Isaiah 57 Study Notes: Idolatry Exposed and Comfort for the Contrite
The righteous die unnoticed, spared from evil, while the LORD exposes a people devoted to idols on the hills. The exalted Holy One promises to dwell with the humble and repentant, to heal the stubborn, and to give peace to the far and the near, but the wicked find no rest.
General
True or False: In 57:16, the LORD says He will not keep accusing or stay angry forever, because the human spirit He made would grow faint before Him.
Answer: True
This is true. God gives a tender reason for limiting His anger: if He kept accusing and stayed angry forever, the human spirit, the very breath of life He created, would grow faint before Him (57:16). His anger against sin is real, but it is not His final word toward those He restores. Psalm 103:9 likewise says His accusing and anger do not last forever. Micah praises God who pardons sin and does not cling to anger forever, since He takes delight in showing loving devotion (Micah 7:18). Lamentations adds that even when the Lord brings grief, He shows compassion and does not afflict people willingly (Lamentations 3:31-33).
- Isaiah 57:16 (BSB)“For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made.”God explains that He limits His accusation and anger because of the frailty of the human spirit He made.
- Psalm 103:9 (BSB)“He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.”David praises the LORD whose accusing and anger do not last forever.
- Micah 7:18 (BSB)“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?”Micah marvels at a God who pardons and does not hold on to His anger forever.
- Lamentations 3:31-33 (BSB)“For the Lord will not cast us off forever. Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.”Even in grief, the Lord shows compassion and does not cast off forever.
Theological
True or False: According to 57:16, God restrains His accusation and anger because the human spirit He created would otherwise fail before Him.
Answer: True
This is true. God's restraint is grounded in His care for His creature: unending accusation and wrath would cause the human spirit, the very breath of life He made, to faint before Him (57:16). Divine wrath against sin is real, yet it does not have the last word for those He restores. Psalm 103:9 states the same limit, Micah 7:18 roots it in God's delight in showing loving devotion, and Lamentations 3:31-33 shows compassion following affliction.
- Isaiah 57:16 (BSB)“For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made.”God explains that He limits His accusation and anger because of the frailty of the human spirit He made.
- Psalm 103:9 (BSB)“He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.”David praises the LORD whose accusing and anger do not last forever.
- Micah 7:18 (BSB)“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?”Micah marvels at a God who pardons and does not hold on to His anger forever.
- Lamentations 3:31-33 (BSB)“For the Lord will not cast us off forever. Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.”Even in grief, the Lord shows compassion and does not cast off forever.
General
In 57:15, where does the exalted and eternal Holy One say He dwells?
Answer: In the holy heights and with the lowly in spirit
Verse 14 calls for the road to be built up and every obstacle cleared from the path of God's people. Then 57:15 joins two truths that seem far apart. The speaker is the exalted One who lives forever and whose very name is Holy. He lives in a lofty and holy place, yet He also lives with those who are crushed and humbled, in order to revive the lowly and the hearts of the contrite, meaning those truly sorry for their sin. God's greatness does not keep Him distant from broken sinners; it is exactly such people He comes near to. David knew that God would not spurn a crushed and repentant heart (Psalm 51:17), and that God stays close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). In Isaiah 66:2 God says He looks with favor on the lowly and repentant who tremble at His word.
- Isaiah 57:15 (BSB)“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.”The exalted, eternal, holy God says He dwells both on high and with the humble and contrite.
- Psalm 51:17 (BSB)“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”David knew that God does not despise a heart crushed and sorry for sin.
- Psalm 34:18 (BSB)“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”The LORD draws near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”God says He looks with favor on the humble and contrite who tremble at His word.
Theological
According to 57:15, where does the exalted, eternal Holy One make His dwelling?
Answer: In the holy heights and with the lowly in spirit
After the call to clear the way for God's people (57:14), 57:15 holds together divine transcendence and condescension. The exalted One, who inhabits eternity and bears the name Holy, dwells in the exalted holy place and also with the crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the lowly and the hearts of the contrite. His holiness does not make Him remote from penitent sinners; it is precisely the broken whom He draws near. Psalm 51:17 and Psalm 34:18 express the same truth from the side of the repentant, and Isaiah 66:2 names the humble and contrite who tremble at His word as those God esteems.
