Sermons on Isaiah 66:2

Isaiah 66:2 Interpretation:

Embracing Our Union with Christ: A Call to Action (Crazy Love) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by emphasizing the importance of not just hearing God's word but acting upon it. The sermon uses the analogy of a bride and groom to illustrate the intimate relationship believers should have with God, focusing on the idea of "trembling" at His word as an active, reverent response that leads to obedience. The speaker highlights that true reverence for God's word involves being a "doer" of the word, not just a hearer, drawing a parallel to the practical obedience expected in everyday life, such as cleaning up a mess when instructed.

Awakening to God's Voice in Urgent Times (Benny Hinn) offers a unique perspective by linking the act of trembling at God's word with the ability to hear His voice. The sermon suggests that God speaks to those who are humble and contrite, emphasizing that a broken heart and a spirit that trembles at His word are prerequisites for hearing God's voice. The speaker uses the original Hebrew text to highlight the importance of humility and contrition, suggesting that these qualities make one receptive to divine communication.

Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Divine Mission (Crazy Love) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by emphasizing the importance of trembling at God's word. The sermon suggests that people often value human opinions too much, equating them too closely with God's word. The speaker uses the analogy of Twitter and social media to illustrate how society is more concerned with human opinions than with divine truth. The sermon calls for repentance, urging believers to prioritize God's word above all else and to tremble at it, recognizing its supreme authority.

Encountering God: The Path to Humility and Service (Crazy Love) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by focusing on the qualities that attract God's attention: humility, contrition, and trembling at His word. The sermon draws a parallel between Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 and the qualities mentioned in Isaiah 66:2, suggesting that a true encounter with God leads to humility and a deep reverence for His word. The speaker emphasizes the need for believers to be humble and contrite, recognizing their own unworthiness in the presence of a holy God.

Embracing Divine Wisdom Amidst Human Opinions (Crazy Love) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by highlighting the contrast between human thoughts and God's thoughts. The sermon stresses that God's thoughts are infinitely higher than human thoughts, using Isaiah 55:8-9 as a cross-reference. The speaker encourages believers to humble themselves and tremble at God's word, recognizing its eternal significance and authority over human opinions.

Urgent Discipleship: Responding Joyfully to God's Call (Crazy Love) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by emphasizing the immediacy and obedience that should follow hearing God's word. The sermon uses the analogy of Jesus calling his disciples to follow him, highlighting that trembling at God's word means immediate action without delay or excuses. The speaker contrasts this with the modern tendency to overanalyze or delay obedience, suggesting that true trembling at God's word is demonstrated by immediate and concrete action.

Transformative Power of Alone Time with God (Crazy Love) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by focusing on the personal and introspective aspect of trembling at God's word. The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal Bible study and the authenticity that comes from being alone with God, where one cannot lie or pretend. The speaker suggests that trembling at God's word involves a deep respect and reverence for the scriptures, akin to the awe one would feel if physically present on the mountain during the transfiguration of Jesus.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Contrite (Alistair Begg) interprets Isaiah 66:2 as a profound statement about the priorities of God, contrasting human preoccupation with grand religious structures and achievements with God’s focus on the humble, contrite, and those who tremble at His word. Begg draws out the irony in God’s rhetorical question about the location of the great buildings humans have constructed, emphasizing that God’s gaze is not on edifices but on individuals marked by humility, contrition, and a trembling reverence for His word. He uses the original Hebrew nuance for “contrite,” connecting it to the word used for Mephibosheth’s lameness, thus painting contrition as spiritual weakness or inability rather than strength. Begg also employs the metaphor of God’s “gaze” as a searching, discriminating attention that singles out the humble among the vastness of creation, using the analogy of a parent’s loving focus on a child among a crowd. This sermon stands out for its detailed linguistic and metaphorical exploration of the text, especially the connection between contrition and lameness, and the vivid contrast between human and divine priorities.

