Read Isaiah 65.1-16. In 65.1-25: The promise of a new heaven and a new earth. In verses 1-7: Chapters 63-66 carry forward the essential message of Isaiah's prophecies into a new age that came with the return from exile. Idolatry marked 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 human beings could perform symbolic rituals and eat strange food (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. In verses 8-16: How could God punish the wrongdoers without destroying the whole community of Judah? The prophetic answer is that, for the present, both groups must coexist, but that God has reserved a future judgment to bless those who are faithful, but to punish those who are guilty (vv. 8-13). Then the very different fates allotted to the two groups will become plain (vv. 13-16). Comments or Questions..
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