89 lines
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89 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Song of Songs';
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Title = 'The Book of the Prophet Isaiah';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 57';
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<p id="Chapter57" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 57
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<p id="Isa57_1"><a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,'1-21');">Isa 57:1-21</a>. THE PEACEFUL DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEW: THE UNGODLINESS OF THE MANY: A BELIEVING REMNANT SHALL SURVIVE THE GENERAL JUDGMENTS OF THE NATION, AND BE RESTORED BY HIM WHO CREATES PEACE.
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<p>In the midst of the excesses of the unfaithful watchmen (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',56,10,11,12);">Isa 56:10-12</a>), most of the few that are godly perish: partly by vexation at the prevailing ungodliness; partly by violent death in persecution: prophetical of the persecuting times of Manasseh, before God's judgments in causing the captivity in Babylon; and again those in the last age of the Church, before the final judgments on the apostasy (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',21,16);">2Ki 21:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',23,'29-35',37);">Mat 23:29-35, 37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',11,17);">Rev 11:17</a>). The <i>Hebrew</i> for "perisheth," and "is taken away," expresses a <i>violent death</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,2);">Mic 7:2</a>).
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<p><b>1. no man layeth it to heart</b>—as a public calamity.
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<br><br><b>merciful men</b>—rather, <i>godly men;</i> the subjects of mercy.
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<br><br><b>none considering</b>—namely, what was the design of Providence in removing the godly.
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<br><br><b>from the evil</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> from the face of the evil, that is, both from the moral evil on every side (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',56,'10-12');">Isa 56:10-12</a>), and from the evils about to come in punishment of the national sins, foreign invasions, etc. (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',56,9);">Isa 56:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,13);">57:13</a>). So Ahijah's death is represented as a blessing conferred on him by God for his piety (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',14,'10-13');">1Ki 14:10-13</a>; see also <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',22,20);">2Ki 22:20</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_2"><b>2.</b> Or, "he <i>entereth</i> into peace"; in contrast to the <i>persecutions</i> which he suffered in this world (<a onclick="return mV('Job',3,13,17);">Job 3:13, 17</a>). The <i>Margin</i> not so well translates, "he shall go in peace" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',37,37);">Psa 37:37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,29);">Luk 2:29</a>).
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<br><br><b>rest</b>—the calm rest of their bodies in their graves (called "beds," <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',16,14);">2Ch 16:14</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,18);">Isa 14:18</a>; because they "sleep" in them, with the certainty of awakening at the resurrection, <a onclick="return mV('1Th',4,14);">1Th 4:14</a>) is the emblem of the eternal "rest" (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',4,9);">Hbr 4:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',14,13);">Rev 14:13</a>).
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<br><br><b>each one walking in...uprightness</b>—This clause defines the character of those who at death "rest in their beds," namely, all who walk uprightly.
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<p id="Isa57_3"><b>3. But...ye</b>—In contrast to "the righteous" and their end, he announces to the unbelieving Jews their doom.
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<br><br><b>sons of the sorceress</b>—that is, ye that are addicted to sorcery: this was connected with the worship of false gods (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',21,6);">2Ki 21:6</a>). No insult is greater to an Oriental than any slur cast on his <i>mother</i> (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',20,30);">1Sa 20:30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',30,8);">Job 30:8</a>).
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<br><br><b>seed of the adulterer</b>—<i>Spiritual</i> adultery is meant: idolatry and apostasy (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',16,4);">Mat 16:4</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_4"><b>4. sport yourselves</b>—make a mock (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',66,5);">Isa 66:5</a>). Are ye aware of the glory of Him whom you mock, by mocking His servants ("the righteous," <a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,1);">Isa 57:1</a>)? (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',36,16);">2Ch 36:16</a>).
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<br><br><b>make...wide month</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,7,13);">Psa 22:7, 13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',35,21);">35:21</a>;<a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,16);">Lam 2:16</a>).
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<br><br><b>children of transgression,</b> etc.—not merely <i>children of transgressors,</i> and a <i>seed of false parents,</i> but of <i>transgression</i> and <i>falsehood</i> itself, utterly unfaithful to God.