Embracing Humility: The Path to Divine Power (Spurgeon Sermon Series) offers a distinctive interpretation by focusing on the necessity of humility, singleness of purpose, and reverence for God’s word as prerequisites for receiving divine power and being used by God. Spurgeon uses the phrase “trembleth at my word” to sharply distinguish between those who approach Scripture with holy awe and those who “trifle” with it, treating it as a mere object of critique or display. He employs the analogy of a servant whose only purpose is to faithfully deliver a message, not to draw attention to themselves, and warns that self-display or ulterior motives disqualify one from God’s use. Spurgeon’s interpretation is further shaped by his critique of contemporary attitudes toward Scripture, contrasting “triflers” with “tremblers,” and by his insistence that true spiritual power is only given to those who are wholly subordinate to God’s authority and who approach His word with deep seriousness and awe. His use of the original language is implicit in his repeated emphasis on “trembling” as a posture of the soul, and he draws on a wide range of analogies—from household servants to the aspen tree’s trembling leaves—to illustrate the spiritual disposition God esteems.

Embracing Holy Trembling: Balancing Humor and Reverence (Desiring God) offers a vivid interpretation of Isaiah 66:2 by connecting the concept of trembling at God's word to the overwhelming reality of God's omnipotence and wrath, especially as depicted in Revelation 19:15. The sermon uses the metaphor of Christ treading the winepress of God's fury to illustrate why trembling is the only appropriate response to God's word. It uniquely frames trembling not as a sign of immaturity or fearfulness to be outgrown, but as a mature, ongoing emotional posture before God. The preacher also uses a memorable analogy of a child and a German Shepherd to illustrate the paradox of fearing God as both a friendly and fearsome presence, emphasizing that God "doesn't like people to run away from him." This analogy deepens the understanding of trembling as a relational, not merely fearful, response.

Transformative Journey: Prioritizing God's Presence in Prayer (SermonIndex.net) interprets Isaiah 66:2 as a call to attract God's attention through a life of prayer, humility, and contrition. The sermon develops a unique perspective by contrasting the "outer court" ministry—focused on man and activity—with the "inner court" ministry, which is centered on ministering to God himself. The preacher uses the imagery of the cloud and the oasis from Israel's wilderness journey to illustrate the difference between seeking God's blessings and seeking God's presence. The sermon also draws a sharp distinction between Saul's crisis-driven, superficial prayer life and the deep, consistent prayer that marks those to whom God looks with favor. The analogy of the "altar of prayer" is used extensively to symbolize the heart's orientation toward God, making the passage a blueprint for spiritual intimacy and authenticity.

Upholding God's Word: The Path to True Revival (SermonIndex.net) interprets Isaiah 66:2 as a litmus test for true revival, emphasizing that God looks for those who "tremble at the truth of God's word." The sermon uniquely frames trembling as the opposite of sitting in judgment over Scripture, warning that when people or churches begin to judge or alter God's word, they lose God's favor and presence. The preacher uses the metaphor of the altar and the labor being moved or removed from the church to illustrate how the loss of trembling at God's word leads to spiritual decline and apostasy. This interpretation is distinct in its focus on the corporate implications of Isaiah 66:2 for the church's faithfulness and revival.

Seeing Christ: Embracing Humility and Community in Faith (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique analogy by comparing God’s search for a dwelling place (Isaiah 66:2) to the expectations we might have if the world’s richest person invited us to their home, only to reveal that God’s true “house” is not built with luxury but with the hearts of the humble and contrite. The sermon also provides a detailed reading of Isaiah 66:3, explaining that religious acts without humility are as abominable as pagan sacrifices, and that the true mark of humility is not choosing one’s own way but submitting to God’s. This sermon stands out for its vivid metaphor of God’s “house” and its close reading of the Hebrew sacrificial language, showing that the value of worship is not in the act but in the heart’s posture.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Brokenhearted (SermonIndex.net) interprets Isaiah 66:2 by focusing on the metaphor of God building His house with “bricks” of humble and contrite people, rather than with physical materials or impressive human credentials. The sermon draws a direct line between humility, brokenness, and the ability to receive revelation from God, contrasting the “wise and intelligent” with “babes” to whom God reveals Himself. It also uses the metaphor of the Lord’s table and the breaking of bread to illustrate the kind of brokenness God desires, emphasizing that only those who are truly humble and contrite can appreciate the depth of Christ’s sacrifice. The sermon’s analogy of “bricks” and its application to the Lord’s table are notable and distinct.

