Read Isaiah 2:1-21.

Introduction⤒🔗

At the end of a radio commercial for a motel chain, a voice reassuringly says, “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

Perhaps you can remember your mother saying the same thing, “I’ll be sure to leave the light on for you.” Maybe you were out late with friends, or you were working the late shift at the factory, or you were coming home late from a night class. No matter what time of night it was, you could always be sure to find the porch light burning brightly. Its warm and soft beams conveyed the message: This is where you belong; this is where someone loves you and is waiting for you; this is home. That porch light was a welcome sight, and you always looked forward to coming home to it and to the love and fellowship it represented.

Would you ever think of leaving that love and fellowship? Would you ever think of turning your back on that light in order to wander away into the darkness? Such a thought is inconceivable. But that is exactly what the people of Israel were doing in the days of Isaiah.

This passage of Scripture alerts us to the sad fact that those who possess the great religious privilege of knowing the LORD and having access to His presence, are prone to neglect that privilege and depart from Him. Rather than neglecting that great spiritual privilege, let us be careful to “walk in the light of the LORD.”

Walk in the Light of the LORD, as Do the Newly Converted←⤒🔗

In verse two the LORD gives Isaiah a revelation of what will take place in the future, “in the last days.” According to the New Testament, “the last days,” (or, “the latter days”), began with the birth of Christ and culminate with His Return in glory; note Hebrews 1:1-2, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 'but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

In the last days “all nations shall flow to [the mountain of the LORD’s temple].” The Gentile nations, like a mighty river, are pictured as miraculously flowing upward to the mountain of God. Here is a picture of God’s miraculous work of bringing the Gentile nations to faith in Christ and into the kingdom of God, which is especially the work of the Holy Spirit in this present New Testament era. (Note: For a more extensive exposition of Isaiah 2:1-4, the reader is referred to the Appendix found at the conclusion of this study.)

In verse three we are transported from the time of the prophet Isaiah into the future to see and hear this miraculous work of God as it takes place among the Gentile nations. “Come, let us go up to...the house of the God of Jacob;” here is the desire to come to the LORD, and to have others join with them in coming. Do we find in our heart that same desire to worship the LORD, to come into His presence, and to meet in fellowship with His people? Do we understand the difference between entertainment, (passively allowing your emotions to be stimulated), and worship, (actively engaging your spirit with God)? Do we have the desire to see others come to Christ? Can we identify with the words of the hymn writer: “We long to see Your churches full, so that all the chosen race may, with one voice and heart and soul, sing Your redeeming grace”?

Then we hear the nations go on to say, “He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” Here is the desire to know the LORD, and the commitment to walk with Him in fellowship and obedience.

In verse five, as he witnesses this future scene of the Gentile nations coming to the LORD, Isaiah calls upon his own people, Israel, “Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!” Isaiah is calling upon his own people to imitate these new converts in their zeal to know God and serve Him! It is ironic that the people of God must be admonished to imitate the godly example of the heathen converts; and, as we shall see, be exhorted to stop imitating the ungodly example of their pagan neighbors (vs. 6b-8).

Let us walk in the light of the LORD, as do the newly converted. Note Acts 13:46,48a, 52, a passage that describes the response of the Gentiles to the good news of the gospel: “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said...‘we now turn to the Gentiles’ ... ⁴⁸When the Gentiles heard this they were glad, and honored the word of God... ⁵2 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Contrast the above passage with the words of our Lord addressed to the church in Ephesus: “I have this against you: You have left your first love. ⁵Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent” (Rev. 2:4-5).

Walk in the Light of the LORD, rather than in the Ways of the World←⤒🔗

In verse 6a Israel is described as being filled with “the customs of the east.” This is a reference to the pagan customs and practices imported from the East; the very place Abraham had been called to forsake in order to follow the LORD into the Promised Land of Canaan. The succeeding verses further describe the conduct, outlook and lifestyle of Judah.

They “practice divination like the Philistines.” Israel had come to look to soothsayers for guidance instead of looking to the LORD their God and His Word. Note Isaiah 8:19, where the LORD will instruct Isaiah how to respond to such people: “When men ask you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, ask them, ‘Should not a people consult their God?’” Present day T.V. commercials urge viewers to consult a psychic to gain knowledge of the future for personal gain. As Christians, we are to consult the Word of God to gain knowledge of His will for His glory and our good.

