Isaiah 2

2 the mountain of the Lord’s house. Mount Moriah, on which the Temple was built. It is here predicted that the true and spiritual worship of the Eternal God shall prevail over all systems of false religion, and that all nations shall be gathered under the righteous government of Zion’s Divine King, that they shall renounce the arts of war, and shall learn and practise only those of peace. Christianity has already done much to mitigate the horrors of war, and to ameliorate, in various ways, the political and social state of mankind. (See Gladstone’s Letters on Church and Religion: Letter to Sir A. Panizzi.) And we who live in the twentieth century have seen “what prophets and kings desired to see” and did not see—the gathering together of many nations in the League of Nations.

3 people. Rather, “peoples”; or, nations (R.V.).

He will teach us of His ways. The language of the “peoples” who go up to seek Jehovah, expecting to learn part of “His ways”—enough for practical duty: “we will walk,” etc.

Zion. It was at Jerusalem that the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel were first preached, and thence they were diffused through the world: see John iv. 22; Luke xxiv. 47, 49.

4 among the nations. Rather, “between the nations.” The peoples will appeal to Him as umpire on international questions. Disputes will be settled no longer by the senseless arbitrament of war, but by the Word of God.

6. Therefore. Rather, “For” (R.V.). In this declaration of God’s displeasure the reason is given why the people must return to God (5), if they would have the foregoing prophecy fulfilled to them. Then follow the causes of this displeasure—their connexion with foreigners, and imitation of them in their superstitious practices (6), their reliance on pecuniary and martial resources (7), and their worship of idols (8).

replenished from the East. Rather, “filled with customs (or superstitions) from the East” (see R.V.).

please themselves in. Rather, as R.V., “strike hands with”; i.e., make a compact with “the children of strangers,” i.e., the heathen.

8 idols. Lit., “nothings”; “gods which are yet no gods” (Jer. ii. 11).

9 boweth down . . . humbieth himself. In voluntary degradation before their idols.

Therefore forgive them not. Or, “And Thou dost not forgive them”: a return to the statement in ver. 6.

10. Enter into the rock. i.e., into the caves of the rock. The Jews had been accustomed to do this in times of hostile invasion: see Judg. vi. 2; 1 Sam. xiii. 6.

for fear, etc. Rather (as R.V.), “from before the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of His majesty.” The phrase is quoted, 2 Thess. i. 9.

13 cedars. Lowth remarks that in Hebrew poetry certain images are regularly appropriated to particular subjects: e.g., “cedars” and “oaks” to kings and princes: “mountains” to kingdoms; “towers” to protectors.

15 every high tower, etc. Referring possibly to the great works of Uzziah: 2 Chron. xxvi. 9-15.

16 ships of Tarshish. See note on 1 Kings x. 22. all pleasant pictures. Upon all visible objects of desire; i.e., upon all that is beautiful to the sight.

18 the idols He shall utterly abolish. Rather,

“The idols shall utterly pass away” (R.V.), a vivid prophetic outburst.

20. To the moles and to the bats. The idolaters, finding their idols unable to deliver them, would fling them, in the terror of their flight, to these pests of the field and of the house.

21 into the tops of the ragged rocks. Rather, “into the fissures of the cliffs.” The next words, “for fear,” or “from before the terror,” etc., are repeated from ver. 19. Such refrains are common in Isaiah.

22. Cease ye from man. i.e., cease to trust in him.