Exposition by Max A Forsythe
One of the most essential lessons to be learned in the art of painting is to learn how to handle perspective. By perspective we mean the ability to show depth on a flat surface. Very many painters finally learn the technique, yet the use of a flat surface limits the total impact. It remained for photography in the last century to revitalize the search for reality in imaging the perceptions of the eye. At one point late in the nineteenth century, stereo pictures became the rage and photographers traveled the world to produce twin pictures, which could be printed and prepared for the special viewers, which gave the viewer the "reality" of three dimensions. The problem with those 3-D pictures is the necessity of special glasses or viewers so that they can be fully appreciated.
A lot of trouble you may think to get an adequate picture of the real world. Imagine then, if you will, a similar difficulty to comprehend the essential lessons and truths of prophecy. Just as in our example from the field of art, there is a real perception problem of the depths and glories of God's providential future. Certainly, there has been no lack of attempts to comprehend the essential truths of prophecy. But, not every student or commentator has been successful in comprehending the depths of God's prophetic revelation.
Just as in photography, several mistakes in perception of prophetic depth may be made. Because of widespread ignorance in our day and age, very many people can perceive only a flat surface of immediate reports with no perspective for the future. Others are so fixated on the far end of time because of their colored glasses that they can only see prophecy's concern with the last days. In both liberal and fundamentalistic cases of such misguided interpretation, the message of the whole prophecy is missed so that their favorite theories might be supported.
Our most competent commentator on Isaiah, Edward J Young would tell us on the basis of God's methodology of teaching in verse three that two points must be stressed. First, God alone can teach the truth and second, what unbelievers need above all else is teaching on doctrine. He says,
"What blinds the understanding of men is ignorance, and ignorance can only be dispelled by truth."
Thus it is incumbent upon all of us who would preach and teach what is given to us in God's word, to teach the doctrines that may ground people in knowledge, which leads to salvation. And that is the purpose of the inspired word, and may we take the word before us today and learn first of that salvation which will keep us standing in the presence of God the Almighty when these words are finally and completely fulfilled.
As we open to the first few verses of Isaiah chapter two, we are given several verses that coincide with similar verses from the prophet Micah. Some commentators make a big deal out of this quotation, as if pastors or prophets never quoted from another author. Since these verses are a preface to the prophecies in chapters two through four, we should not be perturbed with the use of inspired text to set up the context of the following prophecy.
The last days referred to here by Isaiah must be understood in the context of the Hebrew words which would indicate that the latter days of the Christian era are in mind for these events which in turn will lead to the last day itself. Of course, we may well understand that the words of Isaiah spoken in his time are to be fulfilled providentially and spiritually. In other words, the mountain or Jerusalem may not be lifted up geographically or materially in political power, but rather spiritually in truth. Calvin supports this nature of providential fulfillment with these words: "We must also observe the harmony between the figures of the law and that spiritual worship which began to be introduced at the coming of Christ."
The essential truth to be learned here in this opening passage is that the true faith will finally triumph over all other religions and manmade forms of worship. Even the pagan nations will learn this and come to the Lord to learn of His ways and to walk in His paths. Through these gentiles, the law will go out from Zion even to the ends of the earth.
The final consequence of God's providence is that His elect will choose peaceful means of solving their own disputes. Christian nations ought not to make war upon each other. Indeed the limits of a just war, debated and defined over the centuries might be kept in mind here. Total and final peace is not predicted here, at least not until the last day when Christ shall come and call His own into the everlasting kingdom.
Verse five opens up the second portion of our text today. Here is the invitation to the people of Judah.
"Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord."
Here Isaiah turns his focus from the latter days to the nearer days ahead of Judah. Having looked ahead to the glories of the future age, he challenges the people to look to their lives in the present. Every once in a while I have to encourage students to consider the future as they contemplate the requirements of the present. Just this week, several students asked if they had to do the assignments of the week. I encouraged them not to worry, there is always next year when they can take the course again!
But, for Judah and for the Christians in our time, we do not know the Lord's providential plan. Today, may very well be the day of salvation when we must consider our own standing before the God of heaven. Look carefully at verses six through eight to consider how very like the Judeans we really are. How many are there today who have abandoned the faith of their fathers? how many people are studying the superstitions from the East and even practicing divination? How many people have joined hands with the pagans on earth day to celebrate one of several New Age creeds that the Earth is the lord? How well we know the wealth of riches in our land and the multitude of horsepower upon our highways and byways. How well we know the many idols raised up among our cities and the love affair towards bigger and better skyscrapers and gigantic malls.
But what will regularly happen as Isaiah predicts? Just as history has shown, time after time - the works of man are brought down and the nations are humbled. First the Soviet Union, and in time even our own United States as well. But, where do the humbled go? Do they fall on their knees and beg for forgiveness? No, look at verse ten. The worldly would rather not kneel before the awesome might of the Lord. They would rather hide in nooks and crannies of the wilderness.
And yet, there really is no escape in the end, as Isaiah makes completely clear in the remainder of our chapter today. The worldly would hide their hearts and minds from the dread splendor of His majesty when He comes to judge the earth. Let us here gathered at the very least affirm two things. First, let us affirm that the Lord is indeed coming! And then because of that final inescapable fact, "let us walk in the light of the Lord." Second, as we realize that our only hope is in the Lord, let us put off at long last our trust in things human. let us put away the secularization of our age and trust alone in God. May God's Holy Spirit enable us to do both so that we might be found in Christ on that glorious day when Christ returns. Amen.
Resources Used:
Thomas, Derek.
God Delivers: Isaiah Simply Explained.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The
Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America)
- Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c)
2001
26 September 93
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.