Isaiah 57:14-21

14 God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.”
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
16 For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away— all the souls I have made.
17 I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way.
18 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn,
19 bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the LORD, who heals them.
20 “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt.
21 There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.

Isaiah 57:14-21 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.

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