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Overview

The title presents the book as “the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz” (Isa. 1:1). So in a sense, the whole book is Isaiah’s vision. As we look at chapter 2, verse 1 is interesting because it says “The WORD that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw….). This vision is put into words by Isaiah. 

Isaiah 2:1-3

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his way, and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

Notice that Isaiah is prophesying about the future. He is speaking about the “latter days”. This is what theologians call “progressive revelation”. God reveals His plan through His prophets. But it is only a piece of the puzzle. That is one of the challenging parts of understanding the Old Testament. 

Furthermore, we see here the significance of Jerusalem, the holy city, in the latter days. The question is, “In what sense is Jerusalem a part of the end times?” Some theologians say Jerusalem (and therefore Israel) is the focal point of the millennial kingdom. Others say Jerusalem and national Israel is ultimately a symbolic reference to the Church. More on that later. 

Yet we also see that the nations will flow to God’s city, to God’s people, to God’s law. Israel was supposed to be a light to the nations. It will be again. But are we a light? Is Auberry Community Church the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15)? Does our community flow to us because God is exalted in our midst?

Isaiah 2:10-11

Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

Here Isaiah references “the Day of the Lord”. This is a future day where God will judge the world. The language Isaiah uses should not be minimized. Terror. Being brought low. The pride of men humbled. God will be exalted. This will be quite the time. Most theologians put these events during the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus and other NT writers. 

So what do we do with this? Obviously, Isaiah is accomplishing multiple things at the same time. He is reminding the people of Judah that God will fulfill His promises to God’s chosen people, but He is also telling them that the day of Judgment is coming. 

Are you ready? Are you secure in your relationship with God? Do you need to be humbled and brought low? 

God is just. But He is also merciful. Don’t believe the lie that God will not come in judgment. He will.