Isa 57:1-2 | JFB | STEP | In the midst of the excesses of the unfaithful watchmen ( , ), most of the few that are godly perish: partly by vexation at the prevailing ungodliness; partly by violent death in persecution: prophetical of the persecuting times of Manasseh, before God's judgments in causing the captivity in Babylon; and again those in the last age of the Church, before the final judgments on the apostasy ( ; Mt 23:29-35, 37; ). The Hebrew for "perisheth," and "is taken away," expresses a violent death ( ). 1. no man layeth it to heart-- as a public calamity. merciful men-- rather, godly men; the subjects of mercy. none considering-- namely, what was the design of Providence in removing the godly. from the evil-- Hebrew, from the face of the evil, that is, both from the moral evil on every side ( ), and from the evils about to come in punishment of the national sins, foreign invasions, &c. ( ; ). So Ahijah's death is represented as a blessing conferred on him by God for his piety ( ; see also ).

‏ Isaiah 57:1-2

CHAPTER 57 Is 57:1-21. The Peaceful Death of the Righteous Few: the Ungodliness of the Many: a Believing Remnant Shall Survive the General Judgments of the Nation, and Be Restored by Him Who Creates Peace.

In the midst of the excesses of the unfaithful watchmen (Is 56:10, 11, 12), most of the few that are godly perish: partly by vexation at the prevailing ungodliness; partly by violent death in persecution: prophetical of the persecuting times of Manasseh, before God's judgments in causing the captivity in Babylon; and again those in the last age of the Church, before the final judgments on the apostasy (2Ki 21:16; Mt 23:29-35, 37; Re 11:17). The Hebrew for "perisheth," and "is taken away," expresses a violent death (Mi 7:2).

1. no man layeth it to heart--as a public calamity.

merciful men--rather, godly men; the subjects of mercy.

none considering--namely, what was the design of Providence in removing the godly.

from the evil--Hebrew, from the face of the evil, that is, both from the moral evil on every side (Is 56:10-12), and from the evils about to come in punishment of the national sins, foreign invasions, &c. (Is 56:9; 57:13). So Ahijah's death is represented as a blessing conferred on him by God for his piety (1Ki 14:10-13; see also 2Ki 22:20).

2. Or, "he entereth into peace"; in contrast to the persecutions which he suffered in this world (Job 3:13, 17). The Margin not so well translates, "he shall go in peace" (Psa 37:37; Lu 2:29).

rest--the calm rest of their bodies in their graves (called "beds," 2Ch 16:14; compare Is 14:18; because they "sleep" in them, with the certainty of awakening at the resurrection, 1Th 4:14) is the emblem of the eternal "rest" (He 4:9; Re 14:13).

each one walking in ... uprightness--This clause defines the character of those who at death "rest in their beds," namely, all who walk uprightly.