Desperate for God: A Call to Spiritual Awakening (SermonIndex.net) interprets Isaiah 66:2 as a divine promise that God will “look on” and fill those who are humble, contrite, and tremble at His word. The sermon uniquely connects this to the concept of “humble boldness,” arguing that true spiritual awakening and revival are birthed not from arrogance or anger but from brokenness and humility. The preacher weaves in the idea that God’s favor and presence are not for the self-sufficient but for those desperate enough to be emptied of self and filled with the Spirit, using the language of “fire,” “brokenness,” and “desperation” as metaphors for the spiritual posture God seeks. The sermon’s emphasis on “humble boldness” and its application to contemporary spiritual life are distinctive.

Isaiah 66:2 Theological Themes:

Embracing Our Union with Christ: A Call to Action (Crazy Love) presents the theme that true religion is not about mere verbal acknowledgment of God's word but involves practical obedience and action. The sermon emphasizes that reverence for God's word should manifest in tangible actions, such as bridling one's tongue and being quick to listen and slow to anger.

Awakening to God's Voice in Urgent Times (Benny Hinn) introduces the theme that hearing God's voice is contingent upon having a humble and contrite spirit. The sermon suggests that God favors those who are spiritually broken and receptive, linking this state of being to the ability to discern God's will and voice.

Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Divine Mission (Crazy Love) presents the theme of valuing God's word above human opinions. The sermon challenges the congregation to repent for placing too much importance on what people say, urging them to tremble at God's word instead.

Encountering God: The Path to Humility and Service (Crazy Love) introduces the theme of humility as a prerequisite for being used by God. The sermon emphasizes that true humility comes from a genuine encounter with God, leading to a contrite spirit and a reverence for His word.

Embracing Divine Wisdom Amidst Human Opinions (Crazy Love) explores the theme of divine wisdom versus human wisdom. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing the vast difference between God's thoughts and human thoughts, encouraging believers to submit to God's wisdom and tremble at His word.

Urgent Discipleship: Responding Joyfully to God's Call (Crazy Love) presents the theme of immediate obedience as a form of true discipleship. The sermon suggests that trembling at God's word is not just about feeling convicted but about taking immediate action, drawing a parallel to the story of Zacchaeus, who responded with joy and action upon encountering Jesus.

Transformative Power of Alone Time with God (Crazy Love) introduces the theme of personal authenticity before God. The sermon highlights the idea that true humility and contriteness come from being alone with God, where one cannot hide behind pretenses. This theme is distinct in its focus on the personal transformation that occurs when one truly trembles at God's word.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Contrite (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme that God’s favor is not attracted by external religious achievement or visible success but by inward spiritual posture—specifically, humility, contrition, and a trembling sensitivity to God’s word. Begg adds a fresh facet by connecting contrition to spiritual inability, suggesting that God’s gaze is drawn to those who recognize their own weakness and dependence, not their strength. He also highlights the countercultural nature of this divine priority, especially in a world obsessed with self-assertion and achievement, and challenges the church to value what God values, even if it means being “unsought, unloved, unknown.”

Embracing Humility: The Path to Divine Power (Spurgeon Sermon Series) presents the unusual theological theme that spiritual power and effectiveness in ministry are directly tied to humility, reverence, and a trembling before God’s word. Spurgeon uniquely insists that God will not use those who approach Scripture with self-assurance, critical detachment, or a desire for self-promotion. He develops the idea that “trembling” is not mere fear but a deep, affectionate reverence and a willingness to be wholly subordinate to God’s will. Spurgeon also introduces the theme that the absence of this trembling leads to spiritual barrenness and ineffectiveness, both in personal ministry and in the life of the church.

Embracing Holy Trembling: Balancing Humor and Reverence (Desiring God) introduces the theme that trembling at God's word is not a sign of spiritual immaturity or a temporary stage, but rather a mark of Christian maturity and ongoing sanctification. The sermon adds the nuanced idea that "fear not" passages in Scripture do not negate trembling, but rather redirect it: Christians are to fear God as a loving, awesome presence, not as an enemy, and to fear distrusting God more than displeasing people. This reframing of fear and trembling as a positive, relational dynamic is a fresh theological angle.