- Isaiah 57:15 (BSB)“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.”The exalted, eternal, holy God says He dwells both on high and with the humble and contrite.
- Psalm 51:17 (BSB)“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”David knew that God does not despise a heart crushed and sorry for sin.
- Psalm 34:18 (BSB)“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”The LORD draws near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”God says He looks with favor on the humble and contrite who tremble at His word.
General
In 57:3-9, what is the main sin the LORD charges against the people He calls children of a sorceress?
Answer: Forsaking Him to worship idols on hills and under trees
The LORD summons the people with harsh names that expose their unfaithfulness, calling them children of sorcery and of people unfaithful in marriage (57:3). They mock God and are called children of rebellion and lies (57:4). They practice pagan worship among the trees, in the valleys and among the rocks, even sacrificing their children there, and they pour out drink offerings and grain offerings to smooth stones (57:5-6). They set up their worship on high hills, place their memorial sign behind door and doorframe, and even turn to the god Molech, all while forsaking the LORD (57:7-9). The Bible often describes idolatry as spiritual adultery, because the LORD had bound Himself to Israel like a husband. Moses had commanded Israel to destroy the places on hills and under trees where the nations served their gods (Deuteronomy 12:2), and the northern kingdom was judged, among its other sins, for worshiping in such places (2 Kings 17:10-11). Paul tells believers to run from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14).
- Isaiah 57:4 (BSB)“Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,”The LORD confronts a people who mock Him and calls them children of rebellion and deceit.
- Isaiah 57:6 (BSB)“Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?”The people pour out offerings to the stones of the valley, and God asks whether He should relent.
- Deuteronomy 12:2 (BSB)“Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.”Moses commanded Israel to destroy the pagan places of worship on the hills and under green trees.
- 2 Kings 17:10-11 (BSB)“They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.”The northern kingdom was judged for the same worship on high hills and under green trees.
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 (BSB)“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”Paul's command to believers is to flee from idolatry.
Theological
What central charge does the LORD bring in 57:3-9 against those He calls offspring of a sorceress?
Answer: Forsaking Him to worship idols on hills and under trees
The indictment is idolatry described as covenant infidelity. The people are named children of sorcery and unfaithfulness (57:3), mockers and children of rebellion and deceit (57:4). Their worship takes place among the trees, in the valleys and the rocky crevices, where they even sacrifice their children, with libations and grain offerings poured out to the smooth valley stones (57:5-6). They establish shrines on lofty hills, place their memorial sign behind door and doorframe, and resort to Molech, all in forsaking the LORD (57:7-9). The imagery of marital unfaithfulness reflects the LORD's covenant bond with Israel. The sites echo the high places Moses ordered destroyed (Deuteronomy 12:2) and the practices that were among the reasons the northern kingdom was exiled (2 Kings 17:10-11). The apostolic command remains to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14).
- Isaiah 57:4 (BSB)“Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,”The LORD confronts a people who mock Him and calls them children of rebellion and deceit.
- Isaiah 57:6 (BSB)“Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?”The people pour out offerings to the stones of the valley, and God asks whether He should relent.
- Deuteronomy 12:2 (BSB)“Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.”Moses commanded Israel to destroy the pagan places of worship on the hills and under green trees.
- 2 Kings 17:10-11 (BSB)“They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.”The northern kingdom was judged for the same worship on high hills and under green trees.
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 (BSB)“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”Paul's command to believers is to flee from idolatry.
General
According to 57:12-13, what contrast does the LORD draw between those who trust idols and those who take refuge in Him?
Answer: The idols will be blown away, while His refugees receive the land
God says He will expose the people's so-called righteousness and their deeds, which will do them no good (57:12). When they cry for help, let their collection of idols rescue them; but a mere wind or breath will carry them all off. By contrast, whoever takes shelter in God will possess the land and His holy mountain (57:13). Idols are powerless in the day of need, but the LORD keeps those who trust Him. In the days of the judges, the LORD told Israel to seek rescue from the gods they had picked (Judges 10:14). Psalm 37:9 promises the land to those who wait in hope for the LORD, and Jesus promised the earth as an inheritance to the meek (Matthew 5:5).
