What does it mean that the righteous perish and no one lays it to heart?

The passage begins by saying that righteous and merciful people die, and no one really thinks about why. People see the death, but they do not see God’s hand in it. God explains that the righteous are “taken away from the evil to come.” In other words, their death is not a loss in God’s sight but a rescue. He is sparing them from coming trouble and judgment. Their passing should make people stop and think about their own ways and about what God may be saying to the nation.

How can the righteous ‘enter into peace’ and ‘rest in their beds’?

“He shall enter into peace” shows that death for the righteous is not the end of blessing. God is saying that those who walked uprightly in life are brought into rest when they die. Their bodies lie in the grave like a bed, but they are at peace, kept safe from the evil that is coming on the world. This picture is meant to comfort believers who fear death. God sees their life, knows their troubles, and gathers them into a place of rest with Him when their work is done.

Why are the people called sons of the sorceress and seed of the adulterer?

These sharp words are meant to show how deeply the people had turned from God. They claimed to be God’s people, but their lives were full of idol worship and spiritual unfaithfulness. Calling them “sons of the sorceress” and “seed of the adulterer and the whore” points to their love for occult practices and idols, as if they were born from that kind of life instead of from faith. It is a way of saying, “You act like children of lies and rebellion, not like children of God.”

What is going on with idols under every green tree and child sacrifice in the valleys?

The passage describes people “inflaming” themselves with idols under every green tree and killing children in the valleys under the rocks. This shows how eager and driven they were to worship false gods. They used shady groves and hidden places for their rites, and some even offered their own children as sacrifices. God is exposing how dark and cruel idolatry had become. These acts were not small slips, but open rejection of the living God and His ways, trading His worship for practices that destroy life.

What does it mean that God’s people went to the king with ointment and perfumes?

Going to “the king with ointment” and sending messengers far away pictures the people running after human rulers and foreign powers for safety. Instead of trusting God, they tried to win the favor of other kings with gifts and flattery. The text says they even “debased” themselves, showing how low they were willing to go. They wore themselves out looking for help, but never said, “There is no hope” in these plans. They kept trusting their own schemes instead of turning back to God.

What does this passage teach about a contrite and humble spirit?

God calls Himself the high and lofty One who lives forever and whose name is Holy. Yet He also says He lives with the person who is contrite and humble in spirit. That means God is near to those who are broken over their sin, who bow low in heart, and who do not pretend to be strong without Him. He promises to revive their spirit and heart. Even though He is far above us, He chooses to dwell with the lowly who admit their need and turn back to Him.

How does God deal with His people’s sin and wandering in this passage?

God says He was angry because of the iniquity of their covetousness and other sins. He struck them and hid His face, yet they still went on in their own stubborn way. Even so, He does not give up on them. He says, “I have seen his ways, and will heal him.” God promises to lead them, restore comfort to them and their mourners, and create “Peace, peace” for those far and near. He both judges sin and offers healing to those who are brought low and turn back to Him.

Why does the passage end by saying there is no peace to the wicked?

The chapter closes with a stark contrast. God has promised peace to the humble, but He says the wicked are like the restless sea, always churning and throwing up mud and dirt. Their hearts are never truly at rest, no matter what they chase. Finally God says, “There is no peace … to the wicked.” This shows that real peace is not found in idols, alliances, or our own plans. It comes only from God, and those who refuse Him remain unsettled, both in this life and in the life to come.

Isa.57.1

Isaiah 57:1

Q: What does ‘Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near’ mean?

When God says, “Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near,” He is speaking a double word of peace to show how full and sure it is. “Far off” and “near” point to people who are scattered and those still at home, but also to anyone who feels distant or close. God Himself creates this peace, shaping the words on the lips of His messengers. He is the one who brings healing and reconciliation to all who respond to Him in humility and faith.

KJV

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.

The Blessed Death of the Righteous

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.

God Condemns Idolatry

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;

Healing for the Repentant

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.