The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

66 speaking derogatorily of the Temple, but rather condemning the people of his day who abused it. They had forgotten that God looked "to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at his word" (66:2b). Isaiah continues with the words, 50 He who slaughters an ox is like him who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like him who breaks a dog's neck; he who presents a cereal offering, like him who offers swine's blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like him who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations; (Isa 66:3). The point is that God is indeed transcendent and free from creaturely restraint, i.e., men cannot obligate God to them through the means of the Temple cultus. Apart from a heart of contrition, the best sacrifices are abominable to God. Isaiah made this point more than once in his prophetic career. 51 Thus, these verses do speak of God's transcendence , but this message serves as a warning against those who would abuse the Temple, not as a call to abandon the Temple because Jesus had replaced it or called his followers to go beyond the bounds of Judaism. 52 Doble paraphrases and evaluates this quotation: "Zeal for God's Temple wa no 50 The rest of the context of Isaiah 66 is extremely relevant to Stephen' ituation . The whole of Stephen's speech dealt with God's righteous messengers whom I rael had rejected as also was the case with Stephen himself. Isaiah 66 :5 reads , "Hear the word of the LORD , you who tremble at his word : "Your brethren who hate you and ca t you out for my name ' sake have aid , ' Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy '; but it i the who shall be put to shame." The text of I aiah 66 :6 wa about to find expre ion a well a tephen was about to directly accuse hi obdurate brother in the mid t of the Temple , "Hark, an uproar from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD , rendering recompen e to hi enemies! " ha mi d ', th ur n 1 ur iniquiti p rofubtt but t p romot pr p r ntu 11 h n he aid 'Wh t t r u th b k f H br t h · n