The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

Lord.” I have come face to face with my own inadequacies, biases, and theological agenda. I have also seen those of otherinterpreters. It almost seems that people find in Revelation what they expect to find. The genre lends itself to abuse!However, it is in the Bible for a purpose. Its placement as the concluding “word” is not by accident. It has a message fromGod to His children of each and every generation. God wants us to understand! Let us join hands, not form camps; let usaffirm what is clear and central, not all that may be, might be, could be true. God help us all!} “all the nations will stream to it” This VERB (BDB 625, KB 676, Qal PERFECT) denotes an everflowingstream of water, like an artesian well. Here it is metaphorical of the unending flow of people toYHWH.2:3 Notice the request of the nations.1. “come,”BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERATIVE2. “let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,” BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERFECT used in aCOHORTATIVE sense3. “That He may teach us concerning His ways,” BDB 434, KB 436, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in aJUSSIVE sense4. “that we may walk in His paths,” BDB 229, KB 246, Qal COHORTATIVE5. “that the law (teachings) will go forth from Zion,” BDB 422, KB 425, Qal IMPERFECT used ina COHORTATIVE sense} “His paths” This term (BDB 73) is used several times in Isaiah (cf. 2:3; 3:12; 26:7,8; 30:11; 33:8;40:18; 41:3) and prominently in Proverbs (cf. 1:19; 2:8,13,15,19,20; 3:6; 4:14,18; 5:6; 8:20; 9:15; 10:17;12:28; 15:10,19,24; 17:23; 22:25). It metaphorically denoted a lifestyle faith that obeyed and walked in(cf. Exod. 16:4; Isa. 30:20; 42:24; Jer. 9:12; 26:4; 32:23; 44:10,23; Zech 7:12) God’s teachings. Thismetaphor for lifestyle, faithful living became the first title of the NT church, “The Way” (cf. John 14:6;Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22; 18:25-26).} “Zion” Jerusalem (like Rome) was built on seven hills. Zion (BDB 851, meaning uncertain) was thehill on which the original Canaanite city of Jebus or Salem was built (cf. I Kgs. 8:1; II Chr. 5:2). AsJerusalem grew it became a way of referring to the whole city and temple (cf. v. 3, lines 6 and 7; Jer.50:28: 51:10).2:4 “He will judge. . .render decisions” These two VERBS (BDB 1047, KB 1622 and BDB 406, KB410) describe the reasonings and decisions of a wise ruler. YHWH and His Messiah are the ultimatewise rulers!} The Lord’s presence and teachings will cause the nations to abandon their attacks on God’s people(cf. Psalm 2; Ezekiel 38-39). They will pursue peace (cf. 9:6-7; 11:6-9; 57:19; Hos. 2:18; Zech. 9:10).} “swords into plowshares” This is an idiom for peace. The opposite occurs in Joel 3:10.NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:5-115Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.6For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob,Because they are filled with influences from the east,And they are soothsayers like the Philistines,And they strike bargains with the children of foreigners.7Their land has also been filled with silver and gold47