Isaiah 57:1-2
Judgment was coming, the watchmen weren't watching, nor did they care. The leaders failed to lead and care for the people. Among the those in the nation were the righteous. They were dying also, but no one considered this. They were, in fact, being taken away from the evil. Death was their deliverance from judgment. They would find their rest and peace.
Isaiah 57:3-6
The sorcerers were those who foretold the future with their magic. They were chasing after other gods, seeking to control life and circumstance by other gods. They refused to trust in the Lord alone. They seemed to think this was no big deal; but who were they ridiculing? All this was counter to anything the Lord conveyed to them.
The offspring of falsehood are those born out of immoral relationships. They were corrupt and the burned with lust chasing after other gods. They are portrayed as a prostitute seeking out lovers; idolatry portrayed as adultery. They are so closely linked.
Slaying children in the valley was child sacrifice of Molek. The clefts of the rock and the among the smooth stones of the wadi are the same picture. These were the burial places used for child sacrifice. They worshiped these gods in this way. There is no way the Lord would, or could, overlook such things.
Isaiah 57:7-10
The high places, lofty mountains were places of idol worship. They seemed to have existed in some shape or form throughout Israel's history. Many times these were the Ashera poles; a totem pole, phallic, sexual, idols. The blending of idolatry with adultery seems to be consistent. These idols became part of their lives, they set up their remembrance on the doors and posts instead of having the remembrance of Yahweh as instructed in Deut 6:9.
Israel was an unfaithful wife; wayward and exposing herself to others. She invited these others in and made covenant with them, forgetting the covenant they had already entered into. In verse eight the phrase 'where you saw their nudity' is literally 'to look on the hand'. It was a sexual euphemism regarding looking on the phallic symbols of idol worship.
The messengers were sent away, this journey into this darkness took them into the abode of death itself. This way became wearisome, but they didn't repent. They never came to the knowledge of the uselessness of these gods and declared, "there is no hope". Instead they found life and strength and weren't grieved. 'Hand' of verse ten is the same as hand in verse eight (translated nudity). In verse ten it means virility or strength. They settled into this life, conscience seared and seeing nothing wrong with it.
Isaiah 57:11-13
Israel was told fifteen times in Deuteronomy to 'remember'; God knew they were inclined to forget and the warning up front was to inform them of this. Why had they not remembered all that God had done in the past? What had these other so called gods done for them? Was it because God had held off His punishment when they deserved it? Was it because he showed mercy to them that they misconstrued this kindness and took it some weakness on God's part?
Therefore, they will stand on their own righteousness, or lack thereof. They will find out the worth of the works they trust in. When things got bad, God told them to run to their idols for deliverance. However, these will be found worthless, blown away like useless chaff in the wind. In contrast to those who trust the idols, those who trust in Yahweh will possess the land and have an inheritance in Zion.
Isaiah 57:14
The call to 'heap it up' and prepare the way is the call for the highway. It's to raise up a highway above all obstacles. It was preparing a way for the people to find their way back, removing any and all obstacles.
Isaiah 57:15-18
The Lord sits on high; He is the Almighty and Sovereign. Within His dwelling place will be those who are contrite and humble in spirit. These will be renewed, restored and reinvigorated. God won't be angry forever, for if He was, no man could stand before Him. While He is longsuffering, He is also just. When justice is served, He will renew those of a broken and contrite heart. God was rightly angry for the covetousness of Israel and in spite of being punished they continued in their backslidden ways. But God promised He could heal and lead and comfort His people.
Isaiah 57:19-21
The Lord gives an invitation to all, a call to redemption and salvation leading to peace with God. But the wicked refuse the invitation. They will experience no peace, it is the turmoil of their rebellious life that blinds them from the invitation calm that chaos.
©2018 Doug Ford
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