The last chapter of Isaiah provides a complementary answer to that of chapter 65. The Lord affirms the certainty of his judgment on idolatry and religious hypocrisy among his people and the blessings of the new age on faithful Jews and Gentiles. The extension of the new age to the Gentiles is a further development beyond chapter 65 and is in full harmony with the prophet’s teaching on the universal nature of God’s kingdom.

It was tempting for Old Testament believers to localize God’s kingship. They knew that God ruled over the whole earth and that his throne was in heaven. They had also been taught that the earth, and especially the temple in Jerusalem, was his footstool. To approach the temple was to approach God. For that reason, it was important to approach the Lord with gifts befitti…