God's People will Triumph

Bible Study Questions 10309

PASSAGE: Isaiah 57:1-21

COMMENT: In this chapter, Isaiah describes difficult times in the history of God’s people. The wicked have the upper hand and are consumed in their iniquities. Judgment is coming and the righteous who die are blessed in that they are removed from the evil to come. Yet, the righteous will some day possess the land and know the peace of God. The humble will experience the presence of the Lord. God and His people will triumph in the end.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. The Israelites were _____________ themselves with idols under every _________ tree.

2. In their spiritual adulteries, the Israelites had ___________ their bed and made a ____________ with them.

3. The Lord condemns them: “thou…didst debase thyself even unto _______.”

4. But he that puts his _______ in the Lord shall __________ the land.

5. But the wicked are like the troubled ______, when it cannot ________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. Verse 4 speaks of those who make “a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue” against others. Carefully consider this description. What do you think the verse is describing? Try making your mouth wide and drawing out your tongue. What do you think was happening in this verse?

2. Verse 10 states, “Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope.” Greatness here refers to large and difficult. These people were living wickedly. God had made their way great, or difficult. But they refused to say, There is not hope. What do you think is going on in the hearts of those Isaiah is describing in this verse?

3. God is described as “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy” (v.15). What does it mean that God inhabits (that is, dwells in) eternity? How is that different from the condition of man? What is the relationship of God to time?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. The righteous person dies and no man considers that God may be taking this person away from the evil to come (v.1). Isaiah refers here to judgment on the land of Israel. However, this verse has other applications. Sometimes, a godly person meets an untimely or early death. People always ask why this happens. However, God may be protecting them from some future trial because of His love for them. Who do you know that lived for God but died early? What might God have been protecting them from? Why would God allow a young child to die?

2. God states that He dwells with him “that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” What does it mean to be contrite (use an English dictionary)? How do the following verses apply? Psalm 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 66:1-2.

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Isaiah 57:1, 15, 20, 21

TEXT: Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

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,

5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?

7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

8 Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.

9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.

10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

13 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;

14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

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.

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