Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:1

The righteous perisheth] Esay here inserts somewhat for the Comfort of the godly, though by death taken away in those sad times: The wicked nothing heeding Gods hand and end in it.

from the evil to come] As was the sonne of Jeroboam, 1 Kings XIV. 12, 13. and good Josiah, 2 Kings XXII. 20. the evil, in the general ruine of the State, and deportation of the people.

Isaiah 57:3

But draw neere] Esay returnes now to the surviving wicked ones; as having another maner of errand to them: in lively colours laying out their abominable courses.

Isaiah 57:4

are ye not, &c?] Deny it if ye can.

Isaiah 57:5

Slaying the children] 2 Kings XVI. 3. Psal. CVI. 37, 38.

Isaiah 57:6

is thy portion] Thine Altars, and thine Idol-service, is thy portion that thou choosest and delightest in. As God is to his people, Psalme XVI. 5, 6.

a drink-offering] Used and annexed to most Kinds of sacrifices. Of this kind were those, Jer. VII. 18. and XLIV. 19. offered to the Queen of heaven.

Isaiah 57:9

And thou wentest to the King] i. e. Kings, collectively, for forreign aid and succour.#unto hell] Abasing thy self to them in most servile maner.

Isaiah 57:10

thou hast found the life of thine hand] Thou still imaginest so to do, and thinkest thou hast found sufficient means and aids to support thee, and to strengthen thine hand. And therefore thou wast not grieved in so doing.

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom] Whom needest thou to have feared, and sought for forreign aid; if thou hadst feared me?

hast lyed] And dealt disloyaly with me.

Isaiah 57:12

my peace, even of old] My Lenity thou abusest.

thy righteousnesse] As thou esteemest it: But I so call it ironicaly.

Isaiah 57:13

let thy companies deliver thee] Thy troopes of strangers, or strange gods, Judg. X. 13, 14.

Isaiah 57:14

And he shall say] God; or, it shall be said.

Isaiah 57:16

for the spirit should faile] This moveth God, in way of commiseration to stay his hand, Psal LXXVIII. 38, 39. and LXXXIX. 47.

Isaiah 57:18

and will heale him] For my own Names sake, and free mercie; notwithstanding his frowardnesse, and crosse and contrary wayes.

Isaiah 57:19

Peace, Peace] Whereas before was no speech but of warre; Now it shall be of abundant peace and prosperity; and consequently of praise and thanksgiving. The fuller complement of this is under the Messias in the Gospel.