1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 2:1-5 (KJV)
A part of verse 4 has been taken by peace advocates around the world as their rally cry; it even found its way onto the walls of the UN Plaza in New York City..."They shall beat their swords into plow shares...".
What is omitted is that God is the source of peace, and it is HIS judgment that will eventually bring into being the peace that will last. While we as believers are to work towards peace, and anything that is moral and ethical, the reality is that the world will one day end in radical elimination of the world’s governments, political and economic systems as we know them. It will be the final conflict at Armageddon where the Man of Peace will utter the ultimate word of war, ending all hostilities with the "sword of His mouth" (the Word of God).
This will be no David Koresh incident. This will be THE King of Kings and Lord of Lords. F.C. Spurr has aptly described the man, Isaiah, and his times:
"Isaiah was a prophet interpreting the mind of God. He was a statesman with a keen and comprehensive outlook on human affairs. He was also a poet bringing to human problems the illuminating imagination of the seer. His were days of international strife and convulsion, days witnessing vast world movements in which empires were seen at their birth, and empires were seen in withering decline and death."
Does this not remind us of our own day? After forty years of crisis (cold and hot wars, and their intrigues), Isaiah the realist and prophet of God knew that a world without tensions was out of the question. However, he looked with the heart of God for a world where men resolved their conflicts without resorting to wars.
Isaiah was also a confirmed optimist. Matthew Henry said that he had "a keen sense of the future." Perhaps sensing the brink of possibilities for the kingdom of God...of making some sense and order of the confusion of his day, the prophet did speak out. And he did make some sense that is still making sense today.
We live today in a world fraught with questioning. Truth is said to be relative (who wants more relatives?).
It (truth) is changeable, according to the individual.
We’ve almost ceased being shocked when leaders in government flaunt their immorality; and men we held up as God’s men leave their pulpits over sins revealed. And they leave without genuine repentance -- only sorrow over being caught.
We’ve almost come to expect professional athletes to have cocaine habits.
We tolerate open sexual immorality and behavior that would have made our grandparents rise as one nation to accuse us of being Sodom and Gomorrah revisited.
Everywhere there is tension and disappointment in the faces of our neighbors. In an election several years ago the media reported that all six candidates for city commission seats had had misdemeanor or felony convictions in the past.
It is disheartening, and frightening to witness in our lifetime the tremendous downhill slide of morality, and the grotesque loss of character in America.
With all the uncertainty of life, and the confusion of what life offers (and the future), HOW can a person keep from worrying and wondering when it is all going to fall apart - cave in?
==>How can we begin to stop this national paranoia and begin to enjoy life?
==>How can you find meaning that will make sense at all of why we’re here?
==>Can there be a rebuilding of the American dream?
If Isaiah were standing right next to me now I am certain he would shout a resounding YES!! He spoke to just as mixed-up a crowd as this world now sees.
Notice how in verse 3 he points out that it is the Word of God, and God’s law that would have pre-eminence when people turn from the confusion of life towards God. There it is!!! It is the WORD OF GOD that is to be our standard!
Isaiah had a word from the Lord for us. He said, "Come." It means to "come away." Come away from the darkness.
He also says, "Walk." Actually the words are the same in Hebrew. He means for us to come away from darkness, and journey towards the light. It is the light of God our Lord.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said it this way, "Every human good begins with the enthronement of God." Jesus gave us the way, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Mt 6.33 [KJV]. As I understand it, that means when we start to have God as our priority, the rest of life starts to fall into place. As we journey in light (the clear illumination of God’s Word), we find answers for the questions...faith for our doubt, and sense where there is chaos and confusion.
Today, let’s accept Isaiah’s invitation to come away from the darkness, and move into the marvelous light of God’s Word, and His love. Let’s see what we discover:
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD WE FIND DELIVERANCE FOR THE CONSCIENCE
Darkness is a condition of guilt and sin. Isaiah invites us to come away from our sins. Christ died that we might not have to have the darkness, being away from God.
Jesus brought the light with Him, but men in their sin loved the darkness more than light. We are like that (Just check with any self-centered two year old - was that redundant?).
It is called the sin nature, and it condemns us -- we are guilty before a holy God. We deserve punishment. But Isaiah says, "Come away from that dark place!" The Son of God died to bring you to the light.
Helen Keller was born deaf and blind, unable to speak. One day a teacher brought the light, put thoughts in her eyes, meaning in a pain-filled life. She was turned away from darkness.
Jesus did that! He brought light from heaven to eyes that had never seen; yours and mine. You don’t have to stay in the guilt and condemnation of the darkness of sin. You can find deliverance for your conscience.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD WE FIND DELIGHT FOR THE SOUL
Our guide, Isaiah, tells us more than the negative of "Stay away from darkness." He points us to the JOY of light. He gives us direction. And there’s nothing more fulfilling than having direction, a purpose in life; and being able to work at it. Consider the delights that you have in Jesus:
==>You’re created in His image.
You have the ability to love and be loved.
==>You’re cradled in His hand.
Paul tells us (Ro 8.28) that nothing happens, but that God will use it to bring something good about in your life.
==>You’re called to do His work. In you is placed a spiritual gift to serve and express your love towards God. And to help share God’s love with others. It is the best work in the whole universe!
==>You are consolidated into His body. As a believer you have a family to help and strengthen you. A group dedicated and willing to develop your gifts, heal you in kindness, and give you a place to use your abilities.
==>You are confirmed as a citizen of heaven.
Right now the child of God has countless angels around the throne (and in this place) cheering for him. The Spirit of God is within you confirming your heavenly citizenship. The Son of God is waiting to greet you and welcome you into the presence of the Father.
What a wonderful delight for the soul to know that the light of the Lord will never go out! Keep the light in focus. Remember this, beloved...A man walking TOWARDS the light always has the shadows BEHIND him! Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
