice" performed by Brandon Lake)
4. Arise, shine, for your light has come! The glory of ADONAI has risen on you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the peoples. But ADONAI will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to the brilliance of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3 TLV (See cross references.)
5. And I will welcome them and honor them. 
1. ? Aren't priests Levites? Does Isaiah 66:21 connect to where it calls us kings and priests in the Revelation 5:10?
6. I will make them a new heaven and a new earth where they and their descendants will dwell eternally.
7. And in time, all humanity will worship Me.
1. 🎶One day ev'ry tongue will confess You are God / One day ev'ry knee will bow / Still the great treasure remains for those, / Who gladly choose you now. 🎵 ("Come, Now is the Time to Worship" performed by Brian Doerksen)
8. As they do, they will see the fate of those who did not.
1. ! You will leave your name behind as a curse for My chosen ones, and ADONAI Elohim will slay you. But He will call His servants by another name. Isaiah 65:15 TLV
2. ? What is the worm that doesn't die? *R
1. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:10-12 KJV

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

What is the worm that doesn't die? (Isaiah 66:24)

Generally

Represents the ongoing nature of judgment. 

• The Hebrew word is "tola" which can mean crimson-grub, color, or cloths died in the color. This same word is used in the following to reference: 
• Worms that bred on the morning manna of the Israelites who disobeyed by not consuming it all. Exodus 16:20
• The scarlet thread used in temple construction. Exodus 25-31
• Clothes of scarlet that give peace in uncertainty. Proverbs 31:21 (See our notes.)
• *So, tola represents both sides of judgment: pardon through the "Worm" that died for our sins and punishment when we don't accept His offering.

In this Passage

• Expresses urgency of repentance.
• The suffering may be purifying, like the transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly. The person feels that unrighteousness leads to torment and chooses transformation through Jesus.
• For if by the one man's transgression, death reigned through the one, how much more shall those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Messiah Yeshua. So then, through the transgression of one, condemnation came to all men; likewise, through the righteousness of one came righteousness of life to all men. For just as through the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man, many will be set right forever.  Romans 5:17-21 TLV
• For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Romans 11:32 KJV
• For this was the reason the Good News was proclaimed even to those now dead, so that though they are judged in the flesh before humans, they might live in the Ruach before God. I Peter 4:6 TLV (See also I Peter 3:19.)
• Compare:
• And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46 KJV
• And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off! It's better for you to enter life lame than, having your two feet, to be thrown into Gehenna. If your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out! it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than, having two eyes, to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' Mark 9:44-48 TLV

*Thoughts: For those who rebel against Christ, their worm will not die. They will never feel right and others who see them will know it. Their souls are apart from God and that is endless torment. They know it; we know it. Instead, accept the sacrifice of the "Worm" who never dies, who shed His blood to clothe you in scarlet robes of righteousness, who lives forevermore, and who invites you to reign with Him. Don't fear judgment; wrap yourself in His love.

Source: Bible Hub commentaries and Hebrew lexicon of Isaiah 66:24.

Summary

I am God. I work wonders. I move swiftly and judge righteously. I honor the people who honor My name.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 66:13 TLV:

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you, so you will be comforted in Jerusalem.

*Our God comforts us! In our sadness, weakness, shame, fear, and despair - He comforts us! What other god is like You? What other god would care about our hardships and step in to comfort? 

Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of Isaiah 66:13 TLV.

As one whom his mother comforts,...

• Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Isaiah 49:15 KJV
• Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:13 KJV
• Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk. I took them on My arms. But they never acknowledge that I had healed them. With human cords I was drawing them, with bonds of love, and I became to them as One lifting a yoke from their jaws. I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11:3-4 TLV
• even though we could have thrown our weight around as emissaries of Messiah. Rather, we proved to be infants among you. Like a nursing mother cherishes her children. I Thessalonians 2:7 TLV

...so I will comfort you,...

• I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who are thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; Isaiah 51:12 KJV
• He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 TLV (See also Isaiah 60:20 and John 16:20-22.)
• I will fill the soul of the kohanim with fatness [Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance] and My people [both young men and old together] will be satisfied with My goodness [for I will turn their mourning into JOY, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow]. It is a declaration of ADONAI. Jeremiah 31:13 TLV [KJV] (See also Zephaniah 3:17.)
• Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comforth them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. II Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV (See also II Thessalonians 2:16-17.)

...so you will be comforted in Jerusalem.

• Also seek the shalom of the city where I took you as captives in exile, and pray to ADONAI for it - for in its shalom will you have shalom." Jeremiah 29:7 TLV
• O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37 KJV
• I will not abandon you as orphans [leave you comfortless], I will come to you. John 14:18 TLV [KJV]
• Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1-2 KJV

*Thoughts: We are tenderly comforted by our Creator who knows how to comfort us best. His comforting is as enduring as His character: we can expect it both now and forevermore. Knowing His comfort, we extend it to others.

Respond

God is just. He values people who know it (Isaiah 66:1-3, 5, 19-23) and punishes those who fight it (Isaiah 66:3-4, 6, 17-18, 24). 

Because I do not know the works and thoughts of others (Isaiah 66:18), it is not my place to judge. I must trust that God will reward those who believe in His name and join Him in His work of gathering the lost (Isaiah 66:19-23).

I will continue trusting God even when I'm hurt, confused, and in conflict with others. I can always work to share the truth of who God is with others (Isaiah 66:19) even in the midst of hardships because I know His comfort (Isaiah 66:13). Then, instead of pushing others away, I'll be inviting kinsman to join me in the journey to meet Jesus (Isaiah 66:20). I can surrender my wrath to God, because I know He is the only one capable of making truly righteous decisions.

In Closing

God, it's hard for me to consider the punishment that those who refuse to believe in You will endure. My heart aches for them. Yet, I know You are full of compassion, that Your desire is for none of us to perish. So, my comfort comes in trusting You and Your ways. I believe Your plan is perfect, beautiful, and just because that is who You are. You allay all my fears. You are good. I rest in Your goodness.

Learning with You,

Sample these related posts:

December Study Guide

Suggested daily activities to guide you through Isaiah 63-66.

Isaiah 65 | The Wolfe Notes

Review the previous chapter. Research on practices God detests. Thoughts on a God who doesn't force.

Isaiah 35 | The Wolfe Notes

Review a chapter that tells of the highway to heaven. Research on a rejoicing wilderness. Thoughts on God doing the unexpected, healing even me, and perfectly preparing the way.

Isaiah 2 | The Wolfe Notes

Review a chapter that mentions nations streaming to God's holy mountain. Research on "that day". Thoughts on repentance, seeking, and obedience. 

Proverbs 31:21 | The Wolfe Notes

Connect Jesus to worms and scarlet clothing. Research on snow in Israel. Thoughts about the importance of building Christian households.

 

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*Image Credit: Candy Cane Hot Chocolate by TerriC at Pixabay