Isaiah 57:11

11 ¹Whom did you dread and fear, ²so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? ³Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?

Isaiah 57:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast
lied
By assuming the name of Christian, when it did not belong to her; as it does not to the church of Rome which is antichristian: this lie is told, not out of any fear of God, or reverence of Christ; for she has no fear or reverence of either; but to serve a purpose, to blind the eyes of men under the Christian name, and, with a pretence to serve the cause of Christianity, to get all Christendom under her power: and hast not remembered me;
or, "for thou hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart?" or, "put me upon thy heart" ^F24; had no regard to Christ, nor had true faith in him, nor love to him; but all the reverse; degraded him in his offices, corrupted his doctrines, ordinances, and worship. The Targum is,

``and hast not remembered my worship, nor put my fear upon thy heart:''

and have not held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not
or, "therefore thou fearest me not" ^F25; because as yet the vials of God's wrath are not poured out, or his judgment inflicted on antichrist; but, ever since he began to reign, he has enjoyed great prosperity; therefore he fears not God, nor regards man; but says, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow", ( Revelation 18:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Kbl le tmv al trkz al) "nam mei non es recordata, neque posuisti me super cor tuum", Grotius.
F25 (waryt al ytwaw) "idcirco me non times", Calvin, Piscator, Gataker.

Isaiah 57:11 In-Context

9 You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol.

10 You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, "It is hopeless"; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint.

11 Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?

12 I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you.

13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.

Cross References

• 1. [Isaiah 51:12, 13]
• 2. Psalms 78:10, 36
• 3. Psalms 50:21