In this concluding chapter of Isaiah, Stephen emphasizes God's ultimate purpose: to dwell among His people not through physical temples, but through a spiritual house built with humble, contrite, and afflicted spirits. He highlights that God's throne is in the heavens and His footstool is the earth, but His true rest is found in the hearts of those who are broken and humble before Him. Stephen explains that God desires a spirit of humility and repentance, exemplified by the poor in spirit, who are sensitive to His Word and willing to repent. Such a spirit is essential for God's dwelling and His building of His spiritual house. Despite suffering and persecution, those with a contrite spirit will be misunderstood and cast out by the world and even by brethren, yet they are the true material for God's house. Stephen underscores that the travail and suffering of Zion—symbolic of the overcoming church—are necessary for spiritual birth and maturity, leading to the coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. The travail is brief compared to the glory that follows, culminating in the new heaven and new earth, where God's purpose is fully realized. Ultimately, God's unchanging purpose will be fulfilled through His overcoming people, bringing about the eternal reign of Christ and the renewal of creation.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.