Transformative Journey: Prioritizing God's Presence in Prayer (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the true focus of Christian life and ministry is "ministry unto God" rather than ministry to people. The sermon develops the idea that only those who prioritize intimacy with God—marked by humility, contrition, and trembling at his word—are granted access to the "inner court" of God's presence. This theme is further developed by contrasting the "outer court" ministry, which is man-centered and performance-driven, with the "inner court" ministry, which is God-centered and transformative. The preacher also introduces the concept of idols as anything that distracts from this singular focus on God, including ministry itself, family, or personal ambition.

Upholding God's Word: The Path to True Revival (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that trembling at God's word is the foundation for true revival and spiritual authority in the church. The sermon uniquely connects the loss of trembling to the rise of apostasy, compromise, and the abandonment of biblical standards in the church. It argues that revival is impossible without a return to reverence for God's word, and that the presence or absence of trembling is the decisive factor in whether God will look with favor on a person or congregation.

Seeing Christ: Embracing Humility and Community in Faith (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that religious activity, even when biblically prescribed, is detestable to God if it is not accompanied by humility and submission. The sermon’s close reading of Isaiah 66:3 presents the radical idea that God equates empty religious ritual with outright sin, and that the true test of humility is whether one chooses God’s way over their own, even in secret desires. This theme is developed with a warning that self-chosen religious acts are as offensive to God as pagan idolatry, a sharp and unusual application.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Brokenhearted (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme that God’s presence and revelation are reserved for the humble and contrite, not the clever or powerful. The sermon adds a fresh angle by applying this to church life, arguing that God deliberately chooses the “foolish,” “weak,” and “despised” to shame the wise, and that genuine Christian community must value and seek out the humble and broken, not just the impressive or educated. The preacher’s personal testimony about ministry among the poor and the application to church fellowship are distinctive.

Desperate for God: A Call to Spiritual Awakening (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that spiritual revival and the filling of the Holy Spirit are only possible for those who are desperate, broken, and humble. The sermon adds a new facet by coining the term “humble boldness,” describing it as a zeal for truth that is rooted in brokenness rather than arrogance. The preacher insists that all true spiritual awakenings are “birthed in the womb of brokenness,” and that God’s favor is for those who tremble at His word, not those who are merely angry or self-assured. This nuanced distinction between boldness rooted in humility versus boldness rooted in pride is a fresh theological contribution.

Isaiah 66:2 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Contrite (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by referencing the dedication of Solomon’s temple and the ancient Near Eastern understanding of temples as dwelling places for deities. Begg notes that Isaiah’s audience would have been familiar with the grandeur of the temple and the temptation to equate God’s presence with physical structures. He explains that Isaiah’s message subverts this expectation by declaring that God cannot be contained by human buildings and that His true “resting place” is with the humble and contrite. Begg also references the social context of humility in the ancient world, where the humble were those at the bottom of the social hierarchy, and connects this to the religious context of taking the lowest place before and for God.

Embracing Humility: The Path to Divine Power (Spurgeon Sermon Series) offers contextual insight into the religious climate of Spurgeon’s day, critiquing the rise of critical approaches to Scripture and the tendency to treat the Bible as a subject for intellectual debate rather than as the living word of God. Spurgeon’s references to “triflers” and “critics” reflect the 19th-century context of increasing biblical criticism and the erosion of reverence for Scripture among both clergy and laity. He also alludes to the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, drawing analogies between ritual purity and the spiritual purity required for effective ministry.

Transformative Journey: Prioritizing God's Presence in Prayer (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by referencing the Levitical priesthood and the distinction between the "outer court" and "inner court" in the temple, as described in Ezekiel 44. The sermon explains that in biblical times, only those priests who remained faithful and did not follow idols were allowed to minister in the inner sanctuary, symbolizing direct access to God's presence. The preacher draws a parallel between this Old Testament context and the contemporary church, arguing that many modern ministers are confined to "outer court" activities because of idolatry and lack of true intimacy with God. The sermon also references the wilderness journey of Israel, using the movement of the cloud and the temptation to remain at the oasis as a metaphor for following God's presence rather than settling for comfort or blessings.

