Bible Studies
A House for the Living God (Isa 66:1-2)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. Throughout history men have built houses for their gods. Our recent trip to Israel took us to the Israel Museum where there were many artifacts from the Canaanite religions. Many of these artifacts were of Canaanite idols and the houses they were kept in. 2. But the God of heaven is different. He said of Himself, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being. But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” 3. The presupposition of temple building is that God relates with man, that He is not totally remote. He is not totally removed. 4. This passage indicates that God is radically different than man. He does not dwell in houses made with hands. Instead of living in something that man creates he actually is the Creator of all these things. And yet, the Lord looks to him who is humble and contrite of spirit and who trembles at His word. 5. These are phenomenal concepts that give us insight into who God is and tell us something about His relationship with us. In addition to that, there is much to be gained about our understanding of the temple as revealed in Scripture.a. The temple not only teaches us about the separation that exists between God and man because of sin.
b. It also teaches us that God is still involved with man, that though separate, He is still present.
Discussion:
I. God is different than us. This is reflected in the temple imagery in the reminder that He dwells in heaven.A. The passage in Isa. 66 harks back to the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple (2 Chron. 6:18).
1. Solomon recognized that no human structure was adequate for God to dwell in. Isaiah called upon God to “Look down from heaven and see your holy and glorious habitation” (63:15).
2. Isa. 66 needs to be interpreted in connection with Isa. 57:15. God is high and exalted. He lives forever. His name is Holy. He dwells on a high and holy place.
3. Thus He is different and separate from man.
B. The Bible teaching of God dwelling in heaven is reflective of His greatness.
1. There is no god like Him (Isa. 44:6-8).
2. He is not like the silly idols (Isa. 44:9-20).
3. Note Paul’s statement in Athens (Acts 17:24-29).
C. Let us not do like the idolaters who reduce God to that which is created or even worse to reduce Him to something that we create.
II. The divine intention is that God’s presence be realized among us.A. Note the contrast of Isa. 66:1-2.
1. God dwells in heaven, but the earth is a footstool for His feet.
2. “Where is a house you could build for ME? My hand made all these things.”
3. “But to this one I will look . . .”
4. God is separate, but He looks on the humble and contrite that tremble at His word.”
B. Note the contrast of Isa. 57:15.
1. “I dwell on a high and holy place.”
2. “And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
C. How well the temple images this.
1. Separate rooms—distance from God. An outer room, a court for Israelite males, a court for women, a court for Gentiles. David associated the Ark of the Covenant placed in the Holy of Holies, with the footstool of God (1 Chron. 28:2).
2. But the temple represented more than mere separation from God it represented God’s sensitivity and closeness to revive the spirit of the lowly and to look toward the humble and contrite of heart.
3. Solomon calls on God to listen to prayers prayed toward the temple (2 Chron. 6:18ff). Note the contrast here too.
4. The temple says there is a separation, BUT it also says there is a connection.
D. “But Ezekiel witnessed the presence of God abandoning the temple and even today there is no temple in Jerusalem.”
1. Ezekiel did witness the presence of God abandoning the temple (10:18ff).
2. And even today there is no temple in Jerusalem.
3. Ezekiel also saw a vision of the glory of God filling the temple once again (43:1ff).
4. Some see in this a restoration of the physical temple in Jerusalem. Indeed the Jews of today are “wailing” as they pray for this to happen.
5. Their expectation is misdirected. What Ezekiel envisioned was God’s Spirit returning to dwell in the hearts of the humble and contrite who tremble at His word (Ezek. 39:25ff).
III. The divine intention is that God’s presence not be limited to Israel, but extended to all people.A. This is what is indicated in Isa. 66:18ff.
B. It seems to be suggested in Isa. 64:1-2. Isaiah longed for God to come down and transform the nations.
C. Walls of separation are now broken down and what God has cleansed is not to be considered as unholy (Eph. 2:14; Acts 10:15).
D. The veil in the temple is torn in two and the way into the holy place is made manifest.
E. Isa. 57:15-19
1. He dwells on a high and holy place.
2. And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit to revive the heart of the contrite.
3. He will not be angry forever.
4. But He will heal. He will lead and will restore comfort.
5. He will create praise of the lips preaching peace to those far away and peace to those who are near (v. 19; cf. Eph. 2:17; Acts 2:39).
F. We are the temple of the living God (2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20).
G. Rev. 21:3, in the new heavens and new earth (cf. Isa. 66:22), sees “the tabernacle of God among men.” A loud voice is heard saying, “He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.”
Conclusion:
1. God came down and dwelt (tabernacle) among us and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father (Jn. 1:14). 2. He is the means by which the separation is removed and the way into the Holy Place is manifest. 3. Are you the humble and contrite heart who trembles at His word?
