Backsliding – Isaiah 57:14-21

The Hebrew word translated “backsliding” in the English Standard Version of Isaiah 57:17 can mean backturning, recusant, or apostate, according to Brown, Driver and Briggs.  Never heard the word “recusant”?  Me either.  It means unwilling to submit to authority.  It was used in the 16th to 18th centuries of Catholics who would not conform to the law that required attendance at Church of England services, the state church then separated from the Catholic Church.  They could be penalized for being recusants.  Protestants who refused to attend Church of England services were distinguished as dissenters or nonconformists.  They were the ones who often fled to America for freedom from this law.  Isaiah prophesies to the recusants of Israel, the backsliders to turned their backs of Yahweh’s love and law for quite some time.

And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.”  For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:  “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.  For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.  Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.  I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips.  Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him.  But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.  There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”  (Isaiah 57:14-21 ESV)

Though God has put obstructions in His peoples’ way, He did it because of Israel’s “backsliding” heart, her unwillingness to follow the right path.  Instead she sought gain from hurting others.  But now His anger has been satisfied and He has seen His peoples’ contrite and lowly spirits, seen their repentance, and He moves to comfort them now.  He offers “peace, peace” to those near and far if they will humble themselves.

The place where the high and lifted up One dwells is in eternity and in a high and holy place, but He also dwells with the one who humbles himself.  He speaks peace and healing to that one.

But there is no peace for those who continue to walk in wickedness.  They will stay in turmoil.  They will not lower themselves to dwell with the One whose name is Holy.

Discussion Questions

1. What has been your concept of “backsliding” as a Christian up until this point?
2. Who do you think the saying refers to as obstructing God’s people on their way back to Him?
3. Why would the One who dwells in the high and holy place want anything to do with the “contrite and lowly of spirit”?
4. What do you think would happen if God did contend forever with sinners?
5. How did God speak peace to you and bring you back to Himself?
6. Who are you concerned about that is like the tossing sea and cannot be quiet?