The Promise of Restoration (Isaiah 2:1-5)
The Time Frame. The Hebrew phrase the days signifies human history. For Isaiah’s audience, then, restoration within “the latter days” refers to an unspecified future time. According to the New Testament, the last days began when Jesus was born and will extend until the time of His return. The New Testament letter to the Hebrews begins, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (1:1-2).
The Place. Peace will be restored in Zion, or Jerusalem. It is also identified as “the mountain of the Lord,” “the house of the God of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:3), and “the city of David” (1 Kings 8:1) because King David conquered and established it as the capital city. God manifested His glory in the Jerusalem temple when David’s son King Solomon dedicated it.
One interpretation of Zion and Jerusalem sees them as literal geographic places where God will fulfill His promises. People who hold this perspective see the Messiah as coming to establish His righteous rule physically from Jerusalem. Another view sees Zion and Jerusalem as metaphors for the kingdom of God. In Christ, this view suggests, Jews and Gentiles alike are brought into God’s family, and thus, His promises to Zion and Jerusalem apply spiritually to both.
Either way, Judah’s faith and hope are in the presence, power, and glory of God once more emanating from Zion. Jerusalem will be the center of the restored kingdom. People from all nations will come to the “God of Jacob” to learn how to “walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3). Justice and righteousness will be established. The Lord will fulfill His role as “Prince of Peace” (9:6).
With war abolished, swords and spears will be replaced with tools that produce food. Nations no longer will need armies to “learn war” (2:4). Jerusalem will be called “the city of righteousness, the faithful city” (1:26). In view of these expectations, Isaiah tenderly appealed to the people: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (2:5).
The Way of the Lord (Isaiah 2:6-22) The people in Isaiah’s nation were not walking in the Lord’s ways. Intimate association with pagan neighbors endangered their relationship with God. Moses warned them against closely associating with idolatrous people and advised them to love and serve God wholeheartedly and exclusively. Like the surrounding nations, the people of Judah accumulated silver and gold, and horses and chariots—status symbols they had been warned about. God’s people were placing their confidence in false gods instead of trusting and worshiping God, who had delivered the nation from Egyptian bondage.
Think about why God rebuked the people for associating with pagans. Abraham’s descendants were to be a positive influence on the world (see Genesis 12:3). But instead, the people of Judah allowed others to influence them. As God’s representatives, we face the same challenge today. We are called to spread His good news and way of life to those around us, but we also need to avoid adopting the world’s values. To “walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5) is to walk a narrow road between being in the world and yet not being of it (see John 17:14-16).
The time indicated for humbling those who would ignore God is identified as “that day” (Isaiah 2:11, 17). Generally, this is designated as “the day of the Lord,” a time of judgment when Israel (see Amos 5:18) and other nations would be judged. On that day, the presence of the Lord Almighty will be earth-shaking, literally. The arrogant and the proud will try to hide in the “caves of the rocks” and “holes of the ground” (Isaiah 2:19). God will be exalted, and all nations will be humbled. Those who do not revere God will dread His presence, vainly seeking to escape Him.
God’s conclusion was simple and direct: “Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath” and the idols made by human hands. God gave us breath to make us living creatures. He keeps us alive only as He supplies our very breath and life. The only sure way to do this is to “live by” and “keep in step with” the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
Judgment for Jerusalem and Judah (Isaiah 3:1–4:1) Those in places of responsibility were oppressing the people they were leading. But those leaders would be held accountable and judged. God also indicted the “daughters of Zion.” Vain and self-centered, they flirted and displayed their fine clothing and jewelry. Their basic problem was pride. God would “take away the finery” they were glorying in, replacing their fine clothes and beauty with loathsomeness that pictures their captivity: stench, sores, rough clothing, and branding as slaves.
On the other hand, God gives assurance and hope to those who revere Him. The Sovereign Lord, who withdrew His providential care from Jerusalem, assured the righteous that “it shall be well with them.” Ultimately, “they shall eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10)—deeds reflecting their sensitivity to God.
Think about God’s displeasure with the Israelites’ shallow affections. The book of Isaiah lists the elaborate “finery” of Jerusalem’s women (3:18-23): ankle bracelets, pendants, festal robes, and so on. The evil was not the adornments themselves but the hearts behind them—the seductive way the women walked “with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go.” In contrast, Christ followers are to call attention to God’s character, love, and eternal values.
Survivors in Zion (Isaiah 4:2-6) Isaiah focused on the remnant of God’s chosen people who ultimately would reside in Zion when the “branch of the Lord” would reign on earth. They would be holy because their righteousness would be credited to them from the righteousness of Christ, whose name is “The Lord is our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6).
God wanted His people to know that judgment was coming if they refused to change. But, if they repented and turned to Him, He would delay judgment. Further, the repentant could have hope of restoration after judgment fell on those who ignored God. As is true for all people in any generation, they had to come to Him with open hands and humble hearts. God would shelter and care for them on His terms, not theirs.
Personalize this lesson. The repeated warnings of judgment and the lists of sins seem heavy. We don’t like to hear about God’s anger. Last week, we talked about how our perceptions of God can color how we read prophetic books and cause us to struggle with God. One way we can “walk in the light” (Isaiah 2:5) is to bring these struggles and doubts to the surface. If portions of Isaiah are difficult for you, share this with a trusted, accepting, and mature Christian friend or mentor. Ask this person to pray with you as you both ask God to show you the truth about Him and to help you grapple with your questions about Him. If you sense this need, whom might you be able to talk with? Ask God to give you courage to bring these hidden thoughts into the light.
Review: God’s Long-Range Plan
What did you learn from this lesson about what is important to God?
Lesson 3
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Day 5