Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:1

57:1, 2 The first two verses of chapter 57 are linked with verses 9-12 of the preceding chapter. In the midst of all the sin and oppression, the righteous are swept away by persecution. From the human standpoint no one cares. But God caresHe delivers the godly from evil and ushers them into peace and rest. 57:3-6 Even in exile, some of the people are continuing with their idolatrous practices. In this sense they are offspring of their unfaithful parents, the adulterer and the harlot. Mocking the Lord, they are children of transgression and falsehood. They burn with lust in the worship of trees, they sacrifice children to Baal or Molech in the valleys. 57:7-10 It is all an adulterous relationship with idols at the mountain shrines. Instead of writing the law of God on the posts . . . of the doors (Deu_6:9; Deu_11:20), they hang idolatrous symbols behind the doors, and engage in sex orgies. They bring gifts and offerings to the king (Molech means king) and send messengers to Sheol in search of new abominations. Even when they become exhausted by their dissipation, they do not give up, but seem to get their second wind and press on to further wickedness. 57:11-13 Without fear of Jehovah, they lie and do not give Him a second thought. Because He holds His peace, they lose their respect for Him. But He will expose their self-righteousness and sin, and their idols will not help them. Their gods will utterly fail them, but those who . . . trust in the Lord will enter into blessing. 57:14-19 To the faithful ones in exile, God promises that a highway will be constructed for their return, and every obstruction will be removed. For the God who dwells in the high and holy place also dwells in the humble and contrite heart. He will not contend forever with the souls that He has made, otherwise they would perish under His anger. God did send forth His wrath against His covetous, backsliding people, but His anger has a limit. He will restore those who turn from their idolatry, causing them to bring Him the fruit of their lips. 57:20, 21 Isaiah’s marvelous comparison of the wicked to the troubled sea is rendered nicely into English verse as follows: But as to the wickedthey are as the sea, Storm-tossed, nor able to rest, But its waters are ever upheaving, Upheaving the mire and the dirt! It will be peace to the righteous but no peace . . . for the wicked.