Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 2

THE DAY OF THE LORD - AN INITIAL VISION OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM, (2:1-5:30)

THE NATURE OF THE COMING KINGDOM, (Verse 1-4)

1. Like the opening verse of chapter 1, the prophet directs these words to a specific people who had so departed from the way of the Lord as to be in danger of forfeiting many blessings which they had come to consider irrevocably theirs.

2. "The last days" is an expression that the Jews applied to the close of the age - just prior to the coming of the Messiah to inaugurate a new age, and establish His own glorious rule over the whole earth.

3. A "mountain", in biblical symbolism, denotes governmental authority - in this instance, a kingdom. The establishment here foreseen is that of a literal, visible Messianic kingdom of righteousness - in power and great glory - with Jerusalem as its Capital, (Verse 2-3; Isaiah 1:25-26; Isaiah 58:12-14; Jeremiah 23:5-8; Jeremiah 33:7), and Jesus Christ as its divine king.

4. "The LORD’S house" refers to His covenant-community (the nation of Israel as set in a relationship of covenant fellowship with Himself on Mt Sinai) - a peculiar people who are very dear to Him.

a. Though called to such a position of opportunity and blessing, Israel, through rebellion and the disobedience of unbelief, has forfeited it all. (Nevertheless, God remains faithful to the faith of individual Israelites whose hearts have remained true to Him.)

b. In the New Testament church our Lord raised up a new house, with whom He established His New Covenant, and is now preparing to share the fullness of blessing and authority in His coming reign of righteousness, (1 Timothy 3:15; Mark 13:34; Hebrews 3:1-6; Hebrews 3:12-14; Ephesians 2:19-22; etc.).

5. Exalted above all other people, this covenant-community will be highly honored in the coming age - all others bowing before them (in service), and the wealth of the Gentiles flowing into them, (1 Peter 2:9-10; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; Romans 8:17-18; etc.).

6. In the coming millennial era, the Lord will again dwell among His people - reigning from Mt Zion, in Jerusalem.

a. Many will then seek instruction in His ways - that they may walk therein.

b. The authoritative "law of the LORD" will, in that day, go forth from Jerusalem, and the Lord Jesus will reign supremely.

c. With justice and equity He will rule over all nations with a rod of iron, (Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15; cf. Psalms 2:9).

d. Since warfare will cease, the costly armaments of destruction may be converted into instruments of productivity for the common good.

JUDGMENTS REQUIRED BY A RULE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, (2:5)

1. This is a transitional verse - calling one’s attention away from the glorious millennial rule of Jehovah, to focus on the state of Judah which had turned away from the Lord.

2. Flickering sparks of human wisdom are not sufficient to illumine one’s path through a world of sin, darkness, doubt and fear, (Jeremiah 10:23).

3. To walk with the Lord is to "walk in the light" - for He is "the Light of the world", (1 John 1:5-7; John 8:12).

4. And the light of His Word so illuminates the future that one may face it with confidence, assurance, and the expectancy of hope, (Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130).

1. Here are four basic reasons the Lord has rejected this people.

a. Their slavish dependence upon the heathen practices of Assyria and Babylon, and upon the soothsayers of the Philistines, (Verse 6a).

b. Their joining hands and associating in the activities of foreigners, when they were supposed to be a separated people, (Verse 6b).

c. Their trust in material assets (gold, silver, horses and chariots) rather than leaning on the true and living God, (Verse 7).

d. Their worship of idols which their own hands have made, (Verse 8-9).

1) It has been the boast of the Jews, since- the destruction of Jerusalem, that they have been free from idolatry; but, they do not see as God does - Who looks upon their hearts.

2) Isaiah chapter 2 indicates that they will be shamefully ensnared by their idols, at the very time of our Lord’s coming in judgment, (Verse 20; comp. Psalms 97:7; Psalms 96:5; Habakkuk 2:18; Zechariah 10:2; John 5:43; Revelation 9:20).

2. Not only have they lowered themselves in the eyes of the heathen (who once feared them because of God’s presence among them, (Exodus 15:11-18); they have also dishonored the name of their covenant-God!

3. Therefore, instead of forgiveness, they may expect judgment! (Verse 10-11).

a. Try as they may to escape the judgment, due their sin, there will be no possible way, (Numbers 32:23).

b. In the penetrating brilliance of divine holiness and power, nothing will escape the scrutiny of the judge of the whole earth, (Hebrews 4:12-13; Psalms 139:1-12).

c. The pride of man will ultimately be humbled, (Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18; 1 John 2:16-17); the Lord alone will be exalted in the day of His power.

Verse 12-21: SINNERS, AND THE DAY OF THE LORD

1. The day of judgment will come - not only upon Judah and Jerusalem, but also upon all men and things, (Acts 17:31).

2. The delightful things, wherein men have placed their trust, will be revealed as worthless.

3. With loathing and disgust, the idols men have made as objects of worship will be cast "to the moles and bats" - as worse than worthless!

4. Three times the prophet declares that the pride and haughtiness of man will be utterly broken.

5. Three times mention is made of man’s attempt to hide, or take refuge, in "the holes of the rocks", "the caves of the earth", or "the tops of the ragged rocks" - "for fear of the LORD", Who is coming to judge the earth in righteousness, (comp. Isaiah 24:20-23; Joel 2:1-3; Joel 2:10-11; Zephaniah 3:8; Luke 21:25-27; Daniel 7:9-13; Revelation 19:15-17).

Then the prophet gives some sound advice for men of ALL AGES!

Verse 22

1. It is vain to place one’s dependence on a man - who may stop breathing at any moment! (Psalms 146:3-10; Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalms 144:3-4; James 4:14). ,

2. Of what real value is such a support - as compared with Him who is the Maker and Sustainer of heaven, earth, and all things therein? ,

3. All who are truly wise will trust in THE LORD - in whom is EVERLASTING STRENGTH!