Upholding God's Word: The Path to True Revival (SermonIndex.net) offers historical insight by recounting the reforms of King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles, who restored the temple, reestablished proper worship, and removed false altars after a period of apostasy under King Ahaz. The sermon uses this historical episode to illustrate the consequences of abandoning reverence for God's word and the process of true revival, drawing a direct line from the biblical narrative to the present-day church's need for reform and restoration.

Seeing Christ: Embracing Humility and Community in Faith (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by explaining the sacrificial system referenced in Isaiah 66:3, noting that the ox, lamb, and grain offerings were prescribed by God in the Torah as acts of worship. The sermon highlights the shocking nature of Isaiah’s pronouncement that these acts, when performed without humility, are as abhorrent as murder or idolatry. This contextual insight helps the listener grasp the radical nature of Isaiah’s message in its original setting, where ritual sacrifice was central to religious life.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Brokenhearted (SermonIndex.net) references the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel and the early church, noting that God’s choice of the humble and contrite stands in contrast to the world’s preference for the wise, powerful, and noble. The sermon also references the social dynamics of ministry in India, drawing a parallel between the biblical preference for the humble and the preacher’s own experience among the poor and uneducated, thus grounding the message in both biblical and contemporary cultural realities.

Isaiah 66:2 Cross-References in the Bible:

Awakening to God's Voice in Urgent Times (Benny Hinn) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Isaiah 66:2. Isaiah 55:3 is cited to emphasize the importance of inclining one's ear to God, suggesting that hearing God's voice is linked to spiritual receptivity. Hebrews 5:11 and 14 are used to illustrate the need for spiritual maturity and the exercise of spiritual senses to discern God's voice. Additionally, Isaiah 30:15 and 21 are referenced to highlight the importance of returning to God and resting in Him as a means of hearing His voice.

Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Divine Mission (Crazy Love) references Isaiah 55:8-9 to support the idea that God's thoughts are higher than human thoughts. This cross-reference is used to emphasize the need to prioritize God's word over human opinions.

Encountering God: The Path to Humility and Service (Crazy Love) references Isaiah 6 to draw a parallel between Isaiah's vision and the qualities mentioned in Isaiah 66:2. The sermon uses this cross-reference to illustrate the transformative power of encountering God's holiness, leading to humility and reverence for His word.

Embracing Divine Wisdom Amidst Human Opinions (Crazy Love) references Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 to highlight the importance of approaching God with humility and reverence. The sermon uses this passage to reinforce the idea that God's thoughts are higher than human thoughts and that believers should tremble at His word.

Urgent Discipleship: Responding Joyfully to God's Call (Crazy Love) references the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, illustrating the concept of immediate and joyful obedience to Jesus' call. The sermon contrasts Zacchaeus' response with that of the rich young ruler, who walked away sad, to emphasize the importance of trembling at God's word through action.

Transformative Power of Alone Time with God (Crazy Love) references Matthew 17, the transfiguration of Jesus, to illustrate the awe and reverence one should have for God's word. The sermon uses this event to draw a parallel between the physical trembling at God's voice on the mountain and the spiritual trembling one should have when reading the scriptures.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Contrite (Alistair Begg) references several biblical passages to expand on Isaiah 66:2. He points to Isaiah 6, where Isaiah responds to God’s self-revelation with humility and a sense of unworthiness, and to Ezra 9, where those who “trembled at the words of the God of Israel” gathered in repentance. Begg also alludes to 1 Kings and the dedication of Solomon’s temple, as well as to John 1 (“by him all things were made”), to reinforce the themes of God’s immensity and self-revelation. These cross-references serve to situate Isaiah 66:2 within the broader biblical narrative of God’s preference for the humble and His disregard for mere external religion.

Embracing Humility: The Path to Divine Power (Spurgeon Sermon Series) references several biblical passages to support his exposition of Isaiah 66:2. He alludes to the ceremonial laws in Deuteronomy regarding the exclusion of certain offerings from the house of the Lord, using this as an analogy for the necessity of spiritual purity and reverence. Spurgeon also references the story of George Fox, the Quaker who trembled at the name of God, and the experience of Habakkuk, who described trembling before God’s presence. He draws on the example of Paul (“I believed, therefore have I spoken”) to emphasize the necessity of genuine faith and conviction in preaching. These references are used to illustrate the biblical pattern of trembling before God as a mark of true spirituality and divine favor.

