Yeshayah 57:17

17 For the avon (iniquity) of his covetousness was I in wrath, and struck him [the wicked]; I hid, and was in wrath, and he [the wicked] went on shovav (backsliding) in the derech of his lev (heart).

Yeshayah 57:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 57:17

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote
him,
&c.] Not the greedy watchmen of the church of Rome, ( Isaiah 56:10 Isaiah 56:11 ) , but teachers and preachers in the reformed churches, who mind their own things, and not the things of Christ; seek after good benefices and livings, temporalities and pluralities, and to be lord bishops; taking the oversight of the flock for filthy lucre sake; which may easily be observed to be the predominant sin of the preachers and professors of the reformed churches; for which God has a controversy with them, and, resenting it, has smote and rebuked them in a providential way; and has threatened them, as he did the church at Sardis, the emblem of the reformed churches, that he will come upon them as a thief, ( Revelation 3:4 ) . I hid me, and was wroth:
showed his displeasure by departing from them; and how much God has withdrawn his presence, and caused his spirit to depart from the churches of the Reformation, is too notorious: and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart;
took no notice of the reproofs and corrections of God; was unconcerned at his absence; not at all affected with his departure, and the withdrawings of his Spirit; these had no effect to cause a reformation, as is now too visibly the case; the same evil is pursued with equal eagerness; this is a way the heart of man is set upon, and they do not care to be turned out of it; and are like froward peevish children under the rod, receive no correction by it.

Yeshayah 57:17 In-Context

15 For thus saith the High and Exalted, Shokhen Ad (the One Who abideth forever, i.e., the Shekhinah) Kadosh Shmo; I dwell in marom v’kadosh (the high and holy place), with him also that is of a contrite and lowly ruach, to revive the ruach of the shefalim (humble, lowly ones) and to revive the lev nidka’im (contrite of heart).

16 For I will not contend l’olam (forever), neither will I lanetzach (always) be in wrath; for the ruach (spirit) would grow faint before Me, even the neshamot (souls) which I have made.

17 For the avon (iniquity) of his covetousness was I in wrath, and struck him [the wicked]; I hid, and was in wrath, and he [the wicked] went on shovav (backsliding) in the derech of his lev (heart).

18 I have seen the drakhim of him [the wicked], and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore nichumim (comforts) unto him and to his avelim (mourners).

19 I create the [repentant] fruit of the lips; Shalom, shalom to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith Hashem; and I will heal him.