What does Isaiah 57:12 mean?
"I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee." - Isaiah 57:12
Isaiah 57:12 in the King James Version reads, "I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee." This verse comes from the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, which is known for its prophecies, messages of comfort, and calls for repentance. In order to understand the full meaning and commentary of this verse, it is crucial to examine its context within the larger passage of Isaiah 57, as well as the themes and symbolism contained within.
The Book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE during a time of great political and social upheaval in the Kingdom of Judah. The people had turned away from God and were engaging in idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption. As a result, Isaiah was called by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, and hope to the people of Judah. Through his prophecies, Isaiah sought to call the people to repentance and obedience to God's will, and to assure them of God's faithfulness and promise of restoration.
In Isaiah 57, the prophet addresses the spiritual adultery and idolatry of the people, condemning their futile attempts to seek protection and satisfaction from false gods. The verse in question, Isaiah 57:12, is a part of a larger passage in which God confronts the people for their reliance on their own righteousness and works, which are deemed inadequate and worthless in God's sight. The verse reflects the divine pronouncement that their attempts to justify themselves through their actions will ultimately be of no benefit to them.
The theme of righteousness and works in this verse is consistent with the broader theme in the book of Isaiah, which emphasizes the importance of true repentance, obedience to God's commandments, and reliance on God's righteousness rather than human efforts. The verse serves as a reminder that human self-righteousness and deeds, no matter how seemingly good or righteous they may be, cannot save or deliver people from the consequences of sin. It is only through faith in God and His redemptive work that true righteousness and salvation can be attained.
The verse also contains a message of warning and judgment, as it emphasizes the futility of relying on one's own efforts and merits for salvation. It serves as a cautionary reminder that pride and self-reliance are obstacles to genuine repentance and dependence on God. The emptiness of human achievements and the need for humble submission to God's will are central themes in Isaiah's prophecies.
Moreover, the symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between human righteousness and works and the righteousness of God. It underscores the inadequacy of human efforts to earn favor with God and the necessity of divine grace and mercy for salvation. The verse highlights the inherent limitations of human righteousness and the need for God's intervention and provision of true righteousness.
In conclusion, Isaiah 57:12 conveys a powerful message about the futility of relying on human righteousness and works for salvation. It serves as a call to humility, repentance, and dependence on God's righteousness. The verse reflects the overarching themes of judgment, warning, and hope found throughout the book of Isaiah, and it carries a timeless relevance for all people who seek true righteousness and salvation. It ultimately points to the redemptive work of God and the necessity of faith and reliance on Him for true righteousness and deliverance.
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Isaiah 57:12 - "I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee."
"I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee." - Isaiah 57:12
Isaiah 57:1-2
Isaiah 57:21 - "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
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."
Luke 12:57 - "Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
"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?"
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."
"Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" - Luke 12:57
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,"
"¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore." - Isaiah 57:3
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?"
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
Isaiah 57:8 - "Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it."