II. JERUSALEM OF "THE LAST DAYS" WILL BE UNLIKE THE PRESENT JERUSALEM (2:1-5:30)
A. The Mountain Of The Lord's House Shall Be Established "In The Last Days" (2:1-5) - The prophet now turns from the dark picture of the forsaken Zion, the unfaithful wife to a bright picture of Zion in the future. Here we have the "ideal Jerusalem."
(1) Instead of the "vision" of chapter 1, now Isaiah sees the "word." To see the word means to understand and comprehend its message and know by Whom it was sent.
(2) the latter days... generally refers to the furthermost point on the speaker's horizon. If we compare Isaiah's reference to Daniel's (Dan. 2:28), we can see that these days could very well be the days of the Roman Empire. Peter confirms that he was living in the last days as predicted by the prophets (Acts 2:17,18; 3:24; 1 Pet. 1:20). We too, are living in these last days that began on the day of Pentecost. To understand the mountain of Jehovah's house, see (Zech. 8:3). Physical Zion was the steep hill that southeastern Jerusalem encompassed, but the usual interpretation of "Zion" is the spiritual Zion to come. The word "mountain" represents a government or seat of power (Heb. 12:18-23, 28; 1 Tim. 3:15). The mountain then is the kingdom of the new covenant and all nations will flow unto it, this would include Gentile as well as Jew.
(3) As the people flow into the Jerusalem of the future, they will invite others to join them (Isa. 54:13; Jn. 6:44,45; Mt. 28:18-20). From this spiritual center of divine government the law and the word of God will go forth to all the world.
(4) God is the final judge in all matters. The NT clearly teaches that His Word will be the standard for His judgment. The citizens of spiritual Zion will be a peaceful people, while the world will remain at war (Zech 9:9,10; Mt. 21:5; Hos. 2:18). Jesus preached and lived this peace (Eph. 2:17). The weapons of the new Zion would be spiritual, not carnal (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-17).
(5) If the house of Jacob in Isaiah's time was to be in God's good graces, they needed to work towards the "ideal" as Isaiah had just described it.
B. The Present Wicked Attitudes And Idolatrous Ways Will Be Brought Down (2:6-4:1)
1. Wealth enticed them to trust in materialism and to worship the work of their own hands (2:6-11)
(6) God is rejecting Judah because they are filled with corruption. 1, they are filled with pagan customs from the east, seeming to enjoy the companionship of foreigners instead of their own divinely appointed isolation.
(7) 2, Their land is full of silver and gold. 3, It is full of horses and chariots, which had been forbidden by the law (Deut. 17:16). Their ability to rely on their own wealth had caused them to forget God.
(8) 4, Their land was full of idols. Each of these four points is a direct violation of the law.
(9) These consequences of their sins were so bad that the prophet could see no hope of their repentance.
(10) The prophet urges the people to go underground to try and avoid God's terrible presence and majesty.
(11) The people would be brought down because of their idolatry, pride, arrogance, wealth, and lack of godly thoughts. Is not this a lesson for today's godless materialistic world?
2. Pride deceived them into exalting vain things instead of the Lord (2:12-22)
(12) Only a judgment day of Jehovah can purge the people of their pride and arrogance. The wicked will be brought low and the righteous lifted up.
(13-16) The prophet lists four pairs of materialistic high things that will be brought low: 1, the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan; 2, the high mountains and the hills; 3, lofty towers and fortified walls; and 4, all the ships of Tarshish (Spain) and the artwork of foreign countries. Whether these things will be figuratively or literally brought low is subject to much debate among the commentators, perhaps it is a combination of both.
(17,18) Here Isaiah lists a fifth pair in need of humbling: man's lofty possessions and his haughtiness. The prophet once again invokes the "day of Jehovah," as the end of man's wickedness (idols).
(19) When this judgment comes man will seek out any hole in which to hide (Hos. 10:8; Lk. 23:30; Rev. 6:16,17). This shaking of the earth is probably not literal earthquakes, but the judgment is probably temporal in nature.
(20,21) When the judgment comes, the people will find their idols to be a hindrance to their escape, so they will cast them aside.
(22) Finally, the people must cease from putting their hopes in man and his handmade creations. Salvation can only be attained from a higher level (Jehovah). [TOP OF THIS CHAPTER]
3. Selfish interest led the rulers to pervert justice and to plunder the poor (3:1-15) Isaiah now proceeds to show the folly of relying on man and the total confusion that results. God holds the destiny man and nations in His hands.
(1) Jehovah, the God of Israel is the Supreme Commander of all forces used for His purposes, both heavenly and earthly. Isaiah now begins a list of 12 specific things on which the people depend that the Lord will take away. 1, He will take away their food and water.
(2,3) The Lord will remove certain classes of men: 2, their heroes, the mighty man; 3, their defensive forces, the man of war; 4, those that dispense so-called justice, the judge; 5, their false prophets supposedly representing Jehovah, the prophet; 6, their sorcerers, the diviner; 7, their city councilmen, the elder; 8, their various other military men, the captain of fifty; 9, those thought to have a worthy character, the honorable man; 10, those who provide wise guidance and advice, the counselor; 11, the skilled artisans, the artificer; 12, various other magicians, the skillful enchanter.
(4) The rulers of Judah will now be immature, irrational, and irresponsible.
(5) The people will be like the rulers, oppressing and dishonoring each other. Children will no longer honor their parents (Lev. 19:32).
