“Thus says the LORD: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?’” (v.1)
Isaiah begins the final chapter in his book with a reminder that the Creator of all things is not interested in a man-made building on earth. His majesty is so great that it fills both heaven and earth. God was trying to remove the citizens of Jerusalem’s main object of confidence, warning them that they were trusting in the temple and their religious sacrifices, instead of a personal relationship with Him.
The first martyr in the New Testament, Stephen, quoted this passage in Acts 7:49 as an indictment against the Jewish High Council, the Sanhedrin. Stephen pointed out their error in limiting God to an earthly temple, and that God desired to dwell in receptive human hearts. From the beginning God has desired nothing but a personal relationship with man, and today nothing has changed. God is still looking beyond the outward rituals of religion for hearts that are tender and broken toward Him, that wish to follow Him.
Therefore, do not look to rituals, statues, or buildings for your confidence and trust. But put them in God, whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is the earth.
The Truth: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9).
Isaiah begins the final chapter in his book with a reminder that the Creator of all things is not interested in a man-made building on earth. His majesty is so great that it fills both heaven and earth. God was trying to remove the citizens of Jerusalem’s main object of confidence, warning them that they were trusting in the temple and their religious sacrifices, instead of a personal relationship with Him.
The first martyr in the New Testament, Stephen, quoted this passage in Acts 7:49 as an indictment against the Jewish High Council, the Sanhedrin. Stephen pointed out their error in limiting God to an earthly temple, and that God desired to dwell in receptive human hearts. From the beginning God has desired nothing but a personal relationship with man, and today nothing has changed. God is still looking beyond the outward rituals of religion for hearts that are tender and broken toward Him, that wish to follow Him.
Therefore, do not look to rituals, statues, or buildings for your confidence and trust. But put them in God, whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is the earth.
The Truth: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9).
