ISAIAH
Chapter 2:1-4


Isaiah 2:1-4

quote:

"The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will 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 concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war."

Chapter 2 opens with a prophetic message. The emphasis in this study will be to study the prophecies as to what the words mean. Though some of the prophecies have unquestionable fulfillment, others may be uncertain as to partial fulfillment or fulfillment yet to come. An example is that of Isaiah 59:20-21 and Jeremiah 31:33-34. Paul quotes a portion of these two scriptures and indicates there is still a future fulfillment for the Jews once "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Romans 11:25-27). I believe some prophecies have dual fulfillment relating to events in the more immediate future, as well as the distant future, so we need to be careful that our interpretation of prophecy does not hinder us in our search for truth.

Verses 2-4 promise a glorious future for God’s people! The Hebrew words "acharith yom" translated "the last days", refers to the last part of the last days. So it is in the end of the end of days this prophecy will be fulfilled. Some believe it to be the "church age", while others believe it refers to a millennial kingdom. I think the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary makes an important valid point in saying, "If the curse foretold against Israel has been literally fulfilled, so shall the promised blessing be literal. We Gentiles must not, while giving them the curse, deny them their peculiar blessing by spiritualizing it."

Paul speaking of the Jews in Romans 11:12-15 says, "Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?"

Because of the day in which this prophecy was written, it is commonly understood the "mountain of the Lord" in this passage refers to Mount Moriah and the "house of the God of Jacob" refers to the Temple built there. As the result of this mountain being elevated in significance, all nations will flow to Zion, becoming a place for all to learn from the One True and Living God. Those who seek to go up to the Temple will be instructed in His ways. They not only wish to learn, but are resolved to translate that learning into proper behavior. Just as the Word went forth from Jerusalem with the apostles into the diaspora (areas outside of Israel where the Jews were dispersed), it appears the true instruction of the Lord for all mankind will go forth again from Zion.

The conclusion to this prophecy in verse 4 is still looked for in the future. God then becomes the supreme judge. If any disputes arise, they are no longer settled by war, but by the Word of God. All will bow in humble submission, resulting in a God-given righteous peace where there is no longer any need for weapons.

There are many parallel passages to this prophecy throughout the Prophets, a few of which include Jeremiah 3:18; Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 9:10 and Zechariah 14:16.

Whether this prophecy relates to the church or to a literal millenial kingdom of righteousness and peace, certainly application can be made for today. As believers, we are to bring others to join us in hearing the doctrine of salvation and sanctification. We are to seek the Word of the Lord and seek to know His ways to be transformed into His image through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:21-24
"Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

With clean hands and pure hearts let us know the joy of ascending His holy hill. Come let us go up and worship the Lord!