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.

The Death of the Righteous

1
The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, no one considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil. ​
2
He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness. ​

Israel’s Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery

3
“But draw near here, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute. ​
4
Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you make a wide mouth, and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood,
5
you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ​
6
Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot; you have even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things? ​
7
On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed; there also you went up to offer sacrifice.
8
Behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial: for you have uncovered to someone besides me, and have gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed where you saw it. ​
9
You went to the king with oil, and increased your perfumes, and sent your ambassadors far off, and debased yourself even to Sheol. ​
10
You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’ You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren’t faint.
11
“Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven’t I held my peace even of long time, and you don’t fear me? ​
12
I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you.
13
When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.” ​

The Lord Promises Healing and Comfort

14
He will say, “Cast up, cast up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.” ​
15
For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. ​
16
For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls who I have made. ​
17
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I angry, and struck him; I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. ​
18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the LORD; “and I will heal them.” ​

No Peace for the Wicked

20
But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt. ​
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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