The Righteous and the Wicked in a Fallen World (Part I)

In Isaiah 56:9–57:13, we observe two consequences of
sinful leaders.
I. Sinful leaders leave the community unprotected
(v. 9).
A. They should be protecting watchmen, but
instead, they are blind, ignorant, silent,
asleep, and greedy (vs. 10–11b).
B. They should be protecting shepherds, but
instead, they are undiscerning,
unrepentant, unwise, and unaware (vs.
11c–12).

II. Sinful leaders bring Yahweh's judgment.
A. The number of righteous people decreases
as they die in peace, but no one cares
(vs. 1–2).
B. Yahweh summons the idolators to the
bench, for he will not be mocked (vs. 3–4c).
C. Yahweh presents evidence (vs. 4d–10)
D. Yahweh exposes his people's work as
fraudulent and unprofitable because they
did not fear or remember him (vs. 11–12).
E. Yahweh pronounces his verdict: The wicked
will trust in idols and not be delivered, but
those who take refuge in Yahweh will be
delivered to eternal life (v. 13).