Isaiah 57:11

11 Whom did you dread and fear so that you lied, and did not remember me or give me a thought? Have I not kept silent and closed my eyes, and so you do not fear me?

Isaiah 57:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast
lied
By assuming the name of Christian, when it did not belong to her; as it does not to the church of Rome which is antichristian: this lie is told, not out of any fear of God, or reverence of Christ; for she has no fear or reverence of either; but to serve a purpose, to blind the eyes of men under the Christian name, and, with a pretence to serve the cause of Christianity, to get all Christendom under her power: and hast not remembered me;
or, "for thou hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart?" or, "put me upon thy heart" F24; had no regard to Christ, nor had true faith in him, nor love to him; but all the reverse; degraded him in his offices, corrupted his doctrines, ordinances, and worship. The Targum is,

``and hast not remembered my worship, nor put my fear upon thy heart:''
and have not held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not
or, "therefore thou fearest me not" F25; because as yet the vials of God's wrath are not poured out, or his judgment inflicted on antichrist; but, ever since he began to reign, he has enjoyed great prosperity; therefore he fears not God, nor regards man; but says, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow", ( Revelation 18:7 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Kbl le tmv al trkz al) "nam mei non es recordata, neque posuisti me super cor tuum", Grotius.
F25 (waryt al ytwaw) "idcirco me non times", Calvin, Piscator, Gataker.

Isaiah 57:11 In-Context

9 You journeyed to Molech with oil, and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away, and sent down even to Sheol.
10 You grew weary from your many wanderings, but you did not say, "It is useless." You found your desire rekindled, and so you did not weaken.
11 Whom did you dread and fear so that you lied, and did not remember me or give me a thought? Have I not kept silent and closed my eyes, and so you do not fear me?
12 I will concede your righteousness and your works, but they will not help you.
13 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land and inherit my holy mountain.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Gk Vg: Heb [silent even for a long time]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.