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<p id="Isa57_5"><b>5. Enflaming yourselves</b>—burning with lust <i>towards idols</i> [GESENIUS]; or else (compare <i>Margin</i>), <i>in the terebinth groves,</i> which the <i>Hebrew</i> and the parallelism favor (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Isa/Isa001.html#Isa1_29">Isa 1:29</a>) [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>under...tree</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',17,10);">2Ki 17:10</a>). The tree, as in the Assyrian sculptures, was probably made an idolatrous symbol of <i>the heavenly hosts.</i>
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<br><br><b>slaying...children</b>—as a sacrifice to Molech, etc. (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',17,31);">2Ki 17:31</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',28,3);">2Ch 28:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',33,6);">33:6</a>).
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<br><br><b>in...valleys</b>—the valley of the son of Hinnom. Fire was put within a hollow brazen statue, and the child was put in his heated arms; kettle drums (<i>Hebrew, toph</i>) were beaten to drown the child's cries; whence the valley was called Tophet (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',33,6);">2Ch 33:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',7,3);">Jer 7:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>under...clifts</b>—the gloom of caverns suiting their dark superstitions.
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<p id="Isa57_6"><b>6.</b> The smooth stones, shaped as idols, are the gods chosen by thee as thy portion (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',16,5);">Psa 16:5</a>).
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<br><br><b>meat offering</b>—not a bloody sacrifice, but one of meal and flour mingled with oil. "Meat" in Old English meant <i>food,</i> not <i>flesh,</i> as it means now (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',14,10);">Lev 14:10</a>).
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<br><br><b>Should I receive comfort</b>—rather, "Shall I bear these things with patience?" [HORSLEY].
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<p id="Isa57_7"><b>7. Upon...high mountain...bed</b>—image from adultery, <i>open and shameless</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',23,7);">Eze 23:7</a>); the "bed" answers to the idolatrous <i>altar,</i> the scene of their spiritual unfaithfulness to their divine husband (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',16,16, 25);">Eze 16:16, 25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',23,41);"> 23:41</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_8"><b>8.</b> "Remembrance," that is, memorials of thy idolatry: the objects which thou holdest in remembrance. <i>They hung up household tutelary gods</i> "behind the doors"; the very place where God has directed them to write His laws "on the posts and gates" (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',6,9);">Deu 6:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',11,20);">11:20</a>); a curse, too, was pronounced on putting up an image "in a secret place" (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',27,15);">Deu 27:15</a>).
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<br><br><b>discovered thyself</b>—image from an adulteress.
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<br><br><b>enlarged...bed</b>—so as to receive the more paramours.
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<br><br><b>made...covenant</b>—with idols: in open violation of thy "covenant" with <i>God</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',19,5);">Exd 19:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',23,32);">23:32</a>). Or, "hast made assignations with them for thyself" [HORSLEY].
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<br><br><b>thy bed...their bed</b>—The Jews' sin was twofold; they resorted to places of idolatry ("<i>their</i> bed"), and they received idols into the temple of God ("<i>thy</i> bed").
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<br><br><b>where</b>—rather, "ever since that" [HORSLEY]. The <i>Hebrew</i> for "<i>where</i>" means "<i>room</i>" (<i>Margin</i>), a place; therefore, translate, "thou hast provided a place for it" (for "their bed"), namely, by admitting idolatrous altars in thy land [BARNES]; or "thou choosest a (convenient) place for thyself" in their bed [MAURER] (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',56,5);">Isa 56:5</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_9"><b>9. the king</b>—<i>the idol</i> which they came to worship, perfumed with oil, like harlots (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,30);">Jer 4:30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',23,16,40);">Eze 23:16, 40</a>). So "king" means idol (<a onclick="return mV('Amo',5,26);">Amo 5:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zep',1,5);">Zep 1:5</a>); (<i>malcham</i> meaning "king") [ROSENMULLER]. Rather, <i>the king of Assyria</i> or <i>Egypt,</i> and other foreign princes, on whom Israel relied, instead of on God; the "ointment" will thus refer to the presents (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',12,1);">Hsa 12:1</a>), and perhaps the compliances with foreigners idolatries, whereby Israel sought to gain their favor [LOWTH] (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,6);">Isa 30:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',16,33);">Eze 16:33</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',23,16);">23:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',7,11);">Hsa 7:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>send...messengers far off</b>—not merely to neighboring nations, but to those "far off," in search of new idols, or else alliances.
