What does Isaiah 57:11 mean?
"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?" - Isaiah 57:11
Isaiah 57:11 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "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?"
This verse from the book of Isaiah is a part of the larger passage directed at the people of Israel, who are being rebuked for their unfaithfulness to God. The speaker in this verse is God, and He is addressing the people's fear and lack of reverence for Him. The verse conveys a sense of disappointment and frustration on God's part as He questions why the people have been unfaithful, despite His past patience and tolerance.
The overarching theme of this verse is the unfaithfulness of Israel, and the lack of fear and reverence towards God. The verse reflects God's lament over the fact that the people have turned away from Him, despite His patience and history of compassion towards them. It is both an expression of God's disappointment in the unfaithful behavior of the Israelites and a call for them to repent and return to Him.
The context of this verse is essential to understanding its meaning. The book of Isaiah is set during a period of great turmoil for the people of Israel, as they face the impending threat of exile due to their disobedience and unfaithfulness. The verses leading up to Isaiah 57:11 detail the various sins and transgressions committed by the people of Israel, and God's mounting anger and disappointment with them. The verse is a culmination of God's rebuke and a plea for the people to remember their covenant with Him.
The symbolism in this verse is apparent as it reflects the relationship between God and His people. The lie and lack of remembrance mentioned in the verse symbolize the unfaithfulness of Israel towards God. Their fear of other powers and lack of reverence for God is represented as a betrayal towards Him. The verse also symbolizes God's patience and long-suffering nature, as He has held his peace "even of old" - an indication of His enduring patience towards the people.
The verse holds relevance beyond its historical context, as it serves as a timeless reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the importance of revering and remembering God. It is a warning against turning away from God and seeking solace in worldly powers, as well as a call for repentance and restoration of the covenant relationship with God.
In conclusion, Isaiah 57:11 in the King James Version of the Bible is a poignant expression of God's disappointment with the unfaithfulness of Israel and a call for them to return to Him. The verse reflects themes of unfaithfulness, fear, and the consequences of turning away from God. It serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of remembering and revering God, as well as a call for repentance and restoration of faith. The verse's symbolism and its context in the larger book of Isaiah provide deeper insight into its meaning and significance in the biblical narrative.
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Isaiah 57:11 - "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?"
"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?" - Isaiah 57:11
Isaiah 57:1-2
Isaiah 57:21 - "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
Isaiah 57:12 - "I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee."
Isaiah 57:3 - "¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore."
Isaiah 57:20 - "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."
"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." - Isaiah 57:21
Isaiah 57:2 - "He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness."
Isaiah 57:5 - "Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?"
Psalms 57:11 - "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth."
Isaiah 57:19 - "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."
Isaiah 57:14 - "And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people."
Isaiah 57:17 - "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."
Isaiah 57:7 - "Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice."
Isaiah 57:20-21 - "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked."
Isaiah 57:16 - "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."
Isaiah 57:1 - "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."
Isaiah 57:18 - "I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners."
Isaiah 57:9 - "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."
Isaiah 57:10 - "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."
Isaiah 57:4 - "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,"
"I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee." - Isaiah 57:12
"¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore." - Isaiah 57:3
John 11:57 - "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."
Isaiah 57:6 - "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?"
Isaiah 57:15 - "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."
Isaiah 57:1-2 - "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous are taken away from calamity, they enter into peace; those who walk uprightly will rest on their beds."
Isaiah 57:18-19 - "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”"
"He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness." - Isaiah 57:2