Isaiah 57:14
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
Original Language Analysis
סֹ֖לּוּ
Cast ye up
H5549
סֹ֖לּוּ
Cast ye up
Strong's:
H5549
Word #:
2 of 9
to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam)
סֹ֖לּוּ
Cast ye up
H5549
סֹ֖לּוּ
Cast ye up
Strong's:
H5549
Word #:
3 of 9
to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam)
פַּנּוּ
prepare
H6437
פַּנּוּ
prepare
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
4 of 9
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
מִדֶּ֥רֶךְ
out of the way
H1870
מִדֶּ֥רֶךְ
out of the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 9
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָרִ֥ימוּ
take up
H7311
הָרִ֥ימוּ
take up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
6 of 9
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
מִכְשׁ֖וֹל
the stumblingblock
H4383
מִכְשׁ֖וֹל
the stumblingblock
Strong's:
H4383
Word #:
7 of 9
a stumbling-block, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple)
Cross References
Isaiah 62:10Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.Isaiah 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.Isaiah 40:3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Jeremiah 18:15Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;Romans 14:13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.1 Corinthians 8:13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.Hebrews 12:13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.1 Corinthians 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;2 Corinthians 6:3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:1 Corinthians 8:9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Historical Context
This prophecy had partial fulfillment in the return from Babylonian exile, when God stirred Cyrus to release the captives and they rebuilt Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). However, its ultimate fulfillment is in Christ's coming to remove the barrier of sin and make a way of salvation (Hebrews 9:8-12, 10:19-20). The New Testament sees John the Baptist as fulfilling this preparatory role, calling for repentance to prepare hearts for Christ (Matthew 3:1-3).
Questions for Reflection
- What obstacles in our hearts and minds prevent us from fully trusting and following Christ?
- How does God's sovereign grace remove the stumblingblocks that we cannot remove ourselves?
- In what ways are we called to prepare the way for others to hear the gospel?
Analysis & Commentary
The tone shifts dramatically to gospel promise: "Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, remove the stumblingblock out of the way of my people." This highway preparation imagery appears elsewhere in Isaiah (40:3-4, 62:10), prophesying the removal of obstacles preventing God's people from returning to Him. The repetition "cast up, cast up" emphasizes urgency and certainty. The "stumblingblock" (mikshol) represents whatever hinders relationship with God—whether sin, false teaching, or spiritual blindness. This verse is quoted in connection with John the Baptist's ministry (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4-6, John 1:23), preparing for Messiah's coming. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates God's sovereign grace in salvation: God Himself removes the obstacles preventing His people's return. Human effort doesn't clear the way; divine grace does. This is the doctrine of effectual calling—God not only invites but removes every hindrance and draws His elect irresistibly to salvation (John 6:44, Philippians 1:6).