Isaiah 2:1-4 - Observations, Investigations, etc.

 ISAIAH CHAPTER TWO

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OBSERVATIONS: & INVESTIGATIONS:

ISAIAH 2:1-4 - Nations invited to dwelling place of God

Chapter 1 ends with the rebels and sinners and those who forsook the LORD consumed like tinder being burned in a fire.

Chapter 2 begins with the mountain of the LORD exalted and an invitation to come.  

Chapter 2 echoes a call to “Come,” like chapter 1, verse 18.  

V. 1 - Chapter two is introduced like chapter one, by describing a word from the Lord that Isaiah saw, concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 

V. 2 - The time is set: “in the latter days.”

A setting is established: the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be the highest, lifted above all hills.

Then a surprising twist: *all* the nations shall flow to it and many peoples shall come (plural “peoples,” meaning differing ethnic groups of people).

This word “flow” makes me think of the phrase that described the good land God was originally leading His people, “flowing with milk and honey.”  Now those nations who the Lord was seeking to separate His people from are now the ones flowing to the dwelling place of God and the ones calling for people to, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.” (v. 3a) (Clarifying, not just to any mountain of any God, but the mountain, which is the house/the dwelling place of THE “God of Jacob,” THAT God.

Why?

V. 3b - “that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”

The people of the nations want to know and walk in God’s ways! They have witnessed the good and fruitful ways of the God of Jacob.

V. 3c - “For out to Zion shall go the law (or footnote says “teaching”), and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”  Here, there is an emphasis that the word comes from the LORD, from Jerusalem (where His mountain/temple/dwelling place is), and is the law (or teaching), which is what they are desiring to come for!

(v. 6 - There is another “for,” another reason to “why” in verse 6 - “For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob.”  The nations are also being called/invited because God has rejected His own people due to their continuous rebellion.)

What will be the effects of His law and teaching that they will learn?

V. 4 - He shall judge between the nations

He shall decide disputes for many people

(His law discerns good/evil, right/wrong...justly)

And results in good from the people:

The people shall beat their swords into plowshares

And their spears into pruning hooks

(They will take their war weapons (swords and spears) and turn them into tools of fruitful production (plowshares and pruning hooks, which are used to produce a beautiful Garden…like in.the.beginning, as originally designed!))

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 

neither shall they learn war anymore.

(There will be peace among all peoples, as originally designed.  Cf. Gen. 11 - a reversal of the tower of Babel and reversal of the call to devote the wicked nations to destruction (Canaanites, Hititites, etc.)...because the nations want to learn the teachings of God and not learn war anymore!)

Is this not what most people agree on from liberals to conservatives to Miss America contestants…”World Peace.”  And how does Isaiah say this world peace will be accomplished? That we may come to the house of God, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths! 

SUMMARY 

(2:1-4)

The word came to Isaiah again to foreshadow that in latter days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the highest, nations shall flow to it and many peoples will say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD…that he may teach us…and we may walk in his paths.”  The Lord shall judge between nations and they will turn war weapons into gardening tools, and be at peace.    

PRAYER

LORD God, we praise you as the exalted God, whose dwelling place welcomes your people as well as sojourners.  We praise you as a good judge.  We praise you as a God of peace.  We are hopeful for how you work in these ways in the latter days.  LORD God, we know you are powerful and good and this passage gives us so much hope.  I confess that in my fear of what others will think, I do not invite others with me on the journey much.  Grant me boldness to invite others to, “Come…that you may teach us your ways…and we may walk in your paths.”  LORD God, teach me, that I may walk in your path, and invite others to do the same.  We thank you that this is possible through your son, Jesus, who you sent as the Prince of Peace to make all things right in your presence, so it is in the power of His name that we praise you, thank you, and ask these things.  Amen.

