Isaiah: Stoops Down to Lift Up

Isaiah 56:9-57:21

The story of the Titanic highlights many tragic errors. The ship had cutting-edge safety features and advanced technology. In fact, the designers purposefully didn’t equip it with enough lifeboats because of their confidence that lifeboats would never be needed. The ship was called “unsinkable” by the builders and journalists who covered its maiden voyage from Southhampton, England to New York.

And…we know the fateful ending. As the Titanic journeyed across the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, the crew ignored several iceberg warnings. On the night of April 14, 1912, the ship struck a massive iceberg, which irreparably damaged the hull.  By early morning, the “unsinkable” ship had sunk. Over 1,500 people lost their lives in this catastrophe.

The Titanic’s builders put their trust in human engineering with devastating results. Likewise, believers can put their trust in people and earthly things.  When we don’t heed God’s warnings, the results can be devastating.  

Today’s passage—Isaiah 56:9-57:21—highlights the dangers of following corrupt leaders, the futility of corrupt worship, and the hope that comes from God alone.

Corrupt Leaders (Isa. 56:9-12)
Judah’s judgment is impending. The “beasts,” mentioned twice in Isaiah 56:9, “come to devour.” The “beasts” refer to Judah’s enemies, in particular the Babylonians who took them captive in 586 BC (Jer. 12:7-9; 50:17; Ez. 34:5).

We assume that Judah’s spiritual leaders would take this warning seriously and lead the people to repentance. However, Isaiah describes them as blind watchmen, so-called shepherds “who have no understanding.” Their focus is on what they can gain from their position. They are about building their own platforms to please themselves instead of serving God’s people.

The shepherd analogy Isaiah uses may have reminded him of a lazy shepherd with untrained dogs. Neither will react when they see danger (Isa. 56:10). All they do is sleep and eat: “The dogs have a mighty appetite: they never have enough” (Isa. 56:11).

Corrupt leadership ends in destruction. French economist, journalist, and politician, Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850), said, "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of [people] in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it."[1] 

Judah’s deceitful leaders rejected God’s laws and created a system where they profited while others lived in poverty. Anytime we turn from God’s Word and follow our own ways and philosophy, we are headed for ruin. 

In cultures led by immoral, irresponsible leaders, those who take a stand for what is right are often persecuted. Isaiah says: 

Isaiah 57:1-2
The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. 

The words “perish” (Heb: bad) and “taken away” (Heb: neesapim) describe a violent death.[2]  This could be referring to the time of Judah’s wicked King Manasseh, who “shed very much innocent blood” (2 Kgs. 21:16). We know throughout history that Christians have been persecuted and continue to be persecuted today. 

Isaiah explains there will be times when the righteous are “taken away from calamity” on earth to experience the peace of eternity (Isa. 57:1b-2). An example of this is in 2 Kings 22 where God told King Josiah he would be “gathered to [his] grave in peace” and would not experience the coming disaster (2 Kgs. 22:18-20).  

Corrupt Worship (Isa. 57:1-13)
In contrast to the righteous addressed in Isaiah 57:1-2, the rest of Judah were engaged in idolatry. Instead of having a godly influence on the surrounding nations, they had embraced pagan practices.

This section emphasizes that idol worship could be found everywhere!

• One could visit the shrine prostitutes under the green trees in the groves (Isa. 57:5a).
• One could witness people offering their children as sacrifices in the valley (Isa. 57:5b).
• One could find makeshift altars under the cliffs and by the smooth stones (Isa. 57:6).
• One could climb the mountains only to find more sacrificing (Isa. 57:7).
• Behind closed doors, people were “deserting” God to pursue their sexual sins and immoral religious practices (Isa. 57:8).

God admonishes Judah that all these idols will one day be blown away. He is the only One to worship. He is the only place of refuge.

Isaiah 57:13
When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them all off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. 

Hope and Peace for the Believer (Isa. 57:14-21)
There is no peace for those who continue to reject God (Isa. 57:21; 48:22; 2 Kgs. 9:22). The wicked are like the sea that is constantly churning (Isa. 57:20). Yet God delivers comfort for those who turn to him.

Isaiah 57:15 [Anchor Point]
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

For those who turn to God, there is peace! “Peace, peace, to the far and to the near…” (Isa. 57:19). God brings spiritual healing, restoration, direction, and comfort (Isa. 57:18). He consistently writes his story in our lives – a story of spiritual renewal, reviving our spirits and our hearts.

What an amazing truth! The God “who inhabits eternity,” “whose name is Holy,” the “One who is high and lifted up,” stoops down to us and delivers spiritual renewal.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Isaiah 56:9-57:21. Focus on our Anchor Point—Isaiah 57:15. Consider what it means to be contrite, humble in spirit, and revived in heart.  Is your worship given to the One “whose name is Holy”?

Talking to God:  Thank the Lord “who inhabits eternity” for his willingness to step down and lift you up. 

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about what it means to follow Jesus, or if you need spiritual counsel.

Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow hard after Jesus.