Wednesday, November 13 – Isaiah 2, 3

1. What reason does Isaiah give for God forsaking the house of Jacob? Isaiah 2:6

2. How does Isaiah 2:8 describe idolatry?

3. When will Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21 be fulfilled?

Commentary and Reflection:

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states regarding the chronological placement of the prophet Isaiah: “The book of Isaiah is definitely dated, and the period from which it comes is well known in Near Eastern history. Isaiah was called to his prophetic office prior to the time he was accorded the vision of divine glory recorded in ch. 6, and carried on his ministry during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isa. 1:1). (SDABC, Introduction to the Book of Isaiah, Historical Setting).

Isaiah, being of royal lineage in Judah, had a ministry of great influence in Jerusalem that spanned 60 years. He was both a statesman and prophet. The SDABC adds: “Isaiah is appropriately called the Messianic prophet. No other seems to have had so clear a picture of the holiness and greatness of God, of the person and mission of Christ, and of God’s glorious purpose for His church. Isaiah is rightly regarded as the king of Israel’s celebrated prophets, and his writings the masterpiece of all prophetic writings. (SDABC, Introduction to the Book of Isaiah, Theme).

In the opening verses of chapter 2, there is a beautiful vision of God’s people:

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.” Isaiah 2:2

This prophetic vision refers to God’s purpose and plan for Israel as His people. We must remember that some prophecies are conditional, showing what could happen if humans, with the freedom God grants, choose a certain path. These prophecies were not fulfilled in literal Israel, but they will ultimately find fulfillment in the church, God’s people, and the spiritual Israel.

Isaiah also prophesies against adopting pagan practices “brought from the East,” such as divination. He announces “the day of the Lord,” which is the day of judgment when God intervenes definitively on earth and establishes His kingdom. He declares that God’s judgments will fall on the proud, haughty, arrogant, and idolaters. Idolaters are not just those who worship images but those who adopt the customs of the world, following its gods and rejecting the true God.

He describes the day of the Lord as follows:

“They shall go into the holes of the rocks,
And into the caves of the earth,
From the terror of the Lord
And the glory of His majesty,
When He arises to shake the earth mightily.” Isaiah 2:21

This passage aligns with the prophecy in Revelation: “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’” Revelation 6:15-17.

It also aligns with the words of the apostle Paul: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

These prophecies of Isaiah will find their fulfillment in the second coming of Jesus.

In chapter 3, God laments that His people have adopted the customs of pagan nations to the extent that they openly sin without shame, like Sodom and Gomorrah. He describes the “daughters of Zion” adopting the dress and customs of pagan women:

“In that day the Lord will take away the finery:
The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents;
The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils;
The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands;
The perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings;
The nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles;
The outer garments, the purses,
And the mirrors;
The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.” Isaiah 3:18-23

On the day of the Lord:

“And so it shall be:
Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench;
Instead of a sash, a rope;

Instead of well-set hair, baldness;
Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth;
And branding instead of beauty.” Isaiah 3:24

On that day, it will be evident that all these customs are vanity, that all will perish, and that only those who trust in the Lord will remain.

May God grant us sensitivity to the voice of His Spirit so that we may be led by Him and live as His people, waiting and preparing for the day of the Lord.