Isaiah 57

The same subject is continued which was begrm in the last chapter; and in this the prophet reproves the idolatries which were so publicly practised in the latter times of. the kings of Judah, and which provoked God 4D * to deliver up his people captives to the Babylonians, from whence nevertheless he promises to deliver them, at the latter end of the chapter. for making leagues with idolatrous princes, and courting their favour by presents: (see xxx. G. Hos. vii. 11. xii. 1.).sometimes they courted the king of Assyria, at other times the king of Egypt, as it best served their interest.. And didst send thy messengers afar off, and didst debase thyself even to hell.] Thou didst court the favour of these foreign princes by thy ambassadors, in the most abject and submissive terms.

Isaiah 57:1

x HE righteous perisheth. This may he understood cither of Ilezekiah or of Josiah: Hezekiah had a promise made him that peace should continue during his days, (xxxix. 8.) Josiah had likewise a promise of dying in peace, and not seeing the. evil which God would bring upon Jerusalem, (2 Kings xxii. 20.) Andno man layeth it to heart.] No man reflects with himself how sore a judgment it is to have good men, and especially pious princes, taken away in bad times, who might either by their prayers avert impending judgments, or, by their prudence and vigilance, apply proper remedies to the public calamities’. ■,And -merciful men are taken away.’] The Hebrew word asaph signifies to be gathered, and is used of men’s being laid in the sepulchres of their ancestors; which is elsewhere expressed, by being gathered unto their people. So Josiah is said to be gathered to his grave, (2 Kings xxii. 20.) In ©ther places the word is joined with being buried. (See Jer. viii. 2. xxv. 33.) So we read, Job xxvii. 19. TJte rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered; where the word were better translated buried.

Isaiah 57:2

They shall rest in their beds. As death is compared to sleep, so the grave is resembled to lying down in a bed. (See xiv. 18.) Particularly wc read, 2 Chron. xvi. 14. of the bed of spices in which king" Asa was laid: and if we understand the text before us, of the death of some of th’pir good kings, the phrase may allude to the costly funerals with which they honoured the memory of their pious princes deceased. r Each one walking in his uprightness.] Or, that hath walked hi his uprightness.

Isaiah 57:3

But draw hither, ye sons of the sorceress, ye seed of the adulterer, &c. The prophet summons those that practise the sorceries and idolatries of the heathen to come and hear their doom: these he calls the sons of the sorceress, and the seed of -the adulterer; as our Saviour calls the wicked Jews, an adulterous generation, (Matt. xvi. 4.) Adultery being taken in a spiritual sense for departing from God, and breaking that faith and allegiance which is due to him, and especially for renouncing him, and worshipping idols.- (See the note onxlviii.8.) Men are called in Scripture the children of those whose practices they imitate. (See John viii. 39. 41. 44.)

Isaiah 57:4

Against ivhom do you make a wide month, and draw out the tongue?. Gestures of scorn and contempt, by which this idolatrous crew declared their hatred and despite to God’s true servants.

Isaiah 57:5

Inflaming yourselves tvith idols. Idolatry, being spiritual adultery, is sometimes compared to the rage of lust. (See Ezek. xvi. xxiii.) It is true, too, that those shady groves dedicated to idol-worship, were a shelter for all manner of impurities. (See IIos. iv. Ii, 14.) Under every green tree.] See i. 29. Ezek. vi. 13. Slaying the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks.] Offering them in sacrifice unto Moloch; a sin severely prohibited, (Lev. xx. 2, &c.) and yet much practised in the times of the idolatrous kings of Judah. (See 2 Chron. xxviii. 3. 2 Kings xxui. 10. Ezek. xvi. 20.) And the vkdley of’ Hihnom was chiefly noted f*r this inhuman practice. (See Jer. vii. 31.)

Isaiah 57:6

Among the smooth stones of the stream [or, of the valley. is thy portion, &c] The words may be understood of the altars built there, or of stone pillars, erected for idolatrous worship, which they used to anoint with oil, or pour out their offerings upon them, such as the text here mentions: from whence came that proverbial speech concerning a superstitious man, Uavra &ov Xnraobv 7rpo<xKuvdiv, A tvorsltipper of every shining stone; mentioned by “Clem. Alexandrinus, (Strom, lib. vli.) The samo learned writer supposeth these to be the most ancient monuments of Divine worship, and older than the use of statues and images; for we find that Jacob, in compliance with the then received practice, as it is likely, set up a pillar at Beth-el, and poured oil upon it, Gen. xxviii. 18. (See Clem. Alexandr. Strom, lib. i. p. 348. D. and Protrept. p. 29. D.) Even to them hast thou poured out a drink-offering, thou hast’ offered a meat-offering.] To the “sacrifices of beasts were generally added an offering made of flour mixed with oil, which our translators render a meat-offering, (but might better be translated a bread-offering, see the note on xliii. 23.) and a certain quantity of wine for a drink-offering. (Seef Numb. xv. 4, 5. Joel i. 9.)

Isaiah 57:7

Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou lip to offer sacrifice. Sacrificing upon the high places was an idolatrous practice often taken notice of, and consequently the bed here mentioned may most fitly be understood of such a bed as was used at feasts, and was prepared for the entertainment which was made with part of the oblation. (Compare Ezek. xxiii. 41. Amos ii. 8.) It was the custom of the Jews, as well as of the Itomans, to lie upon beds or couches at their meals: (see 1 Sam. xxviii. 23. Amos vi. 4.) the same custom is mentioned Mark vii. 4. and in other places of the gospel; where the English reads, he sat down to meat, it is in the Greek, he lay down.

