3 "But come here , you sons of a sorceress , Offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute . 4 "Against whom do you jest ? Against whom do you open wide your mouth And stick out your tongue ? Are you not children of rebellion , Offspring of deceit , 5 Who inflame yourselves among the oaks , Under every luxuriant tree , Who slaughter the children in the ravines , Under the clefts of the crags ? 6 "Among the smooth stones of the ravine Is your portion , they are your lot ; Even to them you have poured out a drink offering , You have made a grain offering . Shall I relent concerning these things ? 7 "Upon a high and lofty mountain You have made your bed . You also went up there to offer sacrifice . 8 "Behind the door and the doorpost You have set up your sign ; Indeed , far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself, And have gone up and made your bed wide . And you have made an agreement for yourself with them, You have loved their bed , You have looked on their manhood . 9 "You have journeyed to the king with oil And increased your perfumes ; You have sent your envoys a great distance And made them go down to Sheol .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 57:3-9
Commentary on Isaiah 57:3-12
(Read Isaiah 57:3-12)
The Lord here calls apostates and hypocrites to appear before him. When reproved for their sins, and threatened with judgments, they ridiculed the word of God. The Jews were guilty of idolatry before the captivity; but not after that affliction. Their zeal in the worship of false gods, may shame our indifference in the worship of the true God. The service of sin is disgraceful slavery; those who thus debase themselves to hell, will justly have their portion there. Men incline to a religion that inflames their unholy passions. They are led to do any evil, however great or vile, if they think it will atone for crimes, or purchase indulgence for some favourite lust. This explains idolatry, whether pagan, Jewish, or antichristian. But those who set up anything instead of God, for their hope and confidence, never will come to a right end. Those who forsake the only right way, wander in a thousand by-paths. The pleasures of sin soon tire, but never satisfy. Those who care not for the word of God and his providences, show they have no fear of God. Sin profits not; it ruins and destroys.