1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].
2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, [each one] walking [in] his uprightness.
3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, [and] draw out the tongue? [are] ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
6 Among the smooth [stones] of the stream [is] thy portion; they, they [are] thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
8 Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered [thyself to another] than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee [a covenant] with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest [it].
9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase [thyself even] unto hell.
10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; [yet] saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.
11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
13 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take [them]: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.
17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 [There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Context and Overview
Isaiah 57 is a profound chapter in the Book of Isaiah, which addresses themes of idolatry, the fate of the righteous and the wicked, and God’s promise of healing and restoration. This chapter reflects the prophet Isaiah’s concern for the spiritual condition of Israel and the consequences of turning away from God.
Key Themes
- Condemnation of Idolatry: The chapter opens with a strong denunciation of the people’s idolatrous practices, emphasizing the futility of worshiping false gods.
- Contrast between the Righteous and the Wicked: Isaiah highlights the differences in the lives and destinies of the righteous versus the wicked, offering hope to the faithful.
- God’s Compassion and Promise of Restoration: Despite the people’s sins, God expresses a desire to heal and restore those who turn back to Him.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-2: The Fate of the Righteous
These verses begin with a lament over the righteous who perish, often unnoticed by society. The text suggests that the righteous are taken away from evil, implying that their death is a form of divine protection from the surrounding corruption.
- The phrase “the righteous perishes” indicates that even the faithful can suffer in a world filled with injustice.
- However, their ultimate fate is one of peace, as they enter into rest, contrasting with the turmoil of the wicked.
Verses 3-13: Condemnation of Idolatry
Isaiah addresses the wicked directly, calling out their practices of idolatry and the hypocrisy of their worship. The imagery used is vivid, depicting the worship of false gods as a form of spiritual adultery.
- The mention of “sons of the sorceress” and “offspring of the adulterer” suggests a generational sin where idolatry is passed down.
- The rhetorical questions posed by Isaiah challenge the false security that the wicked find in their idols, emphasizing the impotence of these gods.
- God’s judgment is assured, and the consequences of idolatry are laid bare, as those who trust in false gods will ultimately face despair.
Verses 14-21: God’s Invitation to Repentance
In these verses, God calls for a highway to be built for the people, symbolizing a path of repentance and return to Him. This section contrasts the previous condemnation with an invitation to healing and restoration.
- God’s promise to dwell with the contrite and humble highlights His desire for relationship with those who recognize their need for Him.
- The assurance that God will not contend forever reflects His mercy, even in the face of sin.
- The chapter closes with a reminder of God’s peace, which is offered to those who turn back to Him, contrasting sharply with the turmoil experienced by the wicked.
Conclusion
Isaiah 57 serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of idolatry and the hope of restoration for those who repent. It emphasizes the character of God as both just and merciful, offering peace to the weary and a path back to Him for the lost. The chapter encapsulates the overarching message of the Book of Isaiah regarding the need for genuine faith and the rejection of falsehood.
