Isaiah57

Isaiah 57 contrasts the peaceful rest of the righteous, who are taken away from impending evil, with the severe condemnation of the wicked. The wicked are denounced for their rampant idolatry, child sacrifice, and unfaithfulness to God, despite His long-suffering. While their false gods and alliances will fail them, God promises to revive the humble and contrite, offering peace and healing. However, the chapter concludes by affirming that there is no peace for the wicked.
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The Death of the Righteous

1
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, while no one considers that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil. ​
2
Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death. ​

Israel’s Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery

3
“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! ​
4
Whom are you mocking? At whom do you snarl and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,
5
who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ​
6
Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? ​
7
On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
8
Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. ​
9
You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself. ​
10
You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.
11
Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me? ​
12
I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.
13
When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.” ​

The Lord Promises Healing and Comfort

14
And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.” ​
15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite. ​
16
For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made. ​
17
I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart. ​
18
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
19
bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.” ​

No Peace for the Wicked

20
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. ​
21
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 57

Verse 1

This verse offers a theological explanation for the death of godly individuals: they are taken away by God to spare them from witnessing or enduring the impending judgment and suffering that awaits the nation.

Verse 2

The death of the righteous is portrayed not as a tragedy, but as an entrance into 'peace' and rest. They find security and repose, contrasting sharply with the turmoil facing the unfaithful.

Verse 3

The wicked are addressed using highly derogatory language ('sons of the sorceress'), characterizing the unfaithful community as spiritually illegitimate and steeped in forbidden magical practices and religious syncretism.

Verse 5

This verse explicitly condemns the practice of child sacrifice, often associated with the worship of Canaanite deities like Molech, performed in the 'valleys' (like the Valley of Ben Hinnom).

Verse 6

The 'smooth stones of the stream' refers to nature worship or litholatry, where river stones were often venerated as sacred dwelling places for various spirits or local deities, substituting them for Yahweh.

Verse 8

Setting up a 'remembrance' behind the doors contrasts with the command to write God's law on the doorposts (Deut 6:9). This implies secret household idolatry, using amulets or fertility symbols hidden from public view.

Verse 9

Going 'to the king with ointment' refers to seeking humiliating and costly political alliances with powerful foreign nations (like Assyria or Egypt) rather than trusting in God for protection. The 'debasement' is the resulting moral and national compromise.

Verse 11

God’s long-suffering silence and patience were misinterpreted by the people as indifference or lack of power, leading them to dismiss their covenant obligations and live without fear of divine judgment.

Verse 13

This verse summarizes the futility of idolatry and foreign alliances; those who trust in Yahweh will inherit the land and dwell securely, while the idols and allies will be carried away like 'vanity' (breath/wind).

Verse 14

This command anticipates the return from exile. The people are commanded to prepare the path, removing all obstacles ('stumblingblocks') that might hinder the return of the faithful remnant.

Verse 15

This is a profound statement on God's dual nature: He is transcendent ('high and lofty,' inhabiting eternity), yet immanent, choosing to dwell with and revive those who are 'contrite and humble in spirit.'

Verse 16

God limits His wrath out of mercy. If His judgment were perpetual, the created 'spirit' (life breath) and 'souls' He made would be completely destroyed, violating His commitment to life.

Verse 17

The specific sin that incurred God's wrath is identified as 'covetousness' (or unjust gain), indicating that the people’s idolatry was often tied to material greed and social injustice.

Verse 19

The phrase 'I create the fruit of the lips' means God is the source of the message of reconciliation and peace itself. This peace is offered universally, both to the Jewish exiles ('near') and potentially to the Gentiles ('far off').

Verse 20

In stark contrast to the rest promised to the righteous (v. 2), the wicked are compared to a constantly agitated sea, unable to find rest, always churning up destructive 'mire and dirt.'

Verse 21

This verse serves as a powerful conclusion, echoing the warning from earlier chapters (cf. 48:22). True peace (Shalom) is not merely the absence of conflict but covenantal well-being, which is impossible outside of a relationship with God.

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