Isaiah 48:22

God’s final word that His people needed to hear was a word of warning (cf. Isaiah 57:21). For the wicked there is no peace (Heb. shalom, the fullness of divine blessing, cf. Isaiah 48:18). The wonderful promise just summarized (Isaiah 48:20-21) was no guarantee that Israel would enjoy God’s richest blessing if she continued to practice wickedness. The wicked Babylonians would not enjoy His shalom, and neither would they.

By way of application, God has similarly promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18). But that is no excuse for Christians to conclude that because our election is secure, we can sin with impunity and disregard God’s commands.