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Isaiah 57:15-21

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made. 17. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. 18. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. 19. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. 20. But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21. [There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Isaiah 57:15-21 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 57:15

Theological / Devotional

Inhabiteth eternity. Literally, “dwells forever.” These sublime words characterize God as the Eternal One. The word Shekinah, the term designating the glorious light of the divine presence that hovered over the ark of the covenant (COL 288; see on Gen. 3:24), is from shakan, here translated “inhabiteth.”

High and holy place. That is, the highest heaven.

With him also. Comforting thought, that One so great as God cares about us and condescends to dwell in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17; cf. Gal. 2:20; DA 23). However insignificant we may be in our own sight, it is our privilege to be recipients of Heaven’s greatest gifts. Whatever our needs God is ever ready to supply them.

Contrite. Contrition and humility — the spirit of sincere repentance for sin, coupled with a sense of one’s inability, of oneself, to earn salvation (see Rom. 7:18) — are the two essential qualifications for acceptance with God (see Micah 6:8; see on Ps. 51:10; Matt. 11:29). Contrition prepares the way for justification, as humility does for sanctification. God can do little for the man who does not feel a keen sense of his own need and who does not reach out for power from above (see on Luke 15:2).

By SdaBc