- Isaiah 57:12-13 (BSB)“I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you. When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.””God says the people's idols cannot save them, but those who take refuge in Him will possess the land.
- Judges 10:14 (BSB)“Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.””The LORD once told Israel to seek rescue from the gods they had chosen, exposing their helplessness.
- Psalm 37:9 (BSB)“For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”The psalmist promises the land to those who hope in the LORD while evildoers are cut off.
- Matthew 5:5 (BSB)“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”Jesus promises the earth as an inheritance to the meek.
Theological
What contrast does 57:12-13 draw between trust in idols and refuge in the LORD?
Answer: The idols will be blown away, while His refugees receive the land
The LORD will expose the people's supposed righteousness and works as worthless (57:12). Their gathered idols are summoned to deliver them, only to be carried off by a wind, scattered by a breath. Over against this stands the promise that whoever seeks refuge in Him will possess the land and His holy mountain (57:13). The same sarcastic summons appears in Judges 10:14. The inheritance promised to those who wait in hope for the LORD (Psalm 37:9) is extended by Jesus to the meek, who will receive the earth (Matthew 5:5).
- Isaiah 57:12-13 (BSB)“I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you. When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.””God says the people's idols cannot save them, but those who take refuge in Him will possess the land.
- Judges 10:14 (BSB)“Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.””The LORD once told Israel to seek rescue from the gods they had chosen, exposing their helplessness.
- Psalm 37:9 (BSB)“For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”The psalmist promises the land to those who hope in the LORD while evildoers are cut off.
- Matthew 5:5 (BSB)“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”Jesus promises the earth as an inheritance to the meek.
General
True or False: In 57:20-21, the wicked are compared to a calm, still lake, and they too are promised peace.
Answer: False
This is false. In contrast to the peace offered in 57:19, the wicked resemble the sea driven by storms. It can never rest, and its waves keep stirring up mud and filth (57:20). Their restlessness ends in God's verdict that the wicked have no peace (57:21). The same refrain closed an earlier section of Isaiah (Isaiah 48:22). Paul, drawing on the Scriptures, says of sinners that the path of peace is unknown to them (Romans 3:17). Peace with God comes only through being justified, declared right with God, by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1).
- Isaiah 57:20-21 (BSB)“But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.””The wicked are compared to a restless sea and told that they have no peace.
- Isaiah 48:22 (BSB)““There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.””The same refrain about the wicked closes an earlier section of Isaiah.
- Romans 3:17 (BSB)“and the way of peace they have not known.””Paul, drawing on the Scriptures, says sinners have not known peace.
- Romans 5:1 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Peace with God comes through being justified by faith in Christ.
Theological
True or False: According to 57:20-21, the wicked are likened to a tranquil lake and are included in the promise of peace.
Answer: False
This is false. Set against the peace of 57:19, the wicked resemble the storm-driven sea that cannot rest, its waves churning up mud (57:20), and God's verdict is that they have no peace (57:21). The refrain repeats Isaiah 48:22. Paul's catalogue of human sin includes the lack of any knowledge of peace (Romans 3:17), and peace with God is found only through justification by faith (Romans 5:1).
- Isaiah 57:20-21 (BSB)“But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.””The wicked are compared to a restless sea and told that they have no peace.
- Isaiah 48:22 (BSB)““There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.””The same refrain about the wicked closes an earlier section of Isaiah.
- Romans 3:17 (BSB)“and the way of peace they have not known.””Paul, drawing on the Scriptures, says sinners have not known peace.
- Romans 5:1 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Peace with God comes through being justified by faith in Christ.
General
The LORD promises peace to the far and the near in 57:19. When Paul echoes these words in Ephesians 2, who are the ones described as far off?
Answer: Gentiles who had been outside God's covenant promises
After promising to heal, the LORD speaks peace, repeating the word for emphasis, to those far away and those nearby, and promises to heal them (57:19). Peace here means more than the end of fighting; it is wholeness and a right relationship with God. Paul picks up this verse in Ephesians 2. He reminds Gentile believers, people who are not Jewish, that they were once separated from Christ, without hope and outside the covenants of promise, but have now been brought close by Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:12-13). Christ came and proclaimed peace both to them, who were far off, and to the Jews, who were near (Ephesians 2:17), making the two into one people of God.
