Major Prophets · Chapter 57 of 66

Isaiah 57

The righteous perish unnoticed, taken from coming evil into peace, while the wicked are exposed for their idolatry and spiritual adultery under every green tree. God declares their gods cannot save them, yet whoever trusts Him will inherit the land. The high and holy One who inhabits eternity dwells also with the contrite and humble, promising to heal and revive them, but there is no peace for the wicked.

What happens in Isaiah 57

The chapter opens lamenting that the righteous die and no one takes it to heart, not perceiving they are gathered from the evil to come, entering into peace. Then God indicts the wicked, calling them children of sorcery who mock the righteous. He exposes their idolatry: inflaming themselves under every green tree, sacrificing children in the valleys, chasing false gods even down to death. When they cry, their idols cannot deliver, for the wind carries them away, while whoever trusts Him inherits the land.

Then the tone softens. The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, dwells not only in the high place but with the contrite and humble, to revive them. Though angered by their covetousness, He has seen their ways and will heal, lead, and restore comfort, creating peace for those far off and near. But the wicked are like a troubled sea, and there is no peace for them.

Isaiah 57 in context

Part of Isaiah's final section on the restored community, this chapter contrasts two kinds of people: the righteous who die in peace and the wicked entrenched in idolatry. The pagan practices described, worship under green trees and child sacrifice in the valleys, reflect the syncretism that plagued Judah.

The chapter's turn from indictment to healing reveals God's readiness to revive the humble even amid judgment. Its closing refrain, no peace for the wicked, matches the end of chapter 48.

Main themes of Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57 (KJV)

1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. 3But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. 4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, 5Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? 6Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these? 7Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. 8Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it. 9And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell. 10Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. 11And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not? 12I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. 13When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; 14And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. 15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. 17For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. 18I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. 19I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. 20But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Verses to carry from Isaiah 57

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”Isaiah 57:15

“I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.”Isaiah 57:19

“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”Isaiah 57:21

Reflection

Two truths sit side by side here. Idols wear us out and cannot save when trouble comes, but the high and holy God bends down to dwell with the contrite. Where have you exhausted yourself chasing substitutes? Bring a humbled, broken heart, and find that the God of eternity makes His home there to revive you.

A prayer from Isaiah 57