“They clasp hands with the children of foreigners, [making covenants with them].” They were forming binding relationships and covenants with those who were strangers to the LORD and His covenant. By way of example, consider what the LORD says concerning the Christian’s choice of a marriage partner,

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial [i.e. the devil]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 2 Cor. 6:14-15

“Their land is full of silver and gold, there is no end to their treasures.” At this particular time in its history, Israel was a nation that was experiencing a superabundance of prosperity, and that prosperity was turning them into materialists and was suffocating their spiritual life. In the days of Uzziah and his son, Jotham, the nation of Judah experienced a period of great power and glory and prosperity. It was the Silver Age of Judah; although it could not attain unto the Golden Age under Solomon, the reign of Uzziah and Jotham certainly rivaled those days of splendor. But the outward splendor and prosperity was itself rivaled by spiritual degeneration and decay; the worship of the LORD was reduced to merely an outward formality.

“Their land also is full of [war] horses, neither is there any numbering of their chariots.” Judah had come to place their confidence in military might; what is described here is the ancient version of a vast buildup of armaments. Like Old Testament Judah, do we place our confidence for security in the nation’s military technology? Do we believe that our armaments and/or geographic position make us invulnerable to enemy attack? And with that sense of security, do you concentrate on the present pursuit of wealth and recreation, and entertain the confidence that the present state of affairs shall continue indefinitely into the future?

“Their land is full of idols.” Israel had failed to destroy the idols of the pagan nations who possessed the land before them, as they had been commanded to do:

Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. ¹³Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. ¹⁴Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Ex. 34:12-14

Rather than obey the LORD’ s command, Israel embraced the pagan religion of their neighbors. Consider the present spiritual state of our own society. Many today are being lured into the ancient pagan mysticism of New Age religion, and it is becoming the publicly dominant religion of the day. There is also present a much more subtle “Christianized” idolatry, one that accepts a caricature of God as man’s divine servant, in place of the living God of the Scriptures. As one Christian writer expresses it:

I find myself thinking that every aspect of life should be as easy as using an automatic teller machine. When it isn’t, I can easily become frustrated. In addition, there is the subtle assumption that God is somehow committed to making my life convenient, pleasant, and protected.¹

Let us walk in the light of the LORD, rather than in the ways of the world. As one commentator stated it: “To walk [in the light of the LORD] is to order the course of one’s entire life so that it will be in conformity with that light [of God’s revelation].”² Let us make the Psalmist’s testimony our own: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and alight on my path” (Psl. 119:105).

Walk in the Light of the LORD, because there is Coming a Day of Accountability←⤒🔗

Verse twelve foretells the coming Day of the LORD of hosts, a day of reckoning and a day of accountability. It is emphasized that on that Day the LORD of hosts will especially set Himself against the pride and arrogance of man:

The LORD of hosts has a day in store for all that is proud and arrogant, for all that is exalted­ and they will be humbled. vs. 12

The arrogance of man shall be brought low, and the pride of man shall be humbled; and the LORD alone shall be exalted on that day. vs. 17

Verses 13-16 describe that Day as a great storm—like a universal tornado or hurricane—that will sweep away everything that stands upon the earth. Like a terrible storm, the Day of the LORD of hosts shall come upon “all the cedars of Lebanon that are tall and lofty,” trees that were admired for their beauty and refreshing scent. It will come upon “all the oaks of Bashan,” trees that were looked upon as being strong and impervious to any ordinary storm of nature.

It will come upon “all the towering mountains,” the majestic, snow-capped peaks mentioned here are perhaps also representative of man’s own personal aspirations. It will come upon “all the high hills,” the hills rising up from the plains, the foothills of the majestic mountains.

It will come upon “every lofty tower, and every fortified wall.” The imagery now switches to that which man builds to warn him of the approaching enemy and to defend him from that enemy, all this shall be utterly useless to defend him against his God on that day of judgment. The great storm of God’s Final Judgment shall come upon “all the merchant ships that sail to Tarshish,” ships that carried the imported goods that enabled the people to experience “the good life.” The storm of God’s coming judgment will capsize man’s great economic enterprise and end all his endeavors to enjoy a materialistic, godless paradise on earth.

The next verses proceed to describe the judgment upon man’s idolatry and its worthlessness to save him on the day when the LORD appears in His majesty: “the idols will totally disappear” (vs. 18). On that day, men “will flee to the caves in the rocks and to the holes in the ground from the terror of the LORD and from the glory of his majesty.” (vs. 19) “Men will throw away to the rodents and to the bats their idols of silver and their idols of gold they made to worship.” (vs. 20)

Note how verses 11 and 17 reiterate the main themes of this peon of praise to the LORD as it describes the results of His appearing in glory and majesty:

The arrogant looks of man will be brought low, and the lofty pride of men will be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted on that day. (vs. 11)

The arrogance of man shall be brought low, and the pride of man shall be humbled; and the LORD alone shall be exalted on that day. (vs. 17)

Let us walk in the light of the LORD, because there is coming a day of accountability in which the LORD shall reveal Himself as God over all.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

The LORD has graciously made available to us His light and life, and with all His heart He desires for us to walk with Him in holy and loving fellowship. The LORD has graciously made available to us all the spiritual resources of His grace and His Holy Spirit to enable us and assist us in walking in His light.

