Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:1-21 . THE PEACEFUL DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEW: THE UNGODLINESS OF THE MANY: A BELIEVING REMNANT SHALL SURVIVE THE GENERAL JUDGMENTS OF THE NATION, AND BE RESTORED BY HIM WHO CREATES PEACE.

In the midst of the excesses of the unfaithful watchmen ( Isaiah 56:10 Isaiah 56:11 Isaiah 56:12 ), most of the few that are godly perish: partly by vexation at the prevailing ungodliness; partly by violent death in persecution: prophetical of the persecuting times of Manasseh, before God's judgments in causing the captivity in Babylon; and again those in the last age of the Church, before the final judgments on the apostasy ( 2 Kings 21:16 , Matthew 23:29-35 Matthew 23:37 , Revelation 11:17 ). The Hebrew for "perisheth," and "is taken away," expresses a violent death ( Micah 7:2 ).

1. no man layeth it to heart--as a public calamity.
merciful men--rather, godly men; the subjects of mercy.
none considering--namely, what was the design of Providence in removing the godly.
from the evil--Hebrew, from the face of the evil, that is, both from the moral evil on every side ( Isaiah 56:10-12 ), and from the evils about to come in punishment of the national sins, foreign invasions, &c. ( Isaiah 56:9 , 57:13 ). So Ahijah's death is represented as a blessing conferred on him by God for his piety ( 1 Kings 14:10-13 ; see also 2 Kings 22:20 ).

2. Or, "he entereth into peace"; in contrast to the persecutions which he suffered in this world ( Job 3:13 Job 3:17 ). The Margin not so well translates, "he shall go in peace" ( Psalms 37:37 , Luke 2:29 ).
rest--the calm rest of their bodies in their graves (called "beds," 2 Chronicles 16:14 ; compare Isaiah 14:18 ; because they "sleep" in them, with the certainty of awakening at the resurrection, 1 Thessalonians 4:14 ) is the emblem of the eternal "rest" ( Hebrews 4:9 , Revelation 14:13 ).
each one walking in . . . uprightness--This clause defines the character of those who at death "rest in their beds," namely, all who walk uprightly.

3. But . . . ye--In contrast to "the righteous" and their end, he announces to the unbelieving Jews their doom.
sons of the sorceress--that is, ye that are addicted to sorcery: this was connected with the worship of false gods ( 2 Kings 21:6 ). No insult is greater to an Oriental than any slur cast on his mother ( 1 Samuel 20:30 , Job 30:8 ).
seed of the adulterer--Spiritual adultery is meant: idolatry and apostasy ( Matthew 16:4 ).

4. sport yourselves--make a mock ( Isaiah 66:5 ). Are ye aware of the glory of Him whom you mock, by mocking His servants ("the righteous," Isaiah 57:1 )? ( 2 Chronicles 36:16 ).
make . . . wide month--( Psalms 22:7 Psalms 22:13 , 35:21 , Lamentations 2:16 ).
children of transgression, &c.--not merely children of transgressors, and a seed of false parents, but of transgression and falsehood itself, utterly unfaithful to God.