I create the fruit of the lips; Peace peace to him that is far off and to him that is near saith the Lord ; and I will heal him.Isaiah 57:19 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: God shapes the words we speak and offers peace to everyone — both those who are near and those who are far — and promises healing. - Big idea: God restores people through the power of words and extends peace and healing to all, regardless of distance. - Key points: - “Fruit of the lips” points to words that come from the heart — praise, confession, or true speech that God uses. - “Peace, peace” is an emphatic promise: God gives wholeness and reconciliation both to the distant and the close. - The verse ties words, peace, and healing together: God’s creative word brings restoration. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Isaiah 57 is a chapter contrasting the ruin of idolatry and selfish living with God’s mercy for the humble and contrite. Verse 19 appears in the closing section where God promises restoration after judgement. - Story timeline: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah (8th century BC). The chapter addresses a people suffering from societal breakdown and spiritual unfaithfulness; God speaks both warning and comfort through the prophet to Israel (or Judah). - Surrounding passage: - Just before (v. 18): God says He has seen people’s ways and thoughts and has comforted and guided them because they repented. - Verse 19 (our verse) gives the promise of peace and healing to those far and near. - Immediately after (v. 20–21) the passage contrasts the righteous restoration with the fate of idolaters, reinforcing that God returns the faithful to a right place. ## Explanation - Quick take: God uses human speech (“fruit of the lips”) to bring praise and confession, and He answers by granting peace and healing to all people — whether they’ve been distant from God or have remained near. - In Depth: - “I create the fruit of the lips” — God is the originator and giver of words that truly matter. This phrase can mean God inspires praise, repentance, and life-giving speech. It may also indicate that God shapes the outcome or “fruit” that our words produce. - “Peace, peace” — repeating “peace” stresses the certainty and abundance of God’s gift. In Hebrew literature, doubling a word often serves to intensify the idea, like “completely peace” or “lasting peace.” - “To him that is far off, and to him that is near” — the promise is inclusive. It can mean people who have been spiritually distant vs. those close to God, or geographically distant communities (exiles) as well as those nearby. The intent is clear: God reaches everyone. - “And I will heal him” — healing here likely includes spiritual restoration (forgiveness, reconciliation), emotional mending, and possibly social or communal restoration. God’s peace brings wholeness. - The verse connects God’s creative power with relational restoration: God not only pronounces peace but brings about the conditions for it by healing the people. ## Key Words - Peri (fruit) — product, result, something that grows from a source; here used metaphorically for what comes from the lips. - Sefatayim (lips) — the mouth; often implies speech, praise, confession. - Shalom (peace) — more than absence of conflict: wholeness, well-being, restored relationship. - Rapha (heal) — to mend, restore, make whole (spiritual, emotional, physical, or social). ## Background - Ancient cultural/literary note: In the Ancient Near East, gods were often seen as controlling nature and fate; prophets spoke God’s word into people’s circumstances. Isaiah’s voice balances judgment with promise: although idolatry led to destruction, God remains able and willing to restore those who are humble and repentant. - Historically, the audience would have included people affected by war, exile, and broken social order — contexts where “peace” and “healing” were urgent needs. The language of “far” and “near” fits situations of displacement (exiles) as well as spiritual distance. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God initiates restoration: peace and healing come from God’s creative power and word. - God’s mercy is inclusive: both the distant and the near receive the same promise. - True peace involves healing — not only political calm but inner and relational wholeness. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Use your words carefully — speak encouragement and truth. God can use simple, sincere words of praise or reconciliation to change a workplace culture toward peace. - For parents: Model honest words (confession and encouragement). The “fruit of the lips” in a home can create an atmosphere where kids feel safe and relationships heal. - For seekers or the spiritually distant: This verse shows God reaches out to you. “Far” isn’t permanent; God offers peace and healing when you turn toward Him. - For the hurting: Expect restoration that includes both comfort and repair — your wounds matter to God and He promises to heal. - Reflection questions: 1. What kinds of words am I producing — fruit that harms or fruit that heals? 