Isaiah 2.11
“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.”
I encourage you to read the entire chapter of Isaiah 2. The beginning of the chapter (2.1-4) describes the glory of the Messiah’s future reign. The second part of the chapter (2.6-9) describes the disobedience of Judah during Isaiah’s generation. The third part of the chapter (2.10-22) describes how the arrogance of man will be humbled in the future Day of the Lord.
Following Jesus’ second coming and during his millennial reign, there will be no more war. There will still be conflicts between nations and individuals, but they will be justly and decisively resolved by the Messiah and those who reign with him.
“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 ways 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. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2.3-4)
Because the future reign of the Messiah is coming, Isaiah invites and challenges the people of Judah (and us!) to humble themselves and walk in obedience to the Lord.
“O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” (Isaiah 2.5)
However, the people of Judah did not walk in the light of the Lord. They were not obedient to the covenant. Instead, they were arrogant and self-centered and prideful. They worshiped false gods and idols, and they were absorbed with their wealth and comfort.
“Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made.” (Isaiah 2.8)
Therefore, because of Judah’s arrogance and idolatry, Isaiah issues a warning and a proclamation: Judgment is coming. This judgment would be both in Isaiah’s time (via the Babylonians), and in the future (via Jesus at his second coming). One of the primary outcomes of God’s judgment at Jesus’ second coming is that man’s arrogance will be humbled, and God alone will be exalted and glorified.
“So man is humbled, and each one is brought low—do not forgive them! 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.” (Isaiah 2.9-11)
These prophetic words from Isaiah could have been written for our generation, as well. Indeed, they were.
More tomorrow …