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<br><br><b>even unto hell</b>—the lowest possible degradation.
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<p id="Isa57_10"><b>10. greatness of...way</b>—the <i>length</i> of thy journey in seeking strange gods, or else foreign aid (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,23,24);">Jer 2:23-24</a>). Notwithstanding thy deriving no good from these long journeys (so, "send...<i>far off,</i>" <a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,9);">Isa 57:9</a>), thou dost not still give up hope (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,25);">Jer 2:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',18,12);">18:12</a>).
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<br><br><b>hast found...life of...hand</b>—for "thou still findest life (that is, vigor) enough in thy hand" to make new idols [MAURER], or to seek new alliance ("hand" being then taken for <i>strength</i> in general).
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<br><br><b>grieved</b>—rather, "therefore thou art not <i>weak</i>" [MAURER]; inasmuch as having "life in thy hand," thou art still strong in hope.
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<p id="Isa57_11"><b>11.</b> Israel wished not to seem <i>altogether</i> to have denied God. Therefore they "lied" to Him. God asks, Why dost thou do so? "Whom dost thou fear? Certainly not <i>Me; for</i> thou hast not remembered Me." Translate, "<i>seeing that</i> thou hast not remembered Me."
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<br><br><b>laid it to...heart</b>—rather, "nor hast Me at heart"; hast no regard for Me; and that, because I have been long silent and have not punished thee. Literally, "Have I not held My peace, and that for long? and so thou fearest Me not" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',50,21);">Psa 50:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ecc',8,11);">Ecc 8:11</a>). It would be better openly to renounce God, than to "flatter Him" with lies of false professions (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',78,36);">Psa 78:36</a>) [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU]. However, <a onclick="return mV('Isa',51,12,13);">Isa 51:12-13</a> favors <i>English Version</i> of the whole verse; God's "silent" long-suffering, which was intended to lead them to repentance, caused them "not to fear Him" (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',2,4,5);">Rom 2:4-5</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_12"><b>12. declare</b>—I will expose publicly thy (hypocritical) righteousness. I will show openly how vain thy works, in having recourse to idols, or foreign alliances, shall prove (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,3);">Isa 57:3</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_13"><b>13. When thou criest</b>—In the time of thy trouble.
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<br><br><b>companies</b>—namely, of idols, collected by thee from every quarter; or else, of foreigners, summoned to thy aid.
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<br><br><b>wind...carry...away</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Job',21,18);">Job 21:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',7,27);">Mat 7:27</a>).
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<br><br><b>vanity</b>—rather, "a breath" [LOWTH].
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<br><br><b>possess...land...inherit</b>—that is, the literal land of Judea and Mount Zion; the believing remnant of Israel shall return and inherit the land. Secondarily, the heavenly inheritance, and the spiritual Zion (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,8);">Isa 49:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',37,9,11);">Psa 37:9,11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',69,35,36);">69:35-36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,5);">Mat 5:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',12,22);">Hbr 12:22</a>). "He that putteth his trust in Me," of whatever extraction, shall succeed to the spiritual patrimony of the apostate Jew [HORSLEY].
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<p id="Isa57_14"><b>14. shall say</b>—The <i>nominative</i> is, "He that trusteth in Me" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,13);">Isa 57:13</a>). The believing remnant shall have every obstacle to their return cleared out of the way, at the coming restoration of Israel, the antitype to the return from Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',35,8);">Isa 35:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,3,4);">40:3-4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',62,10,11);">62:10-11</a>).
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<br><br><b>Cast...up</b>—a high road before the returning Jews.
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<br><br><b>stumbling-block</b>—Jesus had been so to the Jews, but will not be so <i>then</i> any longer (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,23);">1Cr 1:23</a>); their <i>prejudices</i> shall then be taken out of the way.