2. Who in my life needs a word of peace or reconciliation from me this week? 3. Do I see myself as “near” or “far” from God, and what would a step toward healing look like? - Short prayer: Lord, shape my words to bring life and peace; reach those who are far and heal what is broken in us today. Amen. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.” - NIV: “I create the praise of the lips. ‘Peace, peace to those far and near,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will heal them.’” - ESV: “‘I create the fruit of the lips; peace, peace to the far and the near,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will heal them.’” - NLT: “I create the fruit of the lips: ‘Peace, peace to the far and to the near,’ announces the LORD. ‘I will heal them.’” - Why differences matter: - “Fruit of the lips” vs “praise of the lips”: translators choose either a literal image (fruit) or a functional gloss (praise). Both point to spoken outcome, but “praise” narrows the idea to worshipful speech, while “fruit” leaves it broader (any productive speech). - Singular “him” (KJV) vs plural “them” (NIV/ESV/NLT): Hebrew verbs sometimes allow flexible number. Plural reads emphasize community restoration; singular can emphasize the individual’s experience but may feel less inclusive in modern English. - Repetition “Peace, peace” is preserved in all translations to show emphasis, but how it’s punctuated affects rhythm and sense (a declaration vs a poetic call). ## FAQs - Q: Who are “the far off” and “the near”? Short answer: It can mean both spiritually distant and spiritually close people, and also those displaced (exiles) vs those remaining in the land. Isaiah’s language deliberately includes everyone — people who have drifted away from God and those who are close to Him — signaling that God’s peace and healing are extended universally. In the New Testament, Paul and others pick up this same language to describe God’s mission to both Jews (near) and Gentiles (far), suggesting a widening of God’s restorative reach. So whether you feel spiritually distant or already close, this verse’s promise is meant for you. - Q: What does “fruit of the lips” mean — is it just praise? Short answer: “Fruit of the lips” refers to the tangible results our speech produces — praise, confession, blessing, repentance, and life-giving words. Some translations render it as “praise of the lips,” highlighting worshipful speech. But the image of “fruit” allows for a wider sense: words that bear results. In the context of Isaiah, it likely includes repentance and praise that come from a changed heart. The verse suggests that when God shapes those words, they become instruments of peace and healing. ## Cross References - Isaiah 57:18 — God says He has seen people’s ways and guided the contrite, linking to the promise of healing. - Isaiah 57:15 — God dwells with the contrite and lowly; restoration belongs to the humble. - Ephesians 2:17 — “He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near,” directly echoing Isaiah’s language in a New Testament context. - Psalm 19:14 — “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable,” related to the idea of Godly speech. - Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God,” connects peace with restored relationship. ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators see Isaiah 57:19 as a consolatory promise in the middle of warnings — God condemns idolatry but promises life to the humble and penitent. The verse is often read as a turning point: God moves from judgment language to the language of creation (“I create...”), peace, and healing. Many also note the later New Testament writers (especially Paul) echoing the “far and near” language to describe the gospel’s reach. - 3–4 bullets for group study: - Read verses 15–21 aloud and mark where judgment ends and promise begins. Where do you see a shift in tone? - Discuss personal examples of how words either wound or heal. How might the group practice “fruitful lips” this week? - Compare Isaiah 57:19 with Ephesians 2:17 — what continuity do you see between prophet and apostle? - Practice an exercise: each person shares one short, restorative word (a blessing or reconciliation) for another in the group. ## Related verses (compare and contrast) - Ephesians 2:17 — “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” Why: New Testament fulfillment and echo of Isaiah’s inclusive promise (far and near). - Psalm 19:14 — “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable.” Why: Both link the heart and mouth — the quality of speech matters to God. - Isaiah 57:15 — “I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit…” Why: Shows the prerequisite attitude (humility) tied to receiving God’s peace and healing. ## Talk to the Bible Try the “Talk To The Bible” feature to explore this verse interactively. Suggested prompts: - “Explain how Isaiah 57:19 connects to Ephesians 2:17 and what that means for the gospel’s scope.” - “Give five practical ways I can speak ‘fruitful’ words that bring peace at work or home.” - “Write a short guided prayer and confession based on ‘fruit of the lips’ for a small group to use.”
