Isa 66:1-5 Thus saith YHVH: The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; where could you build a house for Me? What place could serve as My abode? All this was made by My hand, and thus it all came into being – declares YHVH.
Yet to such a one I look: on him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.
He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig’s blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol.
These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;
Even so I will choose their mockings, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear, but they did that which was evil in Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Hear the word of YHVH, ye that tremble at His word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, have said:
“Let the LORD manifest His presence, so that we may look upon your joy”, but they shall be ashamed.
I love how the Word of YHVH is timeless; sadly this passage describes too many of those that say they follow Him today. They build bigger ‘houses’ that gather the blind and naked together to speak comforting, ear-tickling words that deny the real power of YHVH (the power that changes a stubborn, stony heart into a heart of moldable flesh). They declare His Word like incantations instead of applying it to their lives, declaring their name and authority above His. They substitute His perfect ways with abominations, declaring themselves righteous. They declare they want to see more of His presence when in fact all they really want is to be affirmed, or at worst, entertained.
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Prov. 29:18 Where there is no vision (where people are blind, lawless – Rev. 3:17), the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Joel 2:12-13 Therefore also now, saith YHVH, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto YHVH your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
