Isaiah 57:16

16 I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, because then human life would grow weak. Human beings, whom I created, would die.

Isaiah 57:16 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever
By afflictive providences; with the humble and contrite, the end being in a great measure answered by their humiliation and contrition; when God afflicts his people, it shows that he has a controversy with them, for their good, and his own glory; and when these ends are obtained, he will carry it on no longer: neither will I be always wroth;
as he seems to be in the apprehensions of his people, when he either hides his face from them, or chastises them with a rod of affliction: for the spirit should fail before me;
the spirit of the afflicted, which not being able to bear up any longer under the affliction, would sink and faint, or be "overwhelmed", as the word ^F3 signifies: and the souls which I have made;
which are of God's immediate creation, and which are also renewed by his grace, and made new creatures. The proselytes Abraham made are called the souls he made in Haran, ( Genesis 12:5 ) , much more may this be said of the Father of spirits, the author both of the old and new creation. The Lord knowing the weakness of the human frame, therefore restrains his hand, or moderates or removes the affliction; see a like reason in ( Psalms 78:38 ) ( Psalms 103:9 Psalms 103:13 Psalms 103:14 ) , the last days of trouble to God's people, which will be the time of the slaying of the witnesses, will be such that if they are not shortened, no flesh can be saved, but for the elect's sake they will be shortened, ( Matthew 24:22 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Pwjey) "obrueretur", Junius & Tremellius, Vitriuga; "in deliquium incideret", Piscator, Gataker.

Isaiah 57:16 In-Context

14 Someone will say, "Build a road! Build a road! Prepare the way! Make the way clear for my people."

15 And this is the reason: God lives forever and is holy. He is high and lifted up. He says, "I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are sad and humble. I give new life to those who are humble and to those whose hearts are broken.

16 I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, because then human life would grow weak. Human beings, whom I created, would die.

17 I was angry because they were dishonest in order to make money. I punished them and turned away from them in anger, but they continued to do evil.

18 I have seen what they have done, but I will heal them. I will guide them and comfort them and those who felt sad for them. They will all praise me.