Instead of neglecting—to the eternal peril of our own souls—the great spiritual privileges of knowing the LORD and living in His light and fellowship, let us be sure to heed the exhortation of Scripture: “Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!”

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. Describe the vision the LORD gave to Isaiah. See, esp., Isa. 2:2-3. When will this occur? Cp. Isa. 2:2a with Heb. 1:1-2a and 1 Pet. 1:20. What will cause the Gentile peoples to come to the LORD? See Isa. 2:3b. If you are a Gentile Christian, do you appreciate the blessing you have as a believer in Jesus the Messiah? Note 1 Pet. 2:10,

This is what Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 'In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it. ³Many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths—for the law will go out from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isa. 2:2-3

The “law,” or “the teaching,” is a reference to the preaching of the gospel, especially as it was proclaimed at Pentecost.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 'but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Heb. 1:1-2

[Christ] was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Pet. 1:20

Formerly, you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; [formerly] you were those who did not receive mercy, but now you are those who have received mercy. 1 Pet. 2:10

2. What scene is described in Isaiah 2:4? In light of Isaiah 1:27-28, can this be foretelling a future state of universal world peace on earth as taught by “liberal theology”? Note, also, Matt. 10:34. Bearing in mind the symbolic nature of O.T. prophetic visions, how should we interpret this scene in light of N.T. revelation? Note Eph. 2:14-18. Who will experience this peace? See Isa. 32:18 and Rom. 8:1, but also note Isa. 57:21. When shall the redeemed, both Jewish and Gentile believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, experience the ultimate fulfillment of this prophetic vision? See Rev. 11:15b,

⁴He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes among many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more. ⁵O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. (Isa. 2:4)

Zion will be redeemed by judgment, and those within her who repent will be redeemed by righteousness. ²⁸But the transgressors and sinners will both be destroyed together, and those who forsake the LORD will be consumed. Isa. 1:27-28

The Lord Jesus declares, Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace… Matt. 10:34

[Christ] is our peace, he is the one who made the two [i.e. believing Jew and believing Gentile] become one and who destroyed the dividing wall that served as a barrier. With his flesh he destroyed the source of enmity ¹⁵by abolishing the law [that consisted] of commandments in [the form of] regulations. [He did so] in order that in himself he might create the two into one new man, thereby making peace; ¹⁶and that he might reconcile the two—in one body—unto God by the cross, having put the enmity to death by it. ¹⁷When he came, he preached [the message of] peace to you who were far away [i.e. the Gentiles] and peace to those who were near [i.e. the Jews], ¹⁸for through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Eph. 2:14-18

My people will reside in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, and in undisturbed places of rest. Isa. 32:18

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... Rom. 8:1a

There is no peace, declares my God, for the wicked. Isa. 57:21

The seventh angel sounded [his trumpet], and there were loud voices in heaven, which said, 'The kingdom of the world has become [the kingdom] of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.' Rev. 11:15

The seventh angel sounding his trumpet shall occur at the end of human history, announcing that the kingdom of God has come to supplant the kingdoms of this present world.

3. In Isaiah’s vision, what do the converted Gentiles testify? See Isa. 2:3. What does Isaiah call upon the LORD’s O.T. covenant people (“the house of Jacob”) to do? See Isa. 2:5. What does this say about the spiritual state of the covenant people if they must be exhorted to show the same zeal for the LORD as the newly converted? Must our Lord Jesus say to you what He had to say to the Ephesian church? See Rev. 2:4-5,

Many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths—for the law will go out from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isa. 2:3

Again, “the law,” or, “the teaching,” going out from Zion is a reference to the preaching of the gospel at Pentecost and beyond.

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isa. 2:5

...I have this against you: You have left your first love. ⁵Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the works [you did] at the beginning; or else I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place, if you do not repent. Rev. 2:4-5

4. How does Isaiah describe the present state of the relationship between the LORD and His covenant people? See Isa. 2:6a. What have the people done to cause this alienation from the LORD their God? See Isa. 2:6b-8. To what extent must the LORD make the same judgment with regard to the church in the Western world today? To what extent is this description of the people of Israel in Isaiah’s day true of your own life?