(6) The time will come when no one will want to rule such a pitiful nation. A man might become the ruler because he is the only one that has a coat.
(7) But even this man will deny that he has the possessions or the power to heal the nation.
(8,9) The prophet declares that Jerusalem and Judah have stumbled both morally and spiritually, but still the final collapse is in the future. Their words and deeds are against Jehovah, they refuse to listen or to obey. The people are impudent , making no effort to hide their sins (as the Sodomites, Gen. 19), therefore woe unto their souls, their lives, their entire being.
(10,11) Throughout the Bible we find this principle: "as a man sows, so shall he reap." To reap the blessings of righteousness, a man must act righteously (Obad. 15; Gal. 6:7,8). Those that choose to live wickedly will also have their "reward."
(12) Inexperienced and immature rulers are being controlled by domineering women. These rulers will become the oppressors of the people. While Isaiah has political leaders in mind, false prophets can do the same type of damage (Micah 2:11). In our own country and even in the church we see the results of poor, godless leadership. However, as a people we are not excused because we have chosen to follow.
(13) Jehovah is prepared to judge His own nation.
(14) The ruling class, the princes and elders, will receive the brunt of this judgment, because they have "consumed" God's people (see ch. 5). They have robbed the poor through their own greed and lack of justice.
(15) The rulers are crushing and grinding the people, as if they were using a hammer and a millstone. Jehovah asks, "Do you really think you can get away with this?!" These evil rulers will answer directly to the Lord of Hosts.
4. Vanity of the flesh prompted women to adorn themselves immodestly (3:16-4:1)
(16,17) Now the prophet abruptly changes the aim of his prophecy from the rulers to the proud and haughty women of the city. Their pride and arrogance are a contributing factor to the impending destruction of Judah. These ungodly traits are seen in their posture and seductive looks. Their concern with their youthful appearance is seen in the way they walk. Because of their wanton behavior God would allow the enemies to take rough advantage of the very sexual features to which these women had attracted attention.
(18-23) When the Lord smites the haughty women their jewelry will become booty for their captors. The prophet lists 21 items that women of that day prized as personal possessions that would be lost. Neither this prophet nor Peter (1 Pet. 3:1-5) condemn women for adorning themselves. Yet, there are godly boundaries that must be met. These women had gone beyond propriety, modesty, and good taste. They were living the very lives that their dress signified: selfish, proud, sensuous, and lascivious. Their conduct and character was contrary to the holiness and righteousness of God their Father.Throughout the ages it has been inconsistent for God's women to pattern their dress and behavior after the world.
(24) The fortunes of the haughty women would be lost because of their character and conduct. Their idolatrous ways would bring this loss upon them. Rottenness, rope, baldness, sackcloth, and branding will replace spices, girdles, well set hair, robes, and the natural beauty of unmarked skin.
(25,26) The climatic picture of Judah's judgment is one of death and destruction. War will destroy the men and thus the city will be open to invasion and humiliation. Zion will receive the wages of her sins.
(1) (Verse 1 of chapter 4 continues the message of chapter 3.) The decimation of the men will cause women to be willing to share a man to keep from remaining in shame without children. Yet, they will only be substituting one shame for another. The women will be willing to assume the role and responsibility of a man just to possess his name.
C. The Future Of Zion Will Be Glorious (4:2-6) - Having described the ideal Jerusalem and the real Jerusalem, Isaiah turns to the redeemed Jerusalem. In this short section the prophet will emphasize the new Jerusalem-Zion made glorious by the presence of the Branch of Jehovah.
(2) The day referred to here is the day of the Messiah that will follow the judgment of Judah and the cleansing of Jerusalem-Zion. Our word "Branch" is a poor translation of the original Hebrew term which held in its meaning the idea of an abundant vitality and a fresh life. Jehovah had promised the serpent, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, that this "growing thing" would come. The Branch will possess true beauty and divine glory. Isaiah (11:1,10); Jeremiah (Jer. 23:5; 33:15); and Zechariah (Zech. 3:8; 6:12,13) will all develop this theme of the Messiah as the Branch. The fruit of the land referred to here is spiritual fruit.
(3) In the new Jerusalem holiness will outclass rank and the remnant will be by the election of grace (Rom. 11:5). The remnant will be set apart from those who are profane and their names will be in the book of Life.
(4) The finery of the haughty women is filth to the Lord, it will therefore be destroyed. The blood shed by the nobility will be purged from the streets of the new Jerusalem. Both of these abominations will be removed by the spirit of justice and by the spirit of burning (Ps. 97:2,3).
(5) As the Israelites were led from Egypt by cloud and fire, so will the remnant be led by a new cloud and a new fire (see Isa. 65:17,18; Ps. 102:18). In the new order spiritual Zion will not be contained by one hill, city, or nation. Wherever the inhabitants dwell the Lord will be with them there. The purpose of His presence will be to both direct and protect His people (Heb. 13:5,6; Phil. 4:5).
(6) The new Zion will provide shade from the heat and protection
from the storm for its inhabitants. Contrast this with the forsaken
hut of (1:8). Here God's children can be near Him. We are living
in these latter days. They have been in existence for the last
2000 years. The Branch has appeared, established His Kingdom,
and left it here to be sustained by a spiritual (rather than temporal)
sword. That sword is God's holy Word and that Kingdom is the church
which the Messiah purchased with His blood. [TOP
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