Isaiah 57:8

Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy memorial. Thou hast set up monuments of thy idolatry in every comer. The Hebrew verb zakar, with its” derivatives, is used for any object, monument, or place of Divine worship, as Dr. Spencer hath observed, (de Legib. Hebr. lib. ii. cap. 5.) [Behind the doors and the posts.] They that did not care their idolatry should be discovered, set up their idols in secret places. Sec Deut. xxvii. 15.] jPor thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up: thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant tvith them.] The prophet describes their idolatry under the metaphors of a harlot’s being false to her husband’s bed. (See ver. 3.) So he tells them, that they had committed spiritual adultery when they went up to the high places to sacrifice; (see ver. 7.) that they had multiplied their idolatries, as an unchaste woman does her lovers; that they liad broken their covenant with God, whom they had acknowledged to be their Lord and husband, and made a new contract with idols to serve them. (Sec the note on xlviii.S.) The word bed is of an ambiguous sense, and besides its proper signification, is taken for the furnishing out of a religious feast. (See the note upon ver. 7.)

Isaiah 57:9

And thou wentest to, the king tvith ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes. The Jews are often upbraided

Isaiah 57:10

Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy tvay; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope. Thou hast tried all ways to save tkyself from the evils that threaten thee: thou hast sought the friendship of foreign princes, and of their gods. (See 2 Chron. xxviii. 21. 23.) And though thou hast found thyself disappointed in all these projects; yet still thou conceivest hopes of receiving benefit from their friendship and alliance. Tlion hast found the life of thy hand; therefore thou toast not grieved*] Thou hast made a shift by these methods to support thyself for the present, therefore thou dost not feel any remorse for thy evil practices. _

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me?. The fear of God’s displeasure ought, in all reason, to outweigh all other fears and apprehensions, (see li. 12, 13.) and deter thee from breaking that faith and covenant whereby thou art engaged to him.. (See ver. 3. 8.) Departing from God is called, in other places, dealing treacherously with him, (Jer. iii. 20. v. 11.) Have I not held my peace even of old, and thoufearest me not?] The Bishops’ Biblc,published under queen Elizabeth, translates the place thus: Is it not because I held my peace, and that of a long time, therefore thoufearest me not?< Sinners take encouragement to continue in sin, from God’s patience and long-suffering. (See Psal. 1. 21. Eccles. viii. 11.)

Isaiah 57:12

I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. I will shew thee thy deserts, and give thee a view of thy deeds, which then will appear quite of another sort, than what thy own self-conceit makes thee believe them to be; and see whether thou canst ground any hope or comfort in them.

Isaiah 57:13

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee, &c. Let thy allies or associates help thee, whose assistance thou hast taken such pains to procure. (See ver. 9.) But they will not be able to deliver themselves. (Compare * Jer. xxii. 22.) But he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.] Those that still depend upon me, and make use of none of these indirect means to preserve themselves, shall return from captivity, and enjoy their native country, and the opportunities of attending, upoamy service, either by_themselves,.or in their posterity. The prophets, after they have denounced God’s threatenings against the Jews, do usually conclude with promises of receiving them again into favour upon their amendment; to shew that that nation. have still a title to the promises made by God unto their fathers,.whenever they will render themselves worthy to receive them. (Sec Rom. xi. 29.)

Isaiah 57:14

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, See. Or, It shall be said, or, orders shall be given;* for the verb active is here used impersonally, as is frequent iu other placets..„(S> CG the note oaxliv. 18.) -The words imply, tint God will take care of facilitating the return of the faithful out of captivity, and will remove all impediments that may hinder their passage home, just as if harbingers were to go before them, and plane the roads for them. (See xl. 3. Ixii. 10.)

Isaiah 57:15

I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, &c. Though my throne be in heaven, yet I do not disdain to converse wi^h the lowly and meek, and such as humble themselves under my hand, whom I will relieve, and comfort in their afflictions. (Compare lxvi. 2. John xiv. 23.) Ver. 1G. For Iwilliiot contend for ever— for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.] God hath compassion upon the work of his hands, and does not deal with men according to the rigour of justice, else they would quickly be brought to nothing. (See Psal. lxxviii. 39. ciii. 13, 14. Jer. x. 24.) •

Isaiah 57:17

For the iniquity of his covetousness. See lvi. 11. lix. 4, &c., I hid me, and teas wroth.] God’s withdrawing his mercy. ot protection, is expressed by hiding his face. (See viii. 17. Deut. xxxii. 20. Job xiii. 24. Lam. iii. 44.)

Isaiah 57:18

I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I havp seen a reformation of his manners, and will remove my heavy.judgments. (Compare lviii.8.1ix.20, Jer. xxxi.19, 20.) I will restore comforts to Mm, and to his mourners J] -Tp those that mourn over the desolations of God’s church and: people, and lament for the sins which brought down these sad calamities..(Compare Ixi. 2. lxvi. 10. Jer. xiii. 17. Ezek. ix. 4.) t

Isaiah 57:19

I create the fruit of the lips. I give new occasion for praise and thanksgiving, by the mercies I confer upon my people. (Compare Heb. xiii. 15.) Peace, peace, to him that is far off, and to him that is near.] As God’s promises of favour upon repentance, mentioned in the foregoing verses, have a great deal of the gos-. pel-spirit in them: so the peace. here prpclaimed cannot be properly understood but of those terms of pardon which. Christ hath oifered both to Jew and’ gentile, as St. Paul expounds the text, Ephes. ii. 17.

Isaiah 57:20

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, &c. The wicked cannot hope to enjoy either peace of mind, or outward prosperity; their inward guilt gives them perpetual disquiet, makes them restless and unsettled, and God will not vouchsafe them those outward blessings which he promises to such as are sincere. converts. (See ver.. 15. 18. and the note upon xlviii. 22.) •.