Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
Layman's Bible Commentary Layman's Bible Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
"Commentary on Isaiah 57". "Layman's Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/lbc/isaiah-57.html.
"Commentary on Isaiah 57". "Layman's Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (46)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (3)
Verses 9-13
Condemnation of Corrupt Leaders (56:9—57:13)
This section suddenly introduces a type of condemnation like that found in First Isaiah and other pre-exilic prophets. It is clear that the suffering and exile of Israel have taught some of the people nothing whatever. Consequently among the new community are “watchmen” (prophets and religious leaders) and “shepherds” (community leaders, government officials) who are called greedy “dogs” (vs. 11). The irresponsible use of strong drink (vs. 12) reminds one of similar words in 5:11, 22 .
In 57:1-10 a group of the community are condemned in the strongest possible terms. They are idolators and are also unjust in their relations to their fellows, so that the righteous and the devout are not safe from their actions. The identity of this group is unknown, but it is the first time in the literature of Second Isaiah that such a forthright condemnation in the name of God is addressed to a specific group of people, other than the taunt song against Babylon in chapter 47. This section, then, is the clearest possible indication of the changed situation behind the prophecy. A new community in Palestine has been formed, and there are those within it who have learned nothing from their past.
In verses 11-13 the judgment upon these people is pronounced. When it comes, their collection of idols will not be able to deliver them, for the idols are so light and insignificant that a wind will carry them away. The ones who are to possess this land, meaning the Promised Land of Palestine, are those— and only those—who take refuge in the Lord.
Verses 14-21
God’s Promise to the Humble and Contrite (57:14-21)
It is not improbable that verses 14-21 are simply a continuation of the preceding poem. The promise of restoration, guidance, and peace to those who take refuge in the Lord (see end of vs. 13) is now elaborated. God is high and lofty; he has eternity as his place of abode, and Holy is his name. Nevertheless, he is a God who is with the humble and the contrite in spirit (vs. 15). Indeed, the spirit which gives life comes solely from him (vs. 16).
The theme in verses 16-19, that God punished his people in the past because of their backsliding but that now he proposes to heal them and bring peace to those far and near, has been developed in the earlier chapters (see, for example, 42:18— 43:7; 48:8-11; 51:17-23; 54:7-10). For this healing, which would remove the infection that had led them to rebel against their Lord, Israel hoped devoutly. It was an integral part of her hope for the great age to come that God would remove this disease, the root evil so frequently described in the pages of the Bible, as for example in the story of the first man and woman (Genesis 3; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32). The urgency of this desire for cleansing appears also as an important part of the great psalm of confession (Psalms 51:6-12). The center of the New Testament is directed squarely at this basic problem. The meaning of God’s act in Jesus Christ is understood as the deliverance of man from the burden of his sin and the provision of the possibility of a new life apart from that slavery.
The final verses (20-21) deal with the wicked who have been described in the preceding section. In God’s plan there is no future for such people. They are like the tossing sea which is continually stirring up “mire and dirt,” but “there is no peace . . . for the wicked.” Verse 21 seems to be in its proper context here (see comment on 48:22).