Isaiah’s Remit: Isaiah 1-6 (2)

Pray Psalm 96.1-3.
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

Read Isaiah 2.1-4, 16-20.

Reflect.
1. Chapter 2 expands on the message of chapter 1, looking far ahead and near at hand. What does God promise “in the latter days”?

2. In the near term, God will judge His people because they have become compromised with the surrounding nations. In what ways?

Meditate.
Isaiah 2.1-4 is a message of extreme importance. Isaiah’s contemporary, Micah, repeated this message almost verbatim in Micah 4.1-5. This is a promise for “the latter (or last) days.” These days, we know, began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (cf. Acts 2.14-18). While the Lord’s temple will shortly be destroyed, in the last days His house will command the attention and obedience of the nations, who will see in the people of this household such a compelling way of life, that they want to have it for themselves.

That is for then – our now. God will repeatedly return to this promise of restoration, to give His people pegs on which to hang their hope. For terrible judgment is about to ensue. The nation of Israel is God’s shot across the bow for Judah, as they are destroyed and carried away captive to Israel. But the people of Judah and Jerusalem are so compromised and content with their situation, that they don’t take prophets like Isaiah seriously.

But the prophet declares his message whether or not anyone hears. And the message is dire. Israel has forsaken God, so God has forsaken them (v. 6). They have incorporated the ways of pagan nations into their lifestyles and worship (vv. 7-9), and they have become right proud of themselves for being like their unbelieving neighbors (vv. 10, 11).

God will put an end to this rebellion; everything that is lofty and proud and exalts itself above the Lord will be “brought low” and abolished (vv. 12-18). The people who did not fear their God as Isaiah proclaimed Him will fear Him in that soon coming day, and will try to hide from “the terror of the LORD,” but to no avail (v. 19). Seeing at last that God meant business, they will try to repent and be done with their idols (vv. 20, 21), but it will be too late. God’s wrath will overwhelm all those who prefer their own ways and the ways of the unbelieving world to His covenant and Word.

The call to Isaiah is the call to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Sever yourselves (be done with, have no more to do with), such a man” – the man who believes he knows better than the Lord how to conduct his life.

Prepare.
1. According to Isaiah 2.1-4, why will the Lord’s “house” be so influential in the last days (note the causal clause in v. 3)? Is this happening in your community?

2. Why is it so easy for God’s people to forsake the Lord and embrace unbelieving ways of living and worshiping God? How can we know when we’re beginning to do this? What should we do then (v. 5; cf. Ps. 119.59, 60)?

3. Why is it an act of justice for God to bring His wrath against proud, self-serving people, even those who claim to know Him? What would that look like if He did that in our day (cf. Heb. 12.3-11)?

[Isaiah] announces the wonderful and widespread demonstration of piety everywhere: idolatry will be destroyed, while the house of God will receive its due sign of universal respect.… After our Savior’s appearing, idolatry will be shown and the beauty of truth will be unveiled. In this we will see the fulfillment of this announcement. Furthermore, by “last days” he means that time following incarnation. Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 2.2

Lord, show me the implications of Your promise for working my Personal Mission Field, for I want…

Pray Psalm 96.
This psalm expresses the hope that all the world might know the salvation of the Lord. Pray this concerning your own Personal Mission Field, the people and places where God sends you each day. Remember the promise of verse 13, and pray for the Lord’s soon return.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 96 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above)
Sing to the Lord! O, bless His Name! All nations tell His glory! 
Salvation’s tidings loud proclaim; let earth rehearse His story! 
For God is greatly to be praised; His throne above all gods is raised – 
fear Him, and sing His glory! 

All other gods are idols vain – the Lord created heaven.
Splendor and strength with Him obtain; to Him be glory given! 
All fam’lies, praise this mighty Lord! Give strength and glory to His Word; 
exalt the Lord of heaven. 

Bring off’rings sweet to Him, our Lord, in holy garments praise Him! 
Tremble before Him, all the earth; among the nations raise Him! 
The earth is fixed, it will not move; the peoples will His justice prove – 
exalt the Lord and praise Him. 

Let heaven sing with lusty voice; let earth and sea sing sweetly! 
Let fields and trees in Him rejoice, for He is coming swiftly 
to judge the world in righteousness, the peoples in His faithfulness – 
He comes; exalt Him greatly!

T. M. Moore

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Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).