Meaning of Isaiah 57:19

This verse from Isaiah 57:19 offers a profound promise of divine restoration and peace to both the distant and the immediate, stemming from a divine act of creating praise. The prophet Isaiah, in a section dealing with the unfaithfulness of Israel and the subsequent judgment, pivots to a message of hope and future redemption. The "creating praise on their lips" signifies a supernatural impartation of joy and worship, suggesting that healing and peace are not merely the absence of suffering but an active, God-given expression of gratitude and spiritual well-being. This is not a passive state but an active proclamation, a testament to God's power to transform the deepest despair into vibrant praise. The repetition of "peace, peace" underscores the completeness and profundity of this divine offering, extending its reach to all who are separated from God, whether by distance, sin, or circumstance, with a guarantee of healing.

Context and Background

Isaiah 57 precedes this verse with a somber depiction of Israel's spiritual and moral decay, characterized by idolatry, violence, and a turning away from God. The people had made alliances with foreign powers and engaged in syncretic religious practices, leading to divine judgment. This verse emerges from a section (Isaiah 56-66) that moves from denunciation to a vision of future restoration, a theme that intensifies as the book progresses. The promise of peace and healing is specifically directed towards those who are "far and near," implying a scope that transcends the immediate community of the faithful and encompasses even those who have strayed or are geographically distant. This foreshadows the universal reach of God's redemptive plan.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Creation of Praise: The verb "creating" (Hebrew: bara') is significant, often used for God's unique acts of creation. Here, it suggests that praise is not a mere human emotion but something divinely initiated and empowered, a fruit of God's restorative work.
• Universal Peace: The declaration "Peace, peace" emphasizes the totality and depth of the peace God offers. It's not just an absence of conflict but a comprehensive well-being, encompassing spiritual, emotional, and relational harmony.
• Inclusivity of Healing: The phrase "to those far and near" highlights God's desire to extend His healing and peace to all, regardless of their current spiritual or physical distance from Him.
• God's Initiative in Healing: The verse concludes with "And I will heal them," a direct affirmation of God's active role in restoring His people.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse is a powerful declaration of God's redemptive power. It teaches that true healing and peace originate from God and are often expressed through worship and praise. For believers, it signifies that even in times of spiritual brokenness or distance from God, His offer of reconciliation and wholeness remains. The "creating praise" can be understood as the Holy Spirit working within believers to foster a spirit of gratitude and joy, even amidst trials, as a testament to God's ongoing work of restoration. The promise of peace to those "far and near" encourages believers to extend God's message of reconciliation and healing to others, recognizing the universal scope of His love.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Isaiah 57:19 aligns with the overarching biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and His redemptive plan for humanity. It foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who embodies God's peace and offers healing to all who believe, regardless of their background or perceived distance from God. The New Testament frequently echoes this theme, as seen in Ephesians 2:11-22, where Christ breaks down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, bringing peace to both. The concept of praise as an outflow of divine redemption is also central to the Psalms and the book of Revelation, where heavenly worship is a constant theme.

Analogies

• A Broken Instrument: Imagine a musical instrument that is out of tune or damaged. The musician doesn't just passively wait for it to fix itself; they actively tune it, repair it, and then create beautiful music. Similarly, God actively intervenes to "create praise" and "heal," transforming brokenness into harmony.
• A Lost Traveler: A traveler lost in a desert might be filled with despair. When a rescuer finds them, offers water, and guides them back to civilization, the traveler's despair is replaced with immense relief and gratitude, leading to joyful praise. This illustrates God's rescue and the praise that follows.
• A Gardener and a Barren Plant: A gardener doesn't abandon a barren plant; they tend to it, fertilize it, and prune it, bringing forth new life and fruit. God, in His grace, cultivates a spirit of praise and healing in those who were spiritually barren.

Relation to Other Verses

• Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to those in darkness." This verse directly parallels Isaiah 57:19 in its promise of healing and liberation.
• Jeremiah 33:6: "Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and faithfulness." This prophetic utterance echoes the theme of divine healing and peace.
• Ephesians 2:14: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." This New Testament passage explains how Christ accomplished the peace promised by Isaiah, uniting divided peoples.
• Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This verse connects hope, joy, and peace to trusting God and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, aligning with the concept of God creating praise.