Isaiah 57:4
"Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom
make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue?
are ye not children of transgression,
a seed of falsehood,"
A terrible scene is given here of the idolatries and impurities into which Israel had fallen. These scenes under "the oaks” and in the valleys remind us of the constant evils associated with idolatry which Apostle Paul has recorded in Romans; "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;" (Rom. 1:23-28)
They refused to retain God in their knowledge, and He gave them over to a reprobate mind; that is, He ceased to restrain them. But among the degenerate nation, there was a handful of elect souls. God is always careful against rooting up the tares, lest one stalk of wheat perish. Among the destruction that must overtake the guilty land they that trusted in Him, would not be overlooked. "When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people" (Isa. 57:13-14).
With what comfort the chapter closes! "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" (Isa. 57:15, etc). We may have been covetous and froward, and have deserved wrath and chastisement, but God will not always chastise. Only return to Him! He will revive your heart, and “restore comfort” to you. and will bring you near, through the blood of the Cross. "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh" (Eph. 2:16-17).
They refused to retain God in their knowledge, and He gave them over to a reprobate mind; that is, He ceased to restrain them. But among the degenerate nation, there was a handful of elect souls. God is always careful against rooting up the tares, lest one stalk of wheat perish. Among the destruction that must overtake the guilty land they that trusted in Him, would not be overlooked. "When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people" (Isa. 57:13-14).
With what comfort the chapter closes! "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" (Isa. 57:15, etc). We may have been covetous and froward, and have deserved wrath and chastisement, but God will not always chastise. Only return to Him! He will revive your heart, and “restore comfort” to you. and will bring you near, through the blood of the Cross. "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh" (Eph. 2:16-17).
Amen!!
Reading: (Isa. 57:1-21)
Ref: (HGSB)
May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
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