- Isaiah 57:19 (BSB)“bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.””The LORD speaks peace to those far and near and promises to heal them.
- Ephesians 2:12-13 (BSB)“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”Paul reminds Gentile believers that they were once far from God but are now brought near through Christ.
- Ephesians 2:17 (BSB)“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”Paul picks up the wording of 57:19, saying Christ preached peace to the far and the near.
Theological
Isaiah 57:19 announces peace to the far and the near. In Paul's use of this wording in Ephesians 2, who are the far?
Answer: Gentiles who had been outside God's covenant promises
The LORD's word of healing culminates in a doubled announcement of peace to the far and the near (57:19), peace meaning wholeness and reconciliation with God. Paul takes up this language in Ephesians 2. The far are the Gentiles, once apart from Christ, outside Israel's community and the covenants of promise, now brought near by Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:12-13). Christ preached peace to them and to the Jews who were near (Ephesians 2:17), uniting both in one new people.
- Isaiah 57:19 (BSB)“bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.””The LORD speaks peace to those far and near and promises to heal them.
- Ephesians 2:12-13 (BSB)“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”Paul reminds Gentile believers that they were once far from God but are now brought near through Christ.
- Ephesians 2:17 (BSB)“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”Paul picks up the wording of 57:19, saying Christ preached peace to the far and the near.
General
According to 57:1-2, what does no one realize when the righteous die?
Answer: That God is removing them from the reach of evil
Isaiah observes that righteous and devout people die and no one gives it a thought (57:1). What people fail to see is that God is sparing these faithful people from the evil around them. Those who live uprightly enter peace and find rest as they lie down in death (57:2). For God's faithful people, death is not simply loss but rest. Through the prophetess Huldah, the LORD told King Josiah that he would be buried in peace and would not see the disaster coming on Jerusalem (2 Kings 22:20). His faithful ones' death is precious to the LORD (Psalm 116:15), and John heard a heavenly voice call those who die belonging to the Lord blessed, for they have rest after their toil (Revelation 14:13).
- Isaiah 57:1-2 (BSB)“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.”The righteous die unnoticed, but they are spared from evil and enter rest.
- 2 Kings 22:20 (BSB)“‘Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.”Through the prophetess Huldah, the LORD promised King Josiah a peaceful death before the coming disaster.
- Psalm 116:15 (BSB)“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”The death of God's faithful people is precious in His sight.
- Revelation 14:13 (BSB)“And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.””A voice from heaven declares those who die in the Lord blessed and at rest.
Theological
What does 57:1-2 say goes unrecognized when the righteous perish?
Answer: That God is removing them from the reach of evil
The chapter opens with a lament over public indifference: righteous people die and the godly are removed, and no one considers it (57:1). What escapes notice is that their removal is a mercy, sparing them from the evil around them, and that the upright enter peace and rest in death (57:2). Death for the godly is a gathering into rest, not a defeat. The LORD's word to Josiah through Huldah offers a historical example (2 Kings 22:20); Psalm 116:15 declares the death of the saints precious to the LORD; and Revelation 14:13 pronounces blessed those who die belonging to the Lord, for they rest after their toil.
- Isaiah 57:1-2 (BSB)“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.”The righteous die unnoticed, but they are spared from evil and enter rest.
- 2 Kings 22:20 (BSB)“‘Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.”Through the prophetess Huldah, the LORD promised King Josiah a peaceful death before the coming disaster.
- Psalm 116:15 (BSB)“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”The death of God's faithful people is precious in His sight.
- Revelation 14:13 (BSB)“And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.””A voice from heaven declares those who die in the Lord blessed and at rest.
General
In 57:17-18, how does the LORD respond after seeing the ways of the one who kept going back to his own desires?
Answer: He promises to heal, guide and comfort him anyway
God was angry at the sinful greed of His people, so He struck them and hid His face; yet they kept following the desires of their own hearts (57:17). Even punishment did not change them. Then comes a surprising turn: God says He has seen their ways, and He will heal them anyway, guiding them and restoring comfort to them and to those who mourn, putting praise on their lips (57:18-19). The healing does not depend on their having reformed first; it flows from God's own mercy toward people who were still stubborn. Hosea records the same kind of promise, God healing His people's unfaithfulness and loving them freely (Hosea 14:4). Paul says that God, moved by His great love and mercy, gave life together with Christ to people who were spiritually dead in their sins (Ephesians 2:4-5).
