Reading for July 24th

Read Isaiah 65.1-7, In 65.1-25: The promise of new heavens and a new earth. In verses 1-7: Chapters 63-66 carry forward the essential message of Isaiah's prophecies into the new age that came with the return from exile. Idolatry marked a relapse into indifference to God. The strange and crude rites described in vv. 3-4 were designed to conjure up and manipulate magical power. The belief that strange foods (magic potions) to make themselves holy (v. 5), and thereby gain power to harm or heal others, represented a very ancient (v. 7) and superstitious tradition. Comments or Questions..