Isaiah 57 — Israel’s Future Idolatry, Comfort for the Contrite
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
In this chapter, Isaiah bluntly speaks out against the mocking liars that have not respect for the Lord. As we read through the accounts of the kings, we saw many times, “The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there” (e.g., 2 Kings 12:3) for they were “following the ways of Jeroboam and committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit” (e.g., 1 Kings 15:34). Thus, the propensity to perpetuate idol worship sneaks into the DNA of a culture and consistently leads people away from God. This insidious pattern is evident in today’s culture in several ways, in particular, it reveals itself in the propagation of pornography. Isaiah includes this in his list of offenses, “you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies” (Isaiah 57:8). It is amazing how relevant ancient words of prophesy remain in today’s culture. “I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you” (57:12) reminds us that our God sees all, we cannot hide any sin.
But don’t have a crushed spirit, don’t be contrite as a result of this sin for there is forgiveness, there is a way to move beyond worshipping idols, whatever form they take for us individually. Our God wants to “revive the heart of the contrite” (57:15). He says, “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort…” (57:18). These are great words of assurance for any who have fallen away from the ways of the Lord. Great comfort for those of us who have loved ones that have been lured into the idols of this age. God is the God who saves. Praise the Lord!