Isaiah 2: The Revelation of God's Glory
STANDING OUTSIDE THE Old City of Jerusalem is one of the most poignant memorials in Israel to the Six Day War of 1967. It is a futuristic sculpture made of wrecked military equipment with these words from Isaiah on it: "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore" (Isa 2:4). These words still seem infinitely far from fulfillment. Globally, defense spending exceeds the income of the poorest half of the world's population. Yet this chapter of Isaiah tells us of a coming day of reckoning when there will be some incredible surprises. But the sorting and reassessment process begins now in people's response to God (and to Christ). Then, in that day, the process will be completed.
Warming Up to God
What would you do if you knew the world would end next week?
Read Isaiah 2. »
Discovering the Word
- To what period or periods do the words day and days refer (vv. 2, 11-12, 17, 20)?
- According to verses 3-4, for what purpose and in what spirit do the nations stream toward Jerusalem?
- Verses 6-9 provide a rather sad contrast to the vision of verses 2-4. What is the land full of according to these verses?
- Verses 10-21 mention a number of great things, some natural and some synthetic, which will be brought low in the day when the splendor of God's majesty is revealed. What things are specifically mentioned?
- What do you think is God's purpose in this process?
Applying the Word
- In what practical ways can you express your own commitment to global peace?
- What incentives and encouragements do chapters 1 and 2 of Isaiah give you to trust God in troubled times?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to teach you what it means to stop trusting in humanity (v. 22) and to only rely on him.
For Further Study
Isaiah by J. Alec Motyer