Isaiah 2:6-16

6 For you, O Lord, have given up your people, the family of Jacob, because they are full of the evil ways of the east, and make use of secret arts like the Philistines, and are friends with the children of strange countries.

7 And their land is full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their stores; their land is full of horses, and there is no end to their carriages.

8 Their land is full of images; they give worship to the work of their hands, even to that which their fingers have made.

9 And the poor man's head is bent, and the great man goes down on his face: for this cause there will be no forgiveness for their sin.

10 Go into a hole in the rock, covering yourselves with dust, in fear of the Lord, before the glory of his power.

11 The high looks of man will be put to shame, and the pride of men will be made low, and only the Lord will be lifted up in that day.

12 For the day of the Lord of armies is coming on all the pride of men, and on all who are high and lifted up;

13 And on all the high trees of Lebanon, and on all the strong trees of Bashan;

14 And on all the high mountains, and on all the hills which are lifted up;

15 And on every high tower, and on every strong wall;

16 And on all the ships of Tarshish, and on all the fair boats.

Isaiah 2:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 2

This chapter contains a vision or prophecy of the enlargement of Christ's kingdom and interest, and of the glory of his church in the latter day, by the calling of the Gentiles, and the numerous conversions of them to it, and of the abolition of idolatry, and the destruction of the antichristian party. The inscription to it is in Isa 2:1 the prophecy itself follows; the date of it is the last days; the subject matter of it, the kingdom, interest, and church of Christ, signified by the mountain of the Lord's house; its glorious estate is expressed by its establishment on the mountains; by its exaltation above the hills; and by the great numbers that should flock to it, and should encourage one another to go up to it, in order to learn the ways of God, and walk in them; the means of which is the Gospel preached, that should go out of Jerusalem; the effect of that is peace among the nations: hence the house of Jacob is exhorted to walk in the light held forth by it, Isa 2:2-5 and then the reasons are given of God's rejecting and forsaking some that bear the Christian name, called the house of Jacob; namely, their Heathenish superstition, idolatry, covetousness, and confidence in their riches; who are sarcastically called upon to hide themselves in the rocks for fear of the Lord, Isa 2:6-10 when the judgments of God are denounced on the proud and lofty, comparable to cedars, oaks, mountains, hills, high towers, fenced walls, and ships of the ocean, at which time, Christ, and he alone, will be exalted, and idolatry utterly abolished; the consequence of which will be the utmost dread and terror to all idolaters, Isa 2:11-21 and the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to such to cease from the man of sin, and have him in no account, Isa 2:22.