Read & explore together
Heaven Is My Throne
Isaiah 66:1–6 shows Yahweh’s greatness and what kind of person he regards. The passage contrasts those who tremble at his word with those who keep outward worship while choosing their own ways.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, Yahweh speaks about heaven and earth, what he has made, the person he looks to, rejected worship, refusal to listen, and opposition against those who tremble at his word. The passage is prophecy and teaching about true response to Yahweh.
Isaiah 66:1–6Main takeaway
Yahweh, who made all things, looks to the humble who tremble at his word and judges those who choose their own ways instead.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Heaven is his throneYahweh says heaven is his throne and earth is his footstool, so no human house could contain him.
Explanation
Yahweh says heaven is his throne and earth is his footstool, so no human house could contain him. The next verse adds that his hand made all these things. The questions about a house and resting place show his rule and greatness over all creation.
02The one Yahweh looks toAlthough Yahweh made all things, he says he looks to the one who is poor, of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at his word.
Explanation
Although Yahweh made all things, he says he looks to the one who is poor, of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at his word. The verse does not point first to a building or ritual, but to a lowly and reverent response before him.
03Offerings compared with offensive actsVerse 3 gives startling comparisons: sacrifice and offering acts are placed beside deeply offensive acts.
Explanation
Verse 3 gives startling comparisons: sacrifice and offering acts are placed beside deeply offensive acts. The reason is stated in the verse itself. These people have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in abominations. The issue is not merely activity, but chosen rebellion.
04Refusal to listen brings repaymentYahweh says he will bring their fears on them because, when he called and spoke, they did not answer or listen.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will bring their fears on them because, when he called and spoke, they did not answer or listen. Instead, they did evil in his eyes and chose what he did not delight in. Those who tremble at his word may be hated now, but their opponents will be disappointed, and Yahweh will repay his enemies.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do Yahweh’s words about heaven and earth show about any house people might build for him?
Notice how verse 1 describes his throne and footstool, and verse 2 says his hand made all these things.
02Which three descriptions mark the person Yahweh says he looks to?
Read verse 2 carefully and list the exact phrases it uses.
03Why are the worshippers in verses 3 and 4 condemned?
The verses explain it directly: they chose their own ways, delighted in abominations, did not answer when Yahweh called, and chose what he did not delight in.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 66:1–6
1Yahweh says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?
2For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.
3He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.
4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them, because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen, but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”
5Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.
6A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Yahweh that repays his enemies what they deserve.