Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me? Whom have you dreaded and feared,Israel had allowed the threats of surrounding nations and the attraction of their idols to govern its conduct. Fear of man displaced the fear of the Lord, though God alone ruled over kings, armies, and nations. Isaiah had already called God’s people to regard the Lord of hosts as holy rather than sharing the panic of an unbelieving world (Isaiah 8:12–13). Pro 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD… so that you lied Israel’s idolatry was covenant treachery. The people claimed to belong to the Lord while seeking security through false gods, political alliances, and pagan practices. Such divided allegiance contradicted the covenant made at Sinai and resembled the spiritual adultery condemned by the prophets. Psa 78:36-37 But they deceived Him with their mouths,… and failed to remember Me Forgetfulness of God involved more than failing to recall past events. Israel neglected the Lord’s deliverance from Egypt, His provision in the wilderness, His law, and His repeated mercy. Deuteronomy had warned that prosperity and security could cause the people to forget the God who gave them all they possessed (Deuteronomy 8:11–14). Deu 8:11-14 Be careful not to forget the LORD your God… or take this to heart? God’s revealed truth had not shaped Israel’s desires, decisions, or worship. The Lord had commanded His words to remain upon the hearts of His people, producing wholehearted love and obedience (Deuteronomy 6:4–6). Outward religious activity could not replace inward reverence. Deu 32:46 “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared… Is it not because I have long been silent The Lord had patiently withheld immediate judgment despite Israel’s rebellion. His restraint was not approval, nor did it indicate weakness or indifference. God’s patience gave opportunity for repentance, but Israel interpreted delayed judgment as permission to continue in sin. Psa 50:21 You have done these things, and I kept silent;… that you do not fear Me? Israel had lost the reverent awe that leads to wisdom and obedience. God’s silence would soon give way to righteous action, exposing the emptiness of idols and the folly of trusting in anything other than Him. Jer 5:22 Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD…… Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry was primarily to the Kingdom of Judah. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, often the focus of Isaiah's prophecies, which included calls to repentance and warnings of impending judgment due to idolatry and unfaithfulness. 3. God The central figure in this passage, expressing His disappointment with His people's lack of faithfulness and reverence. 4. Idolatry The context of Isaiah 57 involves the people of Judah turning to idols and other gods, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic books. 5. Silence of God The perceived silence of God is mentioned as a reason for the people's lack of fear and reverence, highlighting a period where God did not actively intervene or speak through prophets. Teaching Points The Danger of ForgetfulnessForgetting God leads to spiritual decay and idolatry. We must actively remember and honor God in our daily lives. Misinterpreting God's Silence God's silence is not an indication of His absence or approval of sin. We should seek Him earnestly, even when He seems silent. Reverence and Fear of the Lord A healthy fear of the Lord is foundational to faithfulness. We should cultivate a deep respect and awe for God. The Consequences of Idolatry Idolatry leads to a broken relationship with God. We must identify and remove modern-day idols from our lives. The Call to Repentance God’s call to repentance is a recurring theme. We should regularly examine our hearts and turn back to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that might distract us from being true to God, and how can we identify them in our lives?2. How can we cultivate a habit of remembering and honoring God daily, especially in a world full of distractions? 3. In what ways might we misinterpret God's silence, and how can we maintain our faith during such times? 4. How does the fear of the Lord influence our daily decisions and actions, and what steps can we take to deepen this reverence? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What actions did you take to restore your relationship with Him, and how can Isaiah 57:11 guide you in future situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 6:12This verse warns the Israelites not to forget the Lord who brought them out of Egypt, similar to Isaiah 57:11's theme of forgetfulness and lack of reverence. Psalm 50:21 This passage speaks of God's silence being misunderstood as approval, paralleling the misunderstanding in Isaiah 57:11. Romans 1:21 Paul discusses how people knew God but did not honor Him, which aligns with the themes of forgetfulness and lack of reverence in Isaiah 57:11.
People Isaiah, Melech, MolechPlaces JerusalemTopics FALSE, Dread, Fail, Fear, Feared, Fearest, Fearful, Hast, Haven't, Heart, Hearts, Held, Keeping, Laid, Lie, Lied, Liest, Mind, Myself, Peace, Pondered, Quiet, Remember, Remembered, Secret, Silent, Worried, WouldestDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 57:11 5017 heart, renewal Library Thirteenth Day. Holiness and Humility. Thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the High and Holy place, with him 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. lvii. 15. Very wonderful is the revelation we have in Isaiah of God, the Holy One, as the Redeemer and the Saviour of His people. In the midst of the people whom He created and formed for Himself, He will as the Holy One dwell, showing forth … Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Man's Greatness and God's Greatness. The Loftiness of God Of the Joy of a Good Conscience Holy Raiment of One's Own Weaving. The Comforts Belonging to Mourners What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness. Of the Presence of God Higher Degree of Prayer, which is that of the Simple Presence of God, or Active Contemplation. The Geometry of Prayer Book iii. The Ascent: from the River Jordan to the Mount of Transfiguration. The Three Parables of the Gospel: of the Recovery of the Lost - of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Drachm, the Lost Son. Christ's Kingly Office We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom... The Acceptable Sacrifice; I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also- The Coming Revival "Nunc Dimittis" What are Consequences of Backsliding in Heart. The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History Another Shorter Evening Prayer. Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament Christ Teaching Humility Characters and Names of Messiah Links Isaiah 57:11 NIVIsaiah 57:11 NLT Isaiah 57:11 ESV Isaiah 57:11 NASB Isaiah 57:11 KJV Isaiah 57:11 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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