Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 2

message (literally word): This heading (see Isaiah 1:1) likely introduces the revelation of chapters 2–12. The main focus is on Judah, but some passages also include:

• the nations in general (Isaiah 2:2–4),

• all humankind (Isaiah 2:6–22),

• Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel (Isaiah 7–9), and

• the Assyrians (Isaiah 10).

One day, God's generous salvation will reach beyond Israel and Judah. This will lead nations to come to Zion, not for war, but to receive blessings and live by God's rules.

Isaiah urged Judah to see the benefits that other nations would gain. He wanted to inspire the people of Judah (Isaiah 2:5) to feel motivated and follow the Lord, so they would not miss out on that day.

This section is almost exactly repeated in Micah 4:1–3.

• In the Old Testament, the phrase the last days generally refers to a future time (see Jeremiah 49:39; Ezekiel 38:16; Hosea 3:5). In the New Testament, it refers to the period that started with the arrival of Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). More specifically, it refers to the time just before the end of the current age (2 Peter 3:3).

• The mountain of the Lord’s house refers to the Temple Mount. This place symbolizes God’s glorious exaltation (see Isaiah 6:1) and his kingdom on earth. Isaiah’s focus on God’s supreme kingship comes from his famous vision of God (Isaiah 6).

• Isaiah’s prophetic hope was not a narrow nationalistic dream. It included people from all over the world, beyond Judah and Jerusalem.

• Human society will change as people follow God's revelation and his ways.

• Judah had already received God’s teaching and word, but they did not obey it (Isaiah 1:10–15). However, the nations will be ready to do God's will.

• The kingdom of God becomes clear when conflict and violence stop. It is characterized by peace (Romans 14:17). People will either choose to cooperate or be compelled to stop fighting (Psalm 46:9). Nations will choose divine judgment instead of war (see Isaiah 1:18–20).

• The words judge and arbitrate describe God's actions here, but later verses show the Messiah as the one who delivers justice (Isaiah 11:3–4). When this happens, war will end, and nations will turn their weapons into farming tools.

• swords into plowshares: Compare Joel 3:10, where nations are urged to beat their plowshares into swords.

The prophet warned of judgment and mocked human pride. All human systems (religious, economic, military, and social) will face God's examination and be found lacking on the Day of the Lord. This is the final day in history when God will judge the wicked once and for all (1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:7–15).

Sometimes, prophets used the phrase the day of the Lord (or others like it, such as that day) to describe specific times when God judged wickedness throughout history (see Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Obadiah 1:15). On the Day of the Lord, only God will be honored. All human wickedness and pride will be defeated. This glorious day of God's arrival will fill wicked and arrogant people with fear (Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21).

Isaiah condemned Israel and Judah for their pride and self-importance. He warned them that only God should be honored. All attempts by humans to lift themselves up will actually result in humiliation.

• Come … let us walk: Walking in God's light (his revelation) leads to a glorious role in his kingdom (see Isaiah 60:1; 1 John 1:7). God is the only light that defeats the darkness of sin and evil (Isaiah 9:2).

  People cannot create this light on their own (Isaiah 59:9). They must walk in the light God provides, trusting him and obeying his will (Isaiah 50:10).

• The phrase house of Jacob refers to Israel's special historic relationship with the Lord and their history of sin and rebellion (see Isaiah 14:1; 48:1).

• The Lord had rejected his people to discipline them (Isaiah 8:17). Although not permanent, this rejection seriously threatened their hopes for a glorious future.

• soothsayers: These were people who practiced pagan religion and magic. God had clearly forbidden this practice in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10–11).

• The Philistines were ancient enemies of Israel (Isaiah 9:12; 11:14; 14:29, 31).

Isaiah listed the things people used as substitutes for the true God. These included material wealth and security, such as silver and treasures. They also included military strength, such as warhorses and chariots. People also trusted in idols, which were objects they loved and valued.

This kind of wealth and military power marked the reign of King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:6–21). However, Isaiah showed that trusting these things was wrong.

In other places, Isaiah explained how foolish it is to worship something made by human hands (see Isaiah 44:9–20; 45:16).

• On the day of God’s judgment, people will try to hide in caves and among the rocks. These were natural hiding places in the rocky land of Judah. Instead of repenting with humility before the almighty God, they will try to escape his judgment.

  Kings and leaders, as well as slaves and free people, will all look for protection from this judgment(see also Revelation 6:15).

• The terror of the LORD rrefers to God’s full and powerful wrath against wickedness. This wrath will be revealed on the day of the Lord’s judgment. At this point, the prophecy moves from speaking mainly about Israel (Isaiah 2:5–6) to speaking about all humankind.

  The Lord opposes anything and anyone to speaking about all humankind (Isaiah 2:11–12, 22).

• A key theme in Isaiah is that the Lord will be exalted and humble people will be restored (Isaiah 57:15), while proud and powerful people are humbled (26:5).

• The day of judgment and the day of reckoning are also called the Day of the LORD. There are seven references to this in Isaiah 2–4 (2:11, 17, 20; 3:6, 18; 4:1, 2).

The prophet used several images of human strength to explain Isaiah 2:11–12.

• The cedars of Lebanon were valuable trees used to build Solomon’s Temple and palace (1 Kings 5:6) and other important buildings (Ezra 3:7). The cedars symbolized wealth and power (2 Chronicles 25:18; Psalms 92:12; 104:16), but these mighty trees were as nothing before the Lord (Isaiah 10:34; 33:9; see the boast of Sennacherib in 37:24).

• The oaks of Bashan were also an image of strength and splendor (Ezekiel 27:6). They, too, will disappoint (Isaiah 33:9; Nahum 1:4; Zechariah 11:2).

every stately vessel: This refers to large, decorated sea-going ships. These ships were a sign of wealth and economic success.

They showed that a nation was strong in trade and rich in resources.

that day: This refers to the Day of the LORD (see Isaiah 13:4–13).

Animals such as rodents and bats live in dark, underground places. They avoid the light and stay hidden.

In the same way, those who worship idols will try to hide from the Lord’s judgment. They will seek dark places instead of turning to God in repentance.

• The prophecy of judgment in Isaiah 2:6–21 between two related calls to action. First, the people are urged to trust the Lord (Isaiah 2:5). Then they are warned not to trust in human beings (Isaiah 2:22).

• Human strength does not last. It is weak and short-lived, like a person’s breath (see Psalm 90).