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Isaiah 2:5-9 - Observations, Investigations,etc. - Click HERE for STUDY GUIDE

Isaiah 1 - SUMMARY

 Isaiah 1 - SUMMARY & PERSONAL TAKE-AWAY

To Listen to Post - Click HERE (8:46)

To Print SUMMARY Study Guide - Click HERE

To Print Isaiah 2:1-4 - Observations, etc. - Click HERE

I once heard a seminary professor pause, apologize, and repent...He was in a rush to get through his notes and he skipped over reading a Scripture passage. He was then convicted that he neglected the Word of God for His own words. So he stopped and went back and read the passage he first skipped over.

We are here to Learn from the LORD. Let's read through Chapter One again, allowing the word of God to dwell in us richly, that it may transform us deeply! Let us not be so quick to jump to our human understand and neglect the Word of God itself.

Isaiah 1:1-31

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. 5 Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil. 7 Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. 9 If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. 10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!  11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts;I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. 12 “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? 13 Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel,    you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 21 How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them. 24 Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. 25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. 26 And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” 27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen. 30 For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water. 31 And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

SUMMARY

Isaiah receives a vision where the LORD declares that He has raised children who have rebelled and forsaken Him.  Even oxen and donkeys know their masters better than His estranged children know Him.  They continue to rebel, earning the destruction they deserve.  Isaiah tells us that if the LORD had not left a few survivors, (a remnant), they would have been completely destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah.  In the midst of their evil, they are called to hear the word of the LORD and not bring vain offerings, but rather repent and learn to do good, like correcting oppression, bringing justice to the fatherless, and pleading the widow’s cause (referred to twice). He invites the willing and obedient to come, have their sins washed white as snow, and promises they will eat the fruit of the land. But the rebels will be eaten by the sword.  The LORD of hosts, as He is referred to twice in this chapter, will avenge Himself by consuming his enemies, but restoring and redeeming the repentant remnant in righteousness.    

PERSONAL TAKE - AWAY

How has Isaiah 1 impacted you personally?  How has it impacted how you will think about God, have your own words or deeds impacted, or spurred you on to share these truths with others?

I see Isaiah 1 highlighting God as a God of justice, the LORD of hosts, who will go to battle to bring the rebels to ruin and redeem the repentant to righteousness.  I want to make sure I have a heart seeking the Holy Spirit for repentance and live gratefully and righteously, knowing I have been rescued and washed white as snow by the righteousness of our Redeemer, Jesus.  I am challenged to look for ways that I can seek justice and correct oppression in our current culture. 

PRAYER

O Father God, may we be a children who seeks to know You and not rebel.  May we see and trust Jesus as the Redeemer who rescued us from our sinful selves and offers our sin cleansing white as wool.  O Mighty One of Israel, Mighty One, who is the LORD of hosts, battling for your people, may we seek not to be on the rebellious side of the battle, but seek repentance through the righteousness of Jesus.  May we not trust in the strength of oaks or the provisions of gardens, but seek to have a willing and obedient heart, not doing vain religious activities, but hearing the Word of the Lord and doing His teachings.  May we seek Your Holy Spirit to be faithful children, ceasing evil, learning to do good, correcting oppression, bringing justice, pleading for the causes of the vulnerable.  LORD, You are worthy of our submission and obedience.  May we live for You and help others know You and do the same, that you may have more survivors to live on earth as it is in heaven!  Amen!    

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Isaiah 2:1-4 Observations,etc.

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Isaiah 1:21-31 - IMPACT

IMPACT - Isaiah 1:21-31

(Inform, Transform, Proclaim)

To Listen to the Post, Click HERE (8:44)

To Print Isaiah 1:21-31 IMPACT Study Guide, Click Here

To Print Isaiah 1- SUMMARY & PERSONAL Take-Away Study Guide, Click Here

Isaiah 1:21-31 - 21 How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross,    your best wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them. 24 Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. 25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. 26 And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” 27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

and those in her who repent, by righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen. 30 For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water. 31 And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them.

• How does this IMPACT you by INFORMING your understanding of and trust in God’s character? 

