Isa 57.1-21 is a chapter that talks about the stupidity of the people and their idols, and it carries on with the theme of Isa 56.9-12. It also alludes to Rosh Ha Shanah and those living on earth at the time of the Natzal.
v 1…The righteous man perishes (among all this evil) and no man takes it to heart (don’t even notice because they don’t care and are caught up in their evil), and devout men are taken away (from the coming judgment, and this alludes to the Natzal on Rosh Ha Shanah) while no one understands (that they are taken away because of the coming judgment).
v 2…He enters into peace (“shalom” and can mean “Messiah” or the Messianic Kingdom); they rest in their beds (the grave; Abraham’s Bosom), each one who walked in his upright way (doers of the Torah-Jam 1.22. But, Isa 57.1-2 also alludes to Rosh Ha Shanah and the Natzal and is very similar to Isa 26.2, “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter”-Job 14.7-15; 1 Thes 4.13-18; Isa 26.20; Zeph 2.1-3; 1 Thes 1.10. He enters into peace in Isa 57.2 is like Isa 26.3, “The steadfast of mind thou wilt keep in perfect peace.” Then in Isa 57.2, “each one who walked in his upright way” with “because he trusts in thee.” These verses clearly allude to the Natzal (rapture)).
v 3…But come here (in contrast), you sons of a sorceress (Rev 2.20; Rev 17; Rev 18), offspring (seed-Gen 3.15; John 8.44 meaning “followers”) of an adulterer and a prostitute (spiritual adulterers and apostates).
v 4…Against whom do you jest? Against whom do you open wide your mouth and stick out your tongue (insulting jeers and mocking)? Are not children of rebellion, offspring (seed or follower) of deceit (John 8.44).
v 5…Who inflame yourselves (sexually) among the oaks, under every luxuriant (green) tree, who slaughter the children in the ravines (a Canaanite abomination), under the clefts of the crags (sacrifices to Baal or “bamot” meaning high places-Jer 19.5; Ezek 16.10; Hos 13.2; Psa 106.37-38).
v 6…Among the smooth stones of the ravine (used for idols) is your portion, they are your lot; even to them you have poured out a libation, you have made a grain offering. Shall I relent concerning these things (of the evil I said I would bring)?
v 7…Upon a high and lofty mountain (for altars and temples) you have made your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
v 8…And behind the door and the doorpost (their household gods) you have set up your sign (sign is “zikron” or remembrance, like statues and pictures of their gods). Indeed, far removed from me you have uncovered yourself (prostituted yourselves with idols) and have gone up and made your bed wide (to take in many idol worshipers), and you have made an agreement (covenant, oath other than what Yehovah made with them) for yourselves with them; you have loved their bed, you have looked on their manhood (they desired the pagan idols like a harlot desires every man she sees).
v 9…And you have journeyed to the king with oil (the king of Assyria or Egypt, who they put their trust in with gifts) and increased your perfumes (to make themselves more agreeable like a harlot); you have sent your envoys a great distance (to spread their harlotries) and made them go down to Sheol (lowered themselves and would do anything to get their help).
v 10…You were tired out by the length of your road (not eased by their attempts), yet you did not say, “It is hopeless (didn’t see their attempts were useless). You found renewed strength, therefore you did not faint (they did not let up on their efforts to gain the foreign king’s favor and to pursue idols).
v 11…Of whom were you worried and fearful (what drove you to these wicked practices), when you lied and did not remember me (but sought foreign help and idols), nor give me a thought (did not remember all the good Yehovah has done)? Was I not silent, even for a long time, and you do not fear me (God was patient and long-suffering, intending to lead them to repent, but it caused them to be encouraged into sin)?
v 12…I will declare (with open rebukes) your righteousness and your deeds, but they (your idols) will not profit you.
v 13…When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind (ruach) will carry all of them up, and a breath will take them away (God’s power will carry them all away like chaff). But he who takes refuge in me will inherit the land, and shall possess my Holy Mountain (the Kingdom of God-Dan 2.31-33).
Isa 57.14 to 58.14 is the Haftorah reading for Yom Kippur. Matt 25.31-46 deals with the same subject.
v 14…And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way (with true doctrine), remove every obstacle (false doctrine, superstition, idolatry, myths, etc) out of the way of my people.”
v 15…For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy (Yehovah has a kedusha), “I dwell (“shkan” and it is the root for “Mishkan” or tabernacle) on a high and holy place (heaven), and also with the contrite and lowly spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly (to repent) and to revive the heart of the contrite (to new life; born again).
v 16…For I will not contend forever (Gen 6.3-longevity does not produce repentance), neither will I always be angry, for the spirit (of the afflicted) would grow faint before me (overwhelmed), and the breath (soul) which I have made.
v 17…Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain (covetous of the people-Jer 6.13, 8.10) I was angry and struck him (Jacob); I hid my face (withdrew the Shekinah) and was angry, and he went on turning away in the way of his heart (hardened his heart against reproof and correction).
v 18…I have seen his ways, but I will heal him (pardon him); I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners (who mourn over their sins and the sins of others-Isa 61.2; Ezek 9.4),
v 19…creating the praise (fruit) of the lips (Hos 14.2). Peace, peace to him who is far (in Babylon and other nations) and to him who is near (Judah-but spiritually this alludes to the non-Jews who are spiritually “far” being grafted into those who are “near” or Israel-Eph 2.11-22), says the Lord, “and I will heal him.”
v 20…But the wicked (rashim) are like the tossing sea (the sea is seen as the domain of Ha Satan, or unconverted humanity in Ezek 32.2 or “nations.” It is also seen as the domain of Leviathan, who is a picture of the False Messiah-Rev 13.2, Isa 98.7; Job 26.12-13) for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud (sin).
v 21…There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked (inside Israel or Babylon or anyplace for those far from Yehovah).
Leave a Reply