The Humbling Of Mankind

Isaiah 2:10-17

Our Old Testament Passage today from this week’s Lectionary readings is a rather obscure passage in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  Let’s take a look and see what Isaiah is saying here.

Isaiah speaks of a day coming in the future when the Lord God will bring judgment on the pride of man and his arrogance against Him, and our pride and willfulness will be destroyed.  The term “day of the Lord”, which Isaiah uses in verse 12 and alludes to in verse 17, is a term used in Scripture to refer to a time when God will bring judgment.  Sometimes it referred to a specific time when He was chastening His people, like with the Babylonian invasion.  Often it referred to God’s final judgment of the world for their sins and rebellion against Him.  In this passage Isaiah is referring to a future end time day when God will judge the pride and rebellion of man against Himself.

Just about every sin can be traced back in some way to pride, and would have its roots in pride.  It was pride that caused the one-time archangel, Lucifer, to be cast out of heaven and become now known as Satan (Isaiah 14:12-17).  Pride is one of Satan’s key weapons to use on us to get us to sin like he did.

Verse 11 speaks of men’s lofty looks and haughtiness.  Look around today - don’t you see that everywhere?  In the political realm, regardless of whether they are left wing or right wing, you see arrogance and pride.  In the business world, as well, this is unbridled and widespread.  God sees this, and notes that mankind has set themselves against Him.  On that day, though, God has promised that He will bring them down and He, alone, shall be exalted (vs. 11-12).

In verse 13 we read about the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan.  The wood from the cedars of Lebanon were used to panel the Temple in Jerusalem and the royal palaces.  It was beautiful wood.  Oak trees are big and strong.  In many cultures and ancient religions around the world trees have been worshipped, particularly oak trees.  God will bring down anything that exalts itself against Him.  Ancient pagan practices and worship often took place on top of hills, and these God is going to destroy as well (vs. 14).  He will destroy every religious belief and practice that is not of Him and through His Son, Jesus Christ.

In verse 15 we read of the high towers and fortified walls.  This spoke of a city’s defense, such as fortresses they built to protect themselves from the enemy.  Today nations don’t usually build walls around cities with fortresses like they did in times past, but we do build up our military strength.  Has that replaced our trust in the Lord God to protect us?  Has our pride been placed in that instead of Him?

We read in verse 16 of the ships of Tarshish and the sloops.  Ships from Tarshish, which would have been along the western end of the Mediterranean, would have been trading ships.  They would have brought goods from all around the known world to the shopping markets of Israel.  Buy, sell, gain wealth, and decorate their homes.  What did they need God for, they would have thought.  A sloop would be a recreational boat.  “Look what my wealth has gotten me?”  God condemns mankind's pride, the thinking that their wealth, their power is all they need, and not Him.  Are we depending on ourselves, and putting our trust in ourselves, and not in God?

God has promised that everything that exalts itself against Himself will be brought down (vs. 17).  The world will see and acknowledge Jesus Christ as God and King, and He will rule over all.  That day is coming soon.  We all need to be sure that we have a proper relationship with God through salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ.

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