Isa 57:16 | KingComments | STEP | If the LORD would constantly contend and always be angry, the spirit of the object of His righteous anger would grow faint before Him ( ). He did not create man to let him die. That will be the fate of the mass who does not repent. God makes His plan come true to a remnant that has the features that allow Him to take His true and full place in heart and life. Here the LORD clearly reminds us that the existence of the soul is due to His creative power. This is at the same time a touching call to contrite and humiliate before His face. The LORD makes the promise to Israel that, having stricken them because of their greed and the turning away of their heart ( ), He will heal him, lead him and restore comfort to him ( ). This will be especially for the mourners, those who grieve over their own aberration and not primarily over all the injustices in the world. show that the consequences of God’s actions will divide the people in two parts. For those who are contrite and humiliated, who mourn their sins, there will be “peace, peace” in their contrite state, both to him who is “far” and to him who is “near” ( ; cf. ). The doubling of the word “peace” means complete and uninterrupted peace, “perfect peace” ( ). This will produce worship and songs of praise. Hence, the promise of peace is preceded by the statement that God is “creating the praise of the lips”. On the other hand, there are the wicked, the unrepentant, the followers of the antichrist, for whom “there is no peace” ( ).

‏ Isaiah 57:16

Peace for the God-fearing

If the LORD would constantly contend and always be angry, the spirit of the object of His righteous anger would grow faint before Him (Isa 57:16). He did not create man to let him die. That will be the fate of the mass who does not repent. God makes His plan come true to a remnant that has the features that allow Him to take His true and full place in heart and life.

Here the LORD clearly reminds us that the existence of the soul is due to His creative power. This is at the same time a touching call to contrite and humiliate before His face. The LORD makes the promise to Israel that, having stricken them because of their greed and the turning away of their heart (Isa 57:17), He will heal him, lead him and restore comfort to him (Isa 57:18). This will be especially for the mourners, those who grieve over their own aberration and not primarily over all the injustices in the world.

Isa 57:19-21 show that the consequences of God’s actions will divide the people in two parts. For those who are contrite and humiliated, who mourn their sins, there will be “peace, peace” in their contrite state, both to him who is “far” and to him who is “near” (Isa 57:19; cf. Eph 2:17). The doubling of the word “peace” means complete and uninterrupted peace, “perfect peace” (Isa 26:3). This will produce worship and songs of praise. Hence, the promise of peace is preceded by the statement that God is “creating the praise of the lips”.

On the other hand, there are the wicked, the unrepentant, the followers of the antichrist, for whom “there is no peace” (Isa 57:20-21).