Read & explore together
Healing for the Repentant
Isaiah 57:14–21 speaks as prophecy and teaching about God’s way for his people. The passage joins a call to remove obstacles with a promise that the Holy One is near to the humble and brings healing and peace.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the speaker announces preparation of a way for God’s people, then explains God’s own words about where he dwells, why he was angry, and what he will do. The passage ends by contrasting healing and peace with the unrest of the wicked.
Isaiah 57:14–21Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Holy God opposes sinful ways, yet he revives and heals the humble, while the wicked do not have peace.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Prepare the wayThe passage opens with a command to make a clear road for “my people”. The “stumbling-block” is something in the way that must be removed.
Explanation
The passage opens with a command to make a clear road for “my people”. The “stumbling-block” is something in the way that must be removed. The focus is not on telling a story scene, but on God’s call to clear what hinders his people from returning rightly.
02The Holy One is near to the humbleGod is described as “high and lofty”, eternal, and named “Holy”. Yet this same God says he is also with the person who is “contrite and humble”.
Explanation
God is described as “high and lofty”, eternal, and named “Holy”. Yet this same God says he is also with the person who is “contrite and humble”. His purpose is to revive them. “Contrite” points to a crushed or sorrowful heart, not pride or self-importance.
03Anger does not last foreverGod says he will not contend forever or always be angry, because people would faint before him.
Explanation
God says he will not contend forever or always be angry, because people would faint before him. The passage then gives a reason for anger: “iniquity” and “covetousness”. Even after being struck, the person kept “backsliding”, showing a stubborn direction of heart.
04Healing, comfort and peaceAfter seeing these ways, God says, “I will heal him.” He also promises to lead, restore comforts, and speak “Peace, peace” to those far off and near.
Explanation
After seeing these ways, God says, “I will heal him.” He also promises to lead, restore comforts, and speak “Peace, peace” to those far off and near. Peace here is God’s declared gift, joined with healing and restoration, not merely a quiet feeling.
05The wicked have no peaceThe final contrast is strong. The wicked are compared to a troubled sea that cannot rest and keeps stirring up mire and mud.
Explanation
The final contrast is strong. The wicked are compared to a troubled sea that cannot rest and keeps stirring up mire and mud. God’s closing word is clear: there is no peace for the wicked. The passage therefore separates humble healing from ongoing wickedness.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two places does God say he dwells, and why is that surprising?
Notice the contrast between the “high and holy place” and being with the “contrite and humble spirit”.
02Why does the passage say God was angry, and what did the person keep doing?
Look for the words describing sin and the continued direction of the heart.
03How does the passage contrast the healed with the wicked?
Compare God’s promise of peace and healing with the image of the restless sea and the final statement about peace.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 57:14–21
14He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”
15For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.
17I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
20But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest and its waters cast up mire and mud.
21“There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”