Embracing Holy Trembling: Balancing Humor and Reverence (Desiring God) references several passages to expand on Isaiah 66:2: Psalm 114:7 ("Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord"), Psalm 119:120 ("My flesh trembles for fear of you"), Philippians 2:12 ("work out your salvation with fear and trembling"), Matthew 10:28 ("fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell"), and Isaiah 8:12-13 ("let him be your fear, let him be your dread, and he will become a sanctuary"). Each passage is used to reinforce the idea that trembling is a biblically mandated response to God's holiness and authority, and that this fear is distinct from the fear of man or the fear of God as an enemy. The sermon also references Revelation 19:15 to illustrate the terrifying aspect of God's wrath, and uses these cross-references to argue that trembling is a consistent biblical theme for those who truly know God.

Transformative Journey: Prioritizing God's Presence in Prayer (SermonIndex.net) draws on 2 Timothy 2:3 ("endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ") to frame the Christian life as spiritual warfare, 2 Corinthians 3:18 ("beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord") to emphasize transformation through gazing on Christ, 1 Samuel 13 (the story of Saul's superficial prayer life), Numbers 19:17 and the wilderness journey to illustrate following God's presence, Ezekiel 44:9-15 (the exclusion of unfaithful Levites from the inner sanctuary), Deuteronomy 18:5 (the Levites' calling), Philippians 3:13 ("this one thing I do"), Revelation 3:16 ("because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth"), Jeremiah 2:11-12, 2:8, and 15:18-19 (idolatry and loss of God's glory), and Matthew 6:22 ("if your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light"). These references are used to build a comprehensive biblical case for the necessity of humility, prayer, and single-minded devotion to God as prerequisites for attracting God's attention and favor.

Upholding God's Word: The Path to True Revival (SermonIndex.net) references Hebrews 10 ("forsake not the assembling of yourselves together"), 2 Chronicles 28-29 (the reforms of Hezekiah and the restoration of the temple), and alludes to Genesis 1 (the authority of God's word from the beginning). The sermon uses these passages to argue that reverence for God's word and corporate worship are essential for revival, and that the abandonment of these practices leads to spiritual decline and apostasy.

Seeing Christ: Embracing Humility and Community in Faith (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Luke 24 (the road to Emmaus), using the story as a narrative framework for understanding how God reveals Himself to the humble and contrite. The sermon also references Isaiah 57, Hosea, Joel, Jeremiah, and Zechariah to show that the call to humility and brokenness is a consistent prophetic theme. Each reference is used to reinforce the idea that God’s favor rests on those who are humble, contrite, and responsive to His word, and that religious ritual without heart transformation is condemned throughout Scripture.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Brokenhearted (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Isaiah 57:15, Matthew 11:25, and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 to support the claim that God dwells with the humble and reveals Himself to “babes” rather than the wise and intelligent. The sermon also references the Song of Solomon to illustrate God’s earnest desire for fellowship with the humble, and uses the metaphor of the Lord’s table (breaking of bread) to connect humility with participation in Christ’s sacrifice. Each passage is used to build a comprehensive biblical theology of humility as the foundation for God’s presence and revelation.

Desperate for God: A Call to Spiritual Awakening (SermonIndex.net) references Isaiah 57, Isaiah 66, Jeremiah, and several prophetic books (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Zechariah) to show that the call to humility, brokenness, and desperation is a recurring biblical motif. The sermon also references the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), the prodigal son (Luke 15), and the words of Jesus about humility and childlikeness, weaving these texts together to demonstrate that God’s favor and revival are always linked to a humble, contrite, and desperate heart.

Isaiah 66:2 Christian References outside the Bible:

Awakening to God's Voice in Urgent Times (Benny Hinn) does not explicitly reference non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in the discussion of Isaiah 66:2.

Transformative Power of Alone Time with God (Crazy Love) references the cultural practice of respect for the elderly in Asian cultures, using it as an analogy for the respect and reverence one should have for God's word. The speaker uses this cultural reference to challenge the congregation to approach the Bible with the same level of respect and seriousness.

