August 29 - Isaiah 66:17-18

August 29 – Isaiah 66:17-18

“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following the one in the midst of those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things—they will meet their end together,” declares the LORD.

“And I, because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory.

The first verse of this probably has something to do with some strange pagan ritual.  You know, it just doesn’t sound like this is an appropriate thing to do if you are following the Lord!  The purification rituals found in the Torah are used to bring people closer to God.  Now, while these aren’t a new idea among the people at this time – many different religions required purification rituals to enter into various ceremonies – many are specific to Judaism and are intended to bring a sense of wholeness on the both the inside and outside.

David cried out in Psalm 51 asking God to cleanse him with hyssop – on the outside, and then in verse 10 to create within him a new heart – on the inside.  Both were important to God, both were needful to come before Him.

There are too many who called themselves Israelites then and too many who call themselves Christians now that follow after other gods with no thought to the Lord God who calls them into a relationship only with Himself. 

Yesterday we saw that fire is one of the signs of the Lord’s presence – it is a sign of His glory present with mankind.

When He gathers all nations and all tongues, people will see His glory … His presence will come forth as a purifying fire.