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God Condemns Idolatry
Isaiah 57:3–13 is a sharp prophetic rebuke. The passage uses strong family and marriage language to expose unfaithfulness to God, naming both mocking speech and idol worship as serious offences.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the speaker calls people near in order to accuse them directly. The verses move through mocking behaviour, worship under trees and among stones, offerings and covenants made apart from God, then end by contrasting useless idols with safety for the one who takes refuge in God.
Isaiah 57:3–13Main takeaway
This passage teaches that God rejects idolatry and empty alliances, while calling people to find refuge in him alone.
Explore the message
01A summons that exposes rebellionThe passage begins with a direct summons and severe labels. The people are called near, then described as offspring linked with sorcery, adultery and prostitution.
Explanation
The passage begins with a direct summons and severe labels. The people are called near, then described as offspring linked with sorcery, adultery and prostitution. These terms fit the passage’s accusation of spiritual unfaithfulness. Their mocking faces and tongues show open contempt, and God names them children of disobedience and falsehood.
02Worship in the wrong placesThe next verses list actions connected with idolatry. The people burn with desire among oaks and under green trees.
Explanation
The next verses list actions connected with idolatry. The people burn with desire among oaks and under green trees. The passage also condemns killing children in the valleys. Instead of looking to God, they treat smooth stones as their portion and pour out drink offerings and other offerings to them. God asks whether he should accept this.
03Unfaithfulness described as broken covenantThe prophecy continues with mountain sacrifices and memorials set behind doors and posts. The language of bed and covenant presents idolatry as unfaithfulness to God.
Explanation
The prophecy continues with mountain sacrifices and memorials set behind doors and posts. The language of bed and covenant presents idolatry as unfaithfulness to God. The people pursue other loyalties eagerly. They even go to the king with oil and perfumes, sending ambassadors far away and lowering themselves deeply.
04Persisting, forgetting, and the final contrastAlthough their path is long and wearying, they do not call it useless, because they keep finding strength to continue.
Explanation
Although their path is long and wearying, they do not call it useless, because they keep finding strength to continue. God asks whom they feared so much that they lied and forgot him. He says their works will not profit them. In the end, their gathered helpers vanish like wind, but the one who takes refuge in God inherits the land and his holy mountain.
Questions to explore
01How does the passage show that the people’s sin was not only private belief but visible action?
Look for speech, worship practices, offerings, political efforts and the final test of who can actually deliver them.
02What pictures does the passage use to describe idolatry as unfaithfulness?
Notice the family labels at the start and the marriage-bed and covenant language in the middle.
03What is the contrast between the people’s gathered idols or allies and the person who takes refuge in God?
Compare what happens when they cry out for help with the promise given to the one who trusts God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 57:3–13
3“But draw near here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes.
4Whom do you mock? Against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you children of disobedience and offspring of falsehood,
5you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
6Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion. They, they are your lot. You have even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things?
7On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
8You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts, for you have exposed yourself to someone besides me, and have gone up. You have enlarged your bed and made a covenant for yourself with them. You loved what you saw on their bed.
9You went to the king with oil, increased your perfumes, sent your ambassadors far off, and degraded yourself even to Sheol.
10You were wearied with the length of your ways; yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’ You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren’t faint.
11“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven’t I held my peace for a long time, and you don’t fear me?
12I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they will not benefit you.
13When you cry, let those whom you have gathered deliver you, but the wind will take them. A breath will carry them all away, but he who takes refuge in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.”