- Isaiah 57:17-18 (BSB)“I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,”God's punishment did not turn the man back, yet God promises to heal, guide and comfort him.
- Hosea 14:4 (BSB)“I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them.”God promises to heal His people's unfaithfulness and love them freely.
- Ephesians 2:4-5 (BSB)“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!”Paul says God, rich in mercy, gave life with Christ to people who were dead in their trespasses.
Theological
How does the LORD respond in 57:17-18 to the one who persisted in his own way despite chastisement?
Answer: He promises to heal, guide and comfort him anyway
God's chastisement for covetous sin, striking and hiding His face, did not reform the sinner, who kept going after his own heart (57:17). The turn comes from God's side alone: having seen those ways, He will heal, guide and restore comfort, bringing praise to the lips of those who mourn (57:18-19). Healing is not conditioned on prior reform; sovereign mercy goes before and produces the restoration. Hosea 14:4 makes the same promise of healing and free love, and Ephesians 2:4-5 describes God's great love making alive with Christ those who were dead in sin.
- Isaiah 57:17-18 (BSB)“I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,”God's punishment did not turn the man back, yet God promises to heal, guide and comfort him.
- Hosea 14:4 (BSB)“I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them.”God promises to heal His people's unfaithfulness and love them freely.
- Ephesians 2:4-5 (BSB)“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!”Paul says God, rich in mercy, gave life with Christ to people who were dead in their trespasses.
General
In 57:11, what reason does the LORD give for why the people do not fear Him?
Answer: He had kept silent toward them for a very long time
Verses 9-10 describe the people sending envoys far away, as far down as Sheol, the realm of the dead, and wearing themselves out with their journeys, yet never admitting that it was hopeless and finding fresh strength to keep going. In 57:11 God asks whom they dreaded so much that they lied and forgot Him. Then He answers: it is because He had been silent for a long time that they had stopped fearing Him. God's patience had been mistaken for indifference. In Psalm 50:21 God says that when He stayed silent, the wicked imagined He was just like them, but He would now confront them. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes observes that when a sentence against wrongdoing is not carried out quickly, people's hearts are set on evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Peter explains that God's apparent delay is really patience, giving people time to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
- Isaiah 57:11 (BSB)“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?”God asks whom the people feared and explains that His long silence led them to stop fearing Him.
- Psalm 50:21 (BSB)“You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.”God says that when He kept silent, the wicked thought He was like them, but now He will rebuke them.
- Ecclesiastes 8:11 (BSB)“When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.”The Teacher observes that delayed punishment emboldens people to do evil.
- 2 Peter 3:9 (BSB)“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”Peter explains that the Lord's apparent slowness is really patience, giving time for repentance.
Theological
What explanation does the LORD give in 57:11 for the people's lack of fear toward Him?
Answer: He had kept silent toward them for a very long time
After describing the people's tireless pursuit of other help, sending envoys afar and even down to Sheol, without ever conceding that it was hopeless (57:9-10), the LORD asks whom they feared that they should lie and forget Him, and answers His own question: His long silence had bred their lack of fear (57:11). Divine forbearance had been misread as indifference. Psalm 50:21 describes the same misreading and God's coming rebuke; Ecclesiastes 8:11 traces how delayed judgment emboldens wrongdoers; and 2 Peter 3:9 interprets the delay as patience that allows time for repentance.
- Isaiah 57:11 (BSB)“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?”God asks whom the people feared and explains that His long silence led them to stop fearing Him.
- Psalm 50:21 (BSB)“You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.”God says that when He kept silent, the wicked thought He was like them, but now He will rebuke them.
- Ecclesiastes 8:11 (BSB)“When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.”The Teacher observes that delayed punishment emboldens people to do evil.
- 2 Peter 3:9 (BSB)“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”Peter explains that the Lord's apparent slowness is really patience, giving time for repentance.