Isaiah Chapter 57 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 57:1–2
The righteous person perishes, and nobody gives it a thought. Godly men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous person is taken away from the evil yet to come. Yes, those who live uprightly will have peace as they rest on their couches.
In this passage, God reveals why his people die upon this earth and that is so that they can avoid evil that is about to happen. These people of grace are removed from the earth, taken to be in the presence of God, and given rest instead of going through evil that was about to happen in their earthly lives.
Isaiah 57:3–4
"But you, you witches' children, come here, you spawn of adulterers and whores! Whom are you making fun of? At whom are you laughing and sticking out your tongue? Aren't you rebellious children, just a brood of liars?
In contrast, we see those that have turned to idolatry and are mocking and sticking out their tongues. They are described as criminals and liars.
Isaiah 57:5–7
You go into heat among the oak trees, under every spreading tree. You kill the children in the valleys under the cracks in the rocks. Your place is among the smooth stones in the vadi; these, these are what you deserve; you pour out drink offerings to them, you offer grain offerings to them. Should I calmly ignore these things? You set up your bed on a high, lofty mountain; you also went up there to offer sacrifices.
This passage describes the idolatry that was taking place as these liars and criminals would only seek their own pleasure and refreshment. They would go to this beautiful place along the river where they would ritually sacrifice their children. They would take smooth rocks from the bottom of the river and worship them with drink and grain offerings. God asks the question of should he ignore this behavior which is in contrast to his will and plan. While the righteous rest on their bed with God, the idolator goes up on a mountain where they make their bed to rest and they offer sacrifices there.
Isaiah 57:8–10
Behind door and doorpost you set up your memorial; then, far from me, you uncovered your bed, climbed up on it and opened it wide, made an agreement with some of them, whose bed you loved when you saw their hand beckoning. You went to the king with scented oil; you added to your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away, even down to Sh'ol. Though worn out by so much travel, you did not say, 'All hope is gone'; rather, finding your strength renewed, you did not grow weak.
The reference to the doorpost is speaking of God's command to put the commandments on the doorposts of the homes of Israel but we see these idolators have rejected the commands of God and his resting place to make a place of their own. They made a covenant with these idols because they saw what they wanted and they hold onto it even to the point of death. Though this running after idols is exhausting, they will not admit their spiritual sickness because of their false sense of personal strength.
Isaiah 57:11–13
Of whom have you been so afraid, so fearful that you lied? But me you don't remember, you don't give me a thought! I have held my peace so long that you no longer fear me. I will expose your 'righteousness'; and what you have done won't help you. When you cry, will those [idols] you gathered rescue you? The wind will carry them all away, a puff of air will take them off. But whoever takes refuge in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain."
We see that the idolators have lied to themselves and paid no attention to the things of God. God has given an amount of time for them to repent and, after that time, their actions will be judged. The question is asked of will the idols they chased rescue them from God's judgement and the obvious answer is no. In contrast to the idolator, we see those that have been touched by grace will possess the land and be a part of the kingdom of God.
Isaiah 57:14–16
Then he will say, "Keep building! Keep building! Clear the way! Remove everything blocking my people's path!" For thus says the High, Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy place but also with the broken and humble, in order to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the hearts of the broken ones. For I will not fight them forever or always nurse my anger; otherwise their spirits would faint before me, the creatures I myself have made.
This passage speaks of the fact that God has made a way or road for the people to be changed and to remove the obstacle which is their spirit of idolatry. Those that have been humiliated and broken by their selfish ways can dwell with God where he will revive them.
Isaiah 57:17–19
It was because of their flagrant greed that I was angry and struck them; I hid myself and was angry, but they continued on their own rebellious way. I have seen their ways, and I will heal them; I will lead them and give comfort to them and to those who mourn for them I will create the right words: 'Shalom shalom to those far off and to those nearby!' says ADONAI; 'I will heal them!'"
The greed speaks of their desire for the things of this world and this produces iniquity in the lives of the people. God judged them and they were not blessed but they continued to rebel. Even so, God provided a way to heal them which is through the work of Yeshua Messiah which brings them into the peace and rest of God. Once again, we see that this healing and peace which is available through the hearing of the gospel is available to everyone.
Isaiah 57:20–21
But the wicked are like the restless sea - unable to be still, its waters toss up mud and dirt. There is no shalom, says my God, for the wicked.
The wicked refers to people that persist in doing things their own way and making their own decisions instead of submitting to the will of God. Just as men cannot calm the sea, there is no peace for these people.