• Vv. 1-2 This is not meant to be seen as God killing off the righteous, but rather that there are generally less and less righteous in the world. No one laying it to heart is indicative that no one recognizes that with the righteous, so withdraws the outpouring of God. God is seen taking up his righteous that they may be in peace, away from the evil of this world.

• Vv. 3-10 God is describing the people of Israel, but surely it sounds more like a pagan people. He calls them sons of sorceresses instead of sons of Abraham. This sets the tone for this section, as though they are physical descendants of the promise, their spiritual life is far from that blessed line. The next verses vividly describe an idolatrous and immoral people.

• Vv. 11-13 The Israelites that did not fear God are told to turn not to God but to their idols in their moments of fear and destruction.

• Vv. 14-15 God allows the repentant hearts to return to him, even removing obstacles that they may come to him.

• Vv. 16-19 God shows compassion even in judgement, eventually turning aside that he may restore a people unto himself. This promise is for those both “near and far”; meaning Jew and Gentile.

• Vv. 20-21 There will be peace for those who seek forgiveness, but for those stubborn in their ways they will not find peace.

What does this passage say about the dwelling place of God?

There is a lot of contrasts between two groups of people in chapters 56 and 57. How do these contrasts relate to our own walk with Christ today?

How do we see the restlessness described at the end of the chapter?