Well, I'll simply repeat the God instituted the system as a preview of Christ's sacrifice. His displeasure was not with the what he had done but was rather with the manner in which the people turned it into an insincere, hypocritical system of "going through the motions" to make a big show.
As far as your interpretation of Is 65, I simply don't buy your "tree" thing. It doesn't say what you are stretching it to say. It says they'll live a long time (like a tree); it doesn't say they'll live forever.
It's natural for me to assign it to the millennium rather than to the New Heavens and New Earth since we're clearly told in Revelation that there is no death there.
No shame in that.
Well, I must say, you're true to form. The passages makes no mention that God dislikes the manner in which the people preformed the sacrifice. You simply dismiss the clear/literal words of the passage and insert your own ideas and meanings -how quaint!
"As far as your interpretation of Is 65, I simply don't buy your "tree" thing. It doesn't say what you are stretching it to say."
The 'tree' thing is not mine. I have not ever made any comment on it. (Do you wonder why I continue to suggest that you take reading comprehension classes!?!)
"It says they'll live a long time (like a tree); it doesn't say they'll live forever. "
Who are they that will not live forever???? God's people by chance???? So, in other words, you are saying that during this "millennial kingdom" (which magically appears out of no where in this text), God's people do not live forever????
"It's natural for me to assign it to the millennium rather than to the New Heavens and New Earth since we're clearly told in Revelation that there is no death there. "
Well of course it's natural for you to assign it to the millennial kingdom. Since when have you shown any regard whatsoever for what the infallible Word of God literally says?!?
The fact remains that Isaiah 65 has declared explicitly and specifically that this is a description, not of a millennial kingdom of which you simply declare by fiat to be in the text, but only and rightly of the New Heavens and the New Earth.
"No shame in that."
Adding words and concepts to what the infallible Word of God literally says most certainly is shameful!
You have no right to insert your millennial kingdom into this passage. You do have the obligation to submit your preconcieved understandings to the clear teachings and declarations of what the infallible Word of God literally says!
Jean