Isaiah 57

57:1-2 This is a lament for the righteous who suffer in a wicked society.57:1 the evil to come: Judgment that would come on the wicked nations. • protecting them: At times, God allows the godly to die in order to protect them from harsher times to come.

57:2 The wicked would not be able to rest in peace (57:21).

57:3 witches’ children . . . adulterers and prostitutes: Baal religion, which flourished in Israel before the Exile (see 1:21-23), included lewd sexual practices.

57:4 mock . . . sticking out your tongues: The wicked oppressed the righteous by their insults (57:1-2; see also 28:9, 14).

57:5 beneath the oaks and under every green tree: Tree groves were commonly used as places of pagan worship (see 1:29-30). • sacrifice your children: The horrible practice of child sacrifice was occasionally practiced in Israel (see Ps 106:37-38).

57:6 Liquid offerings and grain offerings were believed to satisfy the basic needs of the gods and thus to earn their favor.

57:8 climbed into bed: The people of Israel had a sickening commitment to the fertility religions, which included sex as part of their rituals.

57:11 The people were living in fear of false gods instead of fearing the Lord (see 8:12-13).

57:12 The Lord did not consider the people’s so-called good deeds (literally righteousness; see 59:16) to be truly righteous.

57:13 your idols . . . fall over: See study note on 40:18. • inherit the land: The Hebrew word translated land can also signify the whole earth (see Pss 25:13; 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; Matt 5:5). • my holy mountain: God’s servants will enjoy God’s presence in Zion (see Isa 2:2; 56:7).

57:14-21 The Lord here promises to be present with the humble, to heal them, and to grant them his peace. The promise extends to all the citizens of Zion, both Jews and Gentiles. The Holy One comes to the humble with an all-inclusive offer of salvation, while dealing justly with the wicked.

57:15 Even though God is the high and lofty one, he promises to dwell with the humble.

57:18 I will heal them anyway: Salvation is by God’s grace (see 19:22; 30:26; 53:5).

57:19 words of praise: God’s redemption should bring a response of praise from its recipients. • both near and far: Both Gentiles and Jews are included (see 56:3; John 10:16; Eph 2:17).

57:20 restless sea . . . never still: Those who live in constant opposition to God (see Pss 46:3, 6; 93:3-4) do not enjoy inner quiet because they are not at peace with God (Isa 30:15; 32:17). • churns up mud and dirt: Their activity has little productivity (see Ps 40:2).

57:21 no peace: Cp. 57:2; see also 48:22.