Isaiah 57:8-18

8 Behind the door and the doorpost you placed your symbols. You abandoned me and lay down, making room in your bed and making deals for yourself with them. You loved their bed; you saw their nakedness.
9 You went down to Molech with oil, and you slathered on your ointments; you sent your messengers far away, sent them down to the underworld.
10 Worn out by all your efforts, yet you wouldn't say, "This is useless." You found new strength; therefore, you weren't tired.
11 Whom did you dread and fear so that you lied, didn't remember me or give me a thought? Isn't it because I was silent and closed my eyes that you stopped fearing me?
12 I will bring evidence about your righteousness and your actions; they won't help you.
13 When you cry out, let those things you've gathered save you! The wind will lift them all; one breath will take them away. but those taking refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.

Peace for the remorseful

14 It will be said: "Survey, survey; build a road! Remove barriers from my people's road!"
15 The one who is high and lifted up, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says: I live on high, in holiness, and also with the crushed and the lowly, reviving the spirit of the lowly, reviving the heart of those who have been crushed.
16 I won't always accuse, nor will I be enraged forever. It is my own doing that their spirit is exhausted— I gave them breath!
17 I was enraged about their illegal profits; I struck them; in rage I withdrew from them. Yet they went on wandering wherever they wanted.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them, and reward them with comfort. And for those who mourn,

Isaiah 57:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 57

This chapter contains complaints of the stupidity and idolatry of the people, described in the latter part of the preceding chapter; and some promises of grace to the people of God. The stupidity of the former is observed, Isa 57:1 they not taking notice of the death of good men, nor of impending calamities they were taken from, whose happiness is described, Isa 57:2, then these idolatrous people are summoned before the Lord, Isa 57:3 and are charged with deriding the saints with idolatry and murder, Isa 57:4-6 and their idolatry is represented under the notion of adultery, attended with very aggravating circumstances, Isa 57:7-9 and yet these people still entertained presumptuous hopes of happiness, and boasted of, and trusted in, their righteousness and good works, which would be exposed, and be of no advantage to them, Isa 57:10-12, next follow promises of grace to the saints, that such that trusted in Christ should inherit the holy mountain, Isa 57:13 that the stumblingblock of his people should be removed, Isa 57:14, that he should dwell with the humble and contrite, Isa 57:15, and not be always wroth and contend with them, for a reason given, Isa 57:16 and that though he had smote them, and hid his face from them because of their sins, yet would heal them, lead them, and comfort them, and speak peace unto them, Isa 57:17-19 and the chapter is concluded with the character of the wicked, and an assurance that there is no peace for them, Isa 57:20,21.

Footnotes 5

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