The second message (Isa. 2-5) begins with one
of the more well-known Messianic prophecies.
Isa. 2:2-4 promises something that takes place in the latter days, a time that refers to the days leading up to
Messiah’s return. Zion, the seat of
Messiah’s government, will be the source of the teaching of God’s law to the
nations. Messiah will judge the nations resulting
in a time of peace, something the nations have longed for since Cain murdered
his brother.
This prophecy is duplicated in Micah 4:1-4
(with an additional statement about life in the Messianic kingdom). We cannot be sure if one prophet quoted the
other or if both received the same word from the Lord. But we can say that this speaks of a
wonderful time for Israel when the Davidic King rules from Zion and worship is
centered in the Millennial Temple. Ch. 4
gives another Messianic prediction, speaking of the Messiah as the beautiful branch of the LORD.
However the glorious pictures of that day are only an encouragement to
Judah and Jerusalem who, in Isaiah’s time, were anything but glorious. Isaiah, in deep humility, pleads: O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in
the light of the Lord.
What is so wrong that he pleads in this
way? Verses 6-9 paint a picture that sounds
just like the Biblical record of life in the reigns of Uzziah and Jotham. The people had adopted the superstition and
idolatry of the east. Times were
prosperous and militarily (horses and
chariots) they felt secure. But for
all these good things the people bowed in thanksgiving before false gods.
Thus Isaiah warns of the terror of the LORD (2:10-11).
The prophet didn’t need any special word from God to say this. It was to be expected given what he knows to
be true about God, as he says twice (2:11,17): And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. This is the way it must be. So if Judah is not glorifying the true God
then they must expect that, no matter how good the times are, the time is
coming soon when God will shake the earth mightily (2:19-22).
Given the emphasis in the beginning of the
message on the glorious reign of the Messiah, as well as the fact that the
people are not exalting the LORD, it makes perfect sense that one aspect of
coming judgment is that God will take away Judah’s strong leadership. Look again at 3:2-3 and see all the
significant people who will be taken away at this time; and then at 3:4-9 to
see that children will replace them.
People of quality will turn down the chance to lead. True to the Lord who knows men’s hearts: it
will go well with the righteous but the wicked will suffer, each receiving the
fruit of his actions.
Have you heard this saying: if the Lord doesn’t judge the United States
for her iniquity He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah? That’s something to consider in our own
lives. The Lord ALONE must be exalted in
and through us. If this is not the case
then we have ceased to live a sensible life.
Rom. 12:1 says this: our bodies a living sacrifice for Christ is the
only reasonable worship!
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