isaiah 2:1-22
Read Isaiah 2:1-22, Matthew 5:3, Philippians 3:1-21
This passage is the first half of a section in Isaiah that reveals the failures and rebellion of Judah, as well as Zion that is to come. Visually it can be divided up into a story arc like this:
Isaiah 2:1-4
Zion is meant to be the house of the Lord exalted high on a mountain. It will not be a temporary temple or a church building like what man has made on the earth, but a house where God will dwell. A stream of people will be drawn to Him and this stream will flow up the mountain. Note, streams never flow up a mountain, therefore, this illustration reveals the miraculous and saving work of the Lord drawing people to Himself. There will be unity and oneness among His people and they will desire to learn the ways of God and walk in His paths. Peace will perfectly exist and silence any need/desire for war and anger. I love that the weapons used for war will be crafted into tools for harvest, for we will exist in perfect harmony. “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (2:4). These are the eternal days to come with our Messiah. As we live in between His first and second coming and hope beyond hope for what is to come, let us pray that we are found faithful and obedient to the way of Christ. This Zion is coming.
Moral Failure, Volume 1: Isaiah 2:5-22
The house of Jacob thought they had everything they needed, for their land was full to the brim of treasures, horses, chariots, etc. Rather than being influenced by Zion, they looked to the world for how they should live. They placed their trust in the amount of horses and chariots they had, and their worship belonged to pagan ways and rituals. Their values, trust, and worship–all created to be placed in their Maker–went elsewhere, making them look exactly like the nations around them.
Verses 11 and 17, which echo one another, show us the heart issue of Israel: “The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of man shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (2:11). Pride. My husband and I often talk about how every sin and struggle point back to pride. These verses are a wake-up call to the prideful heart for all of us, not just Israel. The Lord had set aside a day to judge His anointed people for their pride, a day where they would have to be humbled. Nothing would save them. Not the creation they worshiped, not fancy ships, not walls, not idols… The Lord had–and has– a day against all proud and lofty things (2:12). This section finishes with the same verse that it started with to emphasize the seriousness of pride. We must humble ourselves. While studying this I was reminded of Christ’s example as He took on our flesh. While preaching on the mount He exhorted His listeners with this: “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven…” This call and rejection of self has not ceased to exist through the years.
Trusting in earthly things and exalting self will never get us where we ultimately desire to go and will never protect us. Philippians 3:1-21 documents Paul’s exhortation specifically to the Philippian church, yet the theme aligns so perfectly with this passage in Isaiah. A life set apart for the coming Kingdom looks different. We are called to look forward to what is ahead and cast aside the weights and sins that hold us back from total surrender to the Lord. The things of the earth, like exalting self or relying on governments/military powers as Israel did, are fading and lead to destruction. But the one who looks ahead at what is to come and humbles themselves will be richly rewarded with the everlasting presence of Jesus. Remember, believer, where your true citizenship lies (Phil. 3:20).
JOURNALING QUESTIONS:
Did anything stand out to you in this reading?
What do you learn about God’s character by reading this passage?
Is there any imagery from verses 1-4 that excite you about the coming Kingdom? (I love that the swords are beat into plowshares (v4), a symbol that there will be no war in the midst of the perfect harmony to come!)
It’s no secret that verses 5-22 are a little intense, but think of a story arc and how the middle can contain some of the most intense parts–and like any good story, redemption is coming. After reading about this section above, what are your thoughts on this passage?