Embracing Humility: The Path to Divine Power (Spurgeon Sermon Series) explicitly references George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, as an example of one who “trembled at the name of God,” and uses this historical figure to illustrate the honor and spiritual authenticity of trembling before God’s word. Spurgeon also references a Puritan in an anecdote about conscience and faithfulness, and alludes to Charles and John Wesley in discussing the deathbed confidence of believers. These references serve to connect the theme of trembling at God’s word to the broader Christian tradition and to highlight the continuity of this spiritual posture across different eras and movements.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Brokenhearted (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Watchman Nee, quoting a hymn attributed to him that expresses the desire to serve and love others in secret, to be broken and poured out for others, and to forsake worldly honor for the sake of Christ. The hymn is used to illustrate the spirit of humility and brokenness that Isaiah 66:2 commends, and the preacher encourages the congregation to internalize its message as a practical application of the text.

Isaiah 66:2 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing Our Union with Christ: A Call to Action (Crazy Love) uses the analogy of a wedding ceremony to illustrate the relationship between believers and God. The speaker describes the moment a bride walks down the aisle, locking eyes with the groom, as a metaphor for how believers should focus on God, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a direct and intimate connection with Him.

Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Divine Mission (Crazy Love) uses the analogy of Twitter and social media to illustrate how society values human opinions. The sermon suggests that people are more concerned with what celebrities and influencers say than with God's word, highlighting the need to repent and prioritize divine truth.

Transformative Power of Alone Time with God (Crazy Love) uses the example of a planetarium show in San Francisco to illustrate the absurdity of believing in random chance as the origin of the universe. The speaker contrasts this with the certainty and reverence one should have for the Bible, which has stood the test of time and proven itself through fulfilled prophecies.

Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Contrite (Alistair Begg) uses a contemporary illustration from a newspaper article about a preacher who replaced the sermon with painting and music, critiquing the modern tendency to seek alternatives to the preaching of God’s word. He also references the cultural phenomenon of “mother earth” worship and the irony of modern pantheism, contrasting it with the biblical view of God’s transcendence. Begg employs the analogy of a parent’s focus on a child among a crowd to illustrate God’s discriminating gaze toward the humble, and uses the example of social hierarchies to explain the biblical concept of humility.

Embracing Humility: The Path to Divine Power (Spurgeon Sermon Series) employs a wide range of secular analogies and stories to illustrate his points about humility and reverence. He uses the analogy of a household servant whose only purpose is to deliver a message, the aspen tree whose leaves tremble, and the story of a Roman Catholic sculptor who found no comfort in his own handiwork at death. Spurgeon also references the practice of quoting secular poets and authors, warning against bringing “the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog” into the house of the Lord, and uses the analogy of a tradesman energetically selling his wares to illustrate the need for wholeheartedness in ministry. He tells a story about two learned doctors forgetting their guns while duck hunting to mock preachers who are unprepared or distracted, and uses the image of a mother’s simple, loving speech to her child as a model for plain, heartfelt preaching. These illustrations serve to make his exposition of Isaiah 66:2 vivid and accessible, while reinforcing the central themes of humility, reverence, and wholehearted devotion.

Embracing Holy Trembling: Balancing Humor and Reverence (Desiring God) uses a detailed secular analogy involving a child (Karsten) and a large German Shepherd dog to illustrate the nature of fearing God. The story describes how the child is initially afraid of the dog, but is told by the owner that the dog is friendly as long as you don't run away from her. When the child runs, the dog chases him, and the owner warns that the dog "doesn't like people to run away from her." This analogy is used to explain that God is a friendly, loving presence, but that running away from him provokes a fearful response. The story powerfully conveys the relational aspect of trembling at God's word, making the concept accessible and memorable for listeners.

Seeing Christ: Embracing Humility and Community in Faith (SermonIndex.net) uses a detailed secular analogy by inviting the listener to imagine what it would be like if the world’s richest man (e.g., Jeff Bezos) invited them to his home, describing the expected luxury and technological marvels. The preacher then contrasts this with God’s “house,” which is not built with material splendor but with the hearts of the humble and contrite. This vivid illustration is used to make the point that God’s standards for a dwelling place are radically different from human expectations, and that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in humility, not in outward impressiveness.