What does it mean that there is no peace for the wicked?

The succeeding verses go on to speak of God's governmental dealings with the people. He had to deal in wrath with them because of their sin and rebellion, but He would not contend with them as a nation for ever. The moment would come when He would heal and bless, and establish peace, both for those far off and for those near. The term, "far off" may refer to the sons of Israel, who would be scattered, as distinguished from those who would be in the land. But what is said is true, if we understand it as referring to Gentiles, who were "far off," in the sense of Ephesians 2:13. But also in either case the peace has to be "created" by God, and is not something produced by men. Isaiah 53 has told us how the peace is created.

The peace is only for those who are brought into right relations with God. It is not for the wicked who, far from Him, are as restless as the sea. The winds keep the sea in perpetual agitation. Satan, who is "the prince of power of the air," keeps the wicked in a condition similar to the sea, and all their visible actions are like "mire and dirt."

Hence there can be no peace for the wicked. This solemn statement closed the first section of nine chapters. There seems however to be a deeper emphasis in its repetition, since we have now had before us the judgment of sin in the death of the Messiah, the sinless Substitute, in Isaiah 53.

Like the last, this section closes with a divine declaration as to the lawless among the people of God; “there is no peace” for them. Lawlessness in way and in word; lawlessness in doing and in thinking; lawlessness in working and in writing; i.e. the fulfilling of “the desires of the flesh and the thoughts,” and brings down the wrath of God. It is in complete contrast to abiding in His love and keeping His commandments. Sin is lawlessness; it is marked by restlessness and vileness; it leaves out God. The lawless know Him not. They are “like the troubled sea, which cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (v. 20). They will follow Antichrist when He comes. Already their restless activity is of the same spirit. The last verse of our section is similar to that of the previous section, “There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked” [or lawless].

"But the wicked" - solemn word of contrast - "are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." Or, as we read in Jude, "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame." Graphic picture, drawn by the Holy Ghost, of the state of a soul without God! And at the foot of the canvas He adds but this word, as an eternal inscription, "There is NO PEACE, saith my God, to the wicked."

The unregenerate man does not have a new divine nature; only those who are born of God have it. But the unregenerate man has a conscience. He knows in his conscience that he should love, respect and obey his Creator. But this thought is distasteful to him because he wants to have his own way and be master of his own destiny. He thus refuses to think about God. "The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest … 'There is no peace', saith my God 'for the wicked'" (Isa. 57:20-21).

The Scriptures leave us in no doubt at all as to the source from which this unrest, this lack of peace, and man's complete ignorance of the way to successfully deal with it, came. When God placed man in the garden of Eden there was, without doubt, an atmosphere of tranquillity. The second chapter of Genesis records no feature of unrest. God the Creator and man His creation were in happy communion! In 1 Corinthians 14:33 we read — "God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace." It was by man that sin came in, with all its consequent ruin and disorder. To disobey the command of God was an act of unrighteousness on the part of man, and Scripture most definitely asserts that peace cannot be known and enjoyed if unrighteousness prevails. "The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isaiah 32:17). "The kingdom of God" — where His rights are acknowledged — "is … righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17). If God Himself has not His right place in any sphere then all relationships are in confusion. Hence the tactics of Satan (cf. Genesis chapter 4). He is the Adversary — the Attacker — and his object was to displace God in the affections of His creature. Adam, by his fall introduced the principle of sin into the habitable world. Satan had already, by sin, brought confusion and disorder into the universe — he sinned from the outset ( 1 John 3:8). In his pride he exalted himself saying "I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14), and it was this spirit of self-exaltation which he so successfully introduced into the heart of man — "Ye shall be as gods." Throughout history men and nations have persisted in this course with its consequent disregard of the rights of God. "Go to, let us build us a city and a tower … and let us make us a name" is the language of Genesis 11. "Therefore is the name of it called Babel" (confusion). Languages were confounded, nations were scattered and confusion, enmity and unrest have characterised the movements of men throughout the centuries. Every effort to find a permanent basis for peace has failed, emphasising the truth of God — "There is no peace saith the Lord, unto the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22 and Isaiah 57:21).

Moreover, with all the outward glitter, such have within them a secret dread of God's presence; like Adam, they may truthfully say, "I was afraid, and hid myself." That which keeps men "far off" is the dread of being near to God. Such is the wicked character of sin, that the carnal mind is not only at enmity and rebellion against God, but it leads men to shrink away from the light of His presence: hence they fear death, not because of the painful moment of separation between soul and body, but because of the dread of appearing before the Majesty of heaven. They fear judgment, because they fear being banished into outer darkness. They have no peace, because they know not the virtue of that precious blood which cleanses from all sin; and they try to banish these thoughts from their minds, by seeking a sphere for their energies and amusements outside the presence of God. It was here the Ephesians were when the gospel reached them; they were dead in trespasses and sins, afar off, having no hope, and without God in the world; and such is the state of many now,

This is the question, dear reader, to which we now invite your attention. But, first of all, it will be necessary to explain why it is that all do not possess it. God made man upright; and Adam, when in the garden of Eden, before he listened to the voice of the tempter, enjoyed the visits and the presence of God. The moment he sinned, he was afraid, and sought to hide himself among the trees of the garden. (Gen. 3.) Up till that time he was innocent, now he was a sinner; and the scripture says, "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." There could therefore, be no peace between a holy God and sinners in their sins; for the will of the sinner is opposed to the will of God. Hence we read that the carnal mind (the mind of the flesh) is enmity against God (Rom. 8); and again of those who were alienated, and enemies in mind by wicked works. (Col. 1:21.) This is the reason why all have not peace with God; because, in a word, they are sinners; and, it may be added, until this is acknowledged, it is impossible to discover God's way of peace.

In Revelation, as here, God’s earthly people are called to come out of her (Rev. 18:4; Isa. 48:20). God rightly looks for true separation to Himself, and indeed lasting joy and happiness are only to be found there, as now, in that path; for God no sooner says, “Go ye forth of Babylon” (Isa. 48:20). than He adds, “With a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob.” But here as in the next section, this ends by saying to the lawless among the people of God, “There is no peace, says the Lord, unto the wicked (lawless)” (v. 22). The true God, the only God, fully revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ, looks for faithfulness to Himself.

No peace for the wicked (48:22).

This chapter touches once more upon the different phases of Jehovah's messages from chapters 40-47. Israel's apostate condition, Jehovah's sovereign grace and mercy towards them, Cyrus (verses 14-15), the blessings of the future for a converted remnant of His people, are all mentioned again. Solemn is the declaration that whatever Jehovah does, whatever comfort and peace He bestows, however grand and glorious the blessings of the future are, the wicked are forever excluded. There is no peace unto the wicked.

Gracious is the promise to the feeble remnant, those who are contrite and humble. "I have seen his ways and will heal him. I will lead him also and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners." Peace is promised to him that is afar off (Gentiles) and to him that is near (Israel). It will be fully realized in the kingdom. "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." It is the same solemn declaration which stands last in chapter 58. Comfort and peace for all, except for the wicked. It is a complete answer to the heresy of the present day, which claims that all Israel, including the wicked dead, will be saved and have a share in the Kingdom of Peace.