Take a moment to ponder for yourself & record your thoughts:

• V. 21, 26, 27 - highlight God’s value for righteousness

• V. 21, 26 - highlight God’s value for faithfulness, He is worthy of faithfulness

• V. 21, 23 - highlight God’s value for justice - He is holy and righteous

• V. 24 - He declares himself as the LORD of hosts and the Mighty One of Israel

• V. 24 - He also declares that He will avenge Himself on His foes

• V. 26 & 27 - He will restore & redeem - He is a Restorer and Redeemer

• All these characteristics have a sense of care for His people - He wants what is good and right for them.  In His power and might, He will redeem and restore His broken people to righteousness, faithfulness, and justice.  And it is part of His holiness and justice that will avenge Himself on His foes (the ones who have rebelled and forsaken Him - this is a right and good response to rebellious criminals/enemies).  This is a good God to trust in - one who cares, one who has power, and one who will make all things right…and there is only One God like that!  

• A good mantra in delights and difficulties: Thank you God that you are Mighty (you have the power to do what needs to be done), you Care (you have the personal love and compassion to meet me in my need), and you will make all things right (whether in the now or in eternity, I can have Hope in Your purpose and plan, for my good and your glory - enemies destroyed, righteous redeemed - the truth for your people in Isaiah 1 is the truth for me in the 21st century.     

• How does this IMPACT you by TRANSFORMING the way you think, speak, or act? 

Take a moment to ponder for yourself & record your thoughts:

The Christian life has a variety of paradoxes: “already, but not yet,” “grace and truth,” “the least shall be the greatest.”  Over the years, I have begun to ask God for a “humble confidence,” which seems like another paradox.  But as those adopted into God’s family through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, “humble confidence,” seems to be an accurate attitude.  Humility knowing that on my own I would be a selfish sinner living in rebellion and that anything good of me has been a gracious gift of God that I don’t deserve (cf. Rom. 3:23, 1 Cor. 1:26-31; James 1:17).  And confidence because being “In Christ” I have been entrusted with righteousness, strength, and purpose, among a host of other gifts.  (cf. Col. 1:21-22, 2:9,10).  I am called to walk both in this confidence and in this humility.  

I see this passage echoing these two truths.  LORD, please, transform me in remembering the reality that I had become unfaithful, I have the propensity to act the opposite of my calling, and I deserve the destruction described in this passage.  And yet!  Because of my trust in Christ’s righteousness bestowed to me, I can repent, be restored, and live as a redeemed, faithful daughter.  I want to be humbly mindful of where I have come from, have compassion and hope for the rebellious around me, and confidently walk in the righteousness of my Redeemer.  May I be impacted and transformed by these truths in thought, word, and deed.        

• How could this IMPACT those around you by the truths you can PROCLAIM to them? 

Take a moment to ponder for yourself & record your thoughts:

I actually had an opportunity this week to proclaim these truths to a friend, who is walking through trial.  I sent her a prayer via text that started, “Father God, you are Mighty, you are a personal, caring God, and you will make all things right.  We praise your steadfast character and thank you that we can trust you to work…

These truths can be proclaimed as a reminder to those who have been walking with Jesus a long time.  And for those who are not yet walking with Christ, the reality that God is a personal God who cares, a powerful God who is at work, and a God of justice who will make all things right can be the truths someone needs to know of in order to put their trust in this personal, powerful, purposeful God for the first time!  

PRAYER

O Mighty One of Israel, we praise you for your righteousness, justice, and faithfulness.  We confess that we once lived as your enemies in unrighteousness, injustice, and unfaithfulness.  We thank you for the gift of Jesus. We thank you that redemption is possible through trusting in His work on the cross.  May you continue to teach me to live in a way that remembers your calling and is consistent with living in your world in your way.  May I continually have a heart that is quick to repent and is faithful to turn toward your righteousness, Jesus.  May I continually learn It is in your Mighty Name that I praise You, thank You, and request of You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

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Summary and Personal Take Away from Chapter 1

Click HERE for SUMMARY Study Guide