Isaiah 66:4

Many of the people feel ‘great fear’ of something unknown. They do not know what it might be. So they give *worship both to the *Lord and also to their *idols. It is a kind of insurance! One thing is clear. They do not really trust the *Lord.

• Fear of the unknown is a very powerful enemy (see Job 3:25).

God punishes his enemies

v5 Listen to what the *Lord is saying. Listen carefully, you that tremble at his Word. ‘Some of your own people hate you, because you remain loyal to me. They laugh at you. They say, “Let the *Lord show us how great he is! Let us see him save you! Then we will see your happiness.” But they themselves will suffer great shame. v6 Listen! There is a loud roar in the city. A voice is shouting in the *Temple. It is the sound of the *Lord as he punishes his enemies. He is giving them the severe punishment that they so definitely deserve.’

Verse 5a (the first part of verse 5)

The *Temple is not essential for true religion (that is, a right relationship with God). And the animal *sacrifices are not essential for true religion. In fact, both will disappear when enemies destroy the *Temple. But God’s Word is essential for true religion. Only people that are personally loyal to God will obey his Word.

• The *Old Testament *prophets knew this. (See 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-27; Micah 6:6-8; Psalms 40:6-8.)

*Jerusalem is like a mother

v7-8 ‘A woman cannot give birth to a baby without pain. But something wonderful has happened! Nobody has ever heard anything like this before. Nobody has ever seen such an event. No new country is born in one day! That is, no nation has its beginning in a moment! Such events would be as wonderful as a woman who produces sons without hours of pain. But *Zion suffers for just a moment before the nation has its beginning. v9 It is I, the *Lord, who makes birth possible. I am your God; I do not prevent the birth of a baby. I would not bring my special people to the moment of birth - and then not let them be born!

v10 Be full of joy for *Jerusalem, all you who love this city. Be full of joy for *Jerusalem, all you who have wept for this city in the past. v11 Jerusalem has become like a mother. So now you will enjoy the comfort of her breasts, because they will satisfy you. And you will drink her milk deeply and with great delight.’