You have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of the customs of the East and practice divination like the Philistines. They clasp hands with the children of foreigners, [making covenants with them]. ⁷Their land is full of silver and gold, there is no end to their treasures. Their land also is full of [war] horses, neither is there any numbering of their chariots. ⁸And their land is full of idols. They bow down to the work of their own hands, [they bow down] to what their fingers have made. Isa. 2:6-8

5. Isaiah’s call to covenantal faithfulness is issued in light of the judgment to come (cf. Isa. 2:10-21); what is especially emphasized about that coming day? See Isa. 2:11-12, 17. In light of that great and inescapable day, what counsel does Scripture give us? See 1 Pet. 5:5b-6a,

The arrogant looks of man will be brought low, and the lofty pride of men will be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted on that day. ¹²The LORD of hosts has a day in store for all that is proud and arrogant, for all that is exalted—and they will be humbled...¹⁷The arrogance of man shall be brought low, and the pride of man shall be humbled; and the LORD alone shall be exalted on that day... Isa. 2:11-12, 17

^5b...God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ^6aTherefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the appointed time... 1 Pet. 5:5b-6a

Appendix: An Exposition of Isaiah 2:1-4←⤒🔗

“This is what Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem” (vs. 1). Isaiah will now make known the vision from God concerning the future of Zion; the glorious work that God will do for Judah and through Judah. Note: In the midst of discipline and chastening (1:2-9) and impending judgment upon the nation (1:20,24-ff.), there is a word of hope for the people of God.

The time of the fulfillment of this vision is designated as “the last days” (vs. 2). According to the New Testament, “the last days,” (or, “the latter days”), began with the birth of Christ and will reach their climax with His return in glory:

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Heb. 1:1-2

[Christ] was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Pet. 1:20

Thus, the attention of God’s people is focused on the future, and this same perspective is continued in the New Testament, note Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” What will God do for Judah in the last days?

According to verses 2b, “the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains.” The kingdom of God shall be revealed to be permanent, durable, unshakable, and everlasting—it will be “established as chief among the mountains.” Concerning the kingdom of God, it is said of Abraham that he was looking forward to the city “with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). Furthermore, the LORD’s temple “shall be exalted above the hills.” The kingdom of God shall have the pre-eminence: Christ has already been exalted to that position at the right hand of God, and at His coming God’s kingdom shall be revealed in all of its pre-eminent glory.

The text goes on to declare, “all nations shall flow to it.” The picture presented here is that of the Gentile nations, like a mighty river, flowing up to the mountain of God. In light of New Testament revelation, the picture poetically portrays the miraculous work of God in bringing the Gentiles to saving faith in Jesus the Messiah. Note Revelation 5:9-10,

...they sing a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break the seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. ¹⁰You have made them into a kingdom and priests for our God, and they shall reign over the earth.'

We are now transported into the future to see and hear the miraculous work of God among the nations (vs. 3a): “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.’” Here is the desire to come to the LORD, and a desire to have others join with them. There is, furthermore, a desire for instruction, and the desire to know God, and a desire to walk with Him in obedience and fellowship: “he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”

What is the cause of this great “migration” of the nations unto the LORD? From verse 3b we learn that “the law (or, “the instruction,” תּוֹהָ ר ) will go out from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Here is a reference to the going forth of the gospel following Pentecost. Following His resurrection, the Lord Jesus declared to His disciples, “This is what is written, ‘The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’” (Lk. 24:46-47)

In verse four there is depicted the LORD’s peaceful rule over the nations: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes among many peoples;” the LORD is the Great King before whom the peoples come for arbitration and the settling of their disputes. “They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;” warfare will give way to peaceful co-existence among neighbors, each tending his own plot of land. “Nation shall not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

In light of Isaiah 2:12-21, which speaks of the final judgment of God, and many other such passages in both the Old and the New Testaments, this present verse cannot be taken as a reference to a coming day of universal world peace. It is, rather, a poetic, pictorial description—using imagery familiar to the people of the Old Testament era—of the peace and unity that is found within the body of Christ and that shall be fully realized in the kingdom of God as the redeemed of every nation live together in the peace and blessing of God. Note Ephesians 2:14-18,

[Christ] is our peace, he is the one who made the two [i.e. believing Jew and believing Gentile] become one and who destroyed the dividing wall that served as a barrier. With his flesh he destroyed the source of enmity ¹⁵by abolishing the law [that consisted] of commandments in [the form of] regulations. [He did so] in order that in himself he might create the two into one new man, thereby making peace; ¹⁶and that he might reconcile the two—in one body—unto God by the cross, having put the enmity to death by it. ¹⁷When he came, he preached [the message of] peace to you who were far away [i.e. the Gentiles] and peace to those who were near [i.e. the Jews], ¹⁸for through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.