“Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?”
'Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?' - the Isaiah 66:1 quotation presents cosmic theology: heaven and earth are God's throne and footstool, establishing absolute transcendence. The rhetorical questions 'What kind of house will you build for me?' and 'Where will my resting place be?' expose the absurdity of attempting to contain the infinite in a finite building. The 'resting place' (anapausis) suggests repose, but it cannot be achieved in human construction.
Church Fathers on Acts 7:49
But Solomon, it says, built Him a house. Howbeit the Most High dwells not in (places) made with hands. Acts 7:47-50 This was shown indeed already by what had been before said: but it is shown also by the voice of a prophet; What house will you build for Me? Says the Lord God. As says the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build for me? Says the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Isaiah…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!