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<p id="Isa57_15"><b>15.</b> The pride and self-righteousness of the Jews were the stumbling block in the way of their acknowledging Christ. The <i>contrition</i> of Israel in the last days shall be attended with God's interposition in their behalf. So their self-humiliation, in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',66,2,5,10);">Isa 66:2, 5, 10</a>, etc., precedes their final prosperity (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,6,'10-14');">Zec 12:6, 10-14</a>); there will, probably, be a previous period of unbelief even after their return (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,8,9);">Zec 12:8-9</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_16"><b>16. For</b>—referring to the promise in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',57,14,15);">Isa 57:14-15</a>,, of restoring Israel when "contrite" (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',6,3);">Gen 6:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',8,21);">8:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',78,38,39);">Psa 78:38-39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',85,5);">85:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',103,9,13,14);">103:9, 13-14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,18);">Mic 7:18</a>). God "will not contend for ever" <i>with His people,</i> for their human spirit would thereby be utterly crushed, whereas God's object is to chasten, not to destroy <i>them</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,33,34);">Lam 3:33-34</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,8,9);">Mic 7:8-9</a>). <i>With the ungodly</i> He is "angry <i>every day</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',7,11);">Psa 7:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',14,11);">Rev 14:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>spirit...before me</b>—that is, the human spirit which <i>went forth from Me</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Num',16,22);">Num 16:22</a>), answering to "which I have made" in the parallel clause.
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<p id="Isa57_17"><b>17. covetousness</b>—akin to idolatry; and, like it, having drawn off Israel's heart from God (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',2,7);">Isa 2:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',56,11);">56:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',58,3);">58:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',6,13);">Jer 6:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,5);">Col 3:5</a>).
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<br><br><b>hid me</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',8,17);">Isa 8:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',45,15);">45:15</a>).
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<br><br><b>went on frowardly</b>—the result of God's hiding His face (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',81,12);">Psa 81:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,24, 26);">Rom 1:24, 26</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_18"><b>18.</b> Rather, "I have seen his ways (in sin), <i>yet</i> will I heal him," that is, restore Israel spiritually and temporally (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',33,6);">Jer 33:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',3,22);">3:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',14,4,5);">Hsa 14:4-5</a>) [HORSLEY].
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<br><br><b>I will...restore comforts unto him and to his mourners</b>—However, the phrase, "his mourners," favors <i>English Version;</i> "his ways" will thus be his ways <i>of repentance;</i> and God's pardon on "seeing" them answers to the like promise (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',61,2,3);">Isa 61:2-3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,18,20);">Jer 31:18, 20</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_19"><b>19. fruit of...lips</b>—that is, thanksgivings which flow from the lips. I make men to return thanks to Me (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',14,2);">Hsa 14:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',13,15);">Hbr 13:15</a>).
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<br><br><b>Peace, peace</b>—"<i>perfect</i> peace" (see <a onclick="return mV('Isa',26,3);">Isa 26:3</a>, <i>Margin;</i> <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,27);">Jhn 14:27</a>). Primarily, the cessation of the trouble s now afflicting the <i>Jews,</i> as formerly, under the Babylonian exile. More generally, the peace which the Gospel proclaims both to Israel "that is near," and to the Gentiles who are "far off" (<a onclick="return mV('Act',2,39);">Act 2:39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',2,17);">Eph 2:17</a>).
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<p id="Isa57_20"><b>20. when it cannot rest</b>—rather, "<i>for</i> it can have no rest" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',15,20);">Job 15:20</a>, etc. <a onclick="return mV('Pro',4,16,17);">Pro 4:16-17</a>). <i>English Version</i> represents the sea as <i>occasionally</i> agitated; but the <i>Hebrew</i> expresses that it can <i>never</i> be at rest.
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<p id="Isa57_21"><b>21.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',48,22);">Isa 48:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',9,22);">2Ki 9:22</a>).
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<br><br><b>my God</b>—The prophet, having God as <i>his</i> God, speaks in the person of Israel, prophetically regarded as having now <i>appropriated</i> God and His "peace" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,'1-3');">Isa 11:1-3</a>), warning the impenitent that, while they continue so, they can have no peace.
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