Chapter 57
The blessed death of the righteous. (Is. 57:1,2) The abominable idolatries of the Jewish nation.
(Is. 57:3-12) Promises to the humble and contrite. (Is. 57:13-21)
Is. 57:1,2 The righteous are delivered from the sting of death, not from the stroke of it. The
careless world disregards this. Few lament it as a public loss, and very few notice it as a public
warning. They are taken away in compassion, that they may not see the evil, nor share in it, nor be
tempted by it. The righteous man, when he dies, enters into peace and rest.
Is. 57:3-12 The Lord here calls apostates and hypocrites to appear before him. When reproved
for their sins, and threatened with judgments, they ridiculed the word of God. The Jews were guilty
of idolatry before the captivity; but not after that affliction. Their zeal in the worship of false gods,
may shame our indifference in the worship of the true God. The service of sin is disgraceful slavery;
those who thus debase themselves to hell, will justly have their portion there. Men incline to a
religion that inflames their unholy passions. They are led to do any evil, however great or vile, if
they think it will atone for crimes, or purchase indulgence for some favourite lust. This explains
idolatry, whether pagan, Jewish, or antichristian. But those who set up anything instead of God,
for their hope and confidence, never will come to a right end. Those who forsake the only right
way, wander in a thousand by-paths. The pleasures of sin soon tire, but never satisfy. Those who
care not for the word of God and his providences, show they have no fear of God. Sin profits not;
it ruins and destroys.
Is. 57:13-21 The idols and their worshippers shall come to nothing; but those who trust in God's
grace, shall be brought to the joys of heaven. With the Lord there is neither beginning of days, nor
end of life, nor change of time. His name is holy, and all must know him as a holy God. He will
have tender regard to those who bring their mind to their condition, and dread his wrath. He will
make his abode with those whose hearts he has thus humbled, in order to revive and comfort them.
When troubles last long, even good men are tempted to entertain hard thoughts of God. Therefore
He will not contend for ever, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands, nor defeat the
purchase of his Son's blood. Covetousness is a sin that particularly lays men under the Divine
displeasure. See the sinfulness of sin. See also that troubles cannot reform men unless God's grace
work in them. Peace shall be published, perfect peace. It is the fruit of preaching lips, and praying
lips. Christ came and preached peace to Gentiles, as well as to the Jews; to after-ages, who were
afar off in time, as well as to those of that age. But the wicked would not be healed by God's grace,
therefore would not be healed by his comforts. Their ungoverned lusts and passions made them
like the troubled sea. Also the terrors of conscience disturbed their enjoyments. God hath said it,
and all the world cannot unsay it, That there is no peace to those who allow themselves in any sin.
If we are recovered from such an awful state, it is only by the grace of God. And the influences of
the Holy Spirit, and that new heart, from whence comes grateful praise, the fruit of our lips, are his
gift. Salvation, with all its fruits, hopes, and comforts, is his work, and to him belongs all the glory.
There is no peace for the wicked man; but let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man