Bible Study Lesson for Isaiah 2:11-22: the Proud Will Be Humbled

(When I taught my two year long Bible study on Isaiah, I used The Pulpit Commentary Volume 10: Isaiah edited by H.D.M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell to give me a starting point and rough outline of the material covered in the chapters. In this article, when you read the phrase "my commentary", I am referring to this volume.)

Read Isaiah 2:11-18. God clearly hates pride and arrogance. Why? I pondered this for quite some time, trying to understand exactly why. Pride is thinking you are better than someone else, ultimately that you are better than God.

Is it because God Himself is proud and can't bear to have anyone around who thinks himself greater than Him? No - because the reality is that no one can be greater (in any capacity, way, shape or form) than God, so to God, looking at such people, their pride would be pure foolishness.

It would also be an untruth and God is truth and nothing untrue (or dark) can be in God's presence. Pride is the ultimate separation between God and man. You can't be "god" and with God at the same time, there is only one God.

Some other characteristics of a proud person is:

-- doesn't need God or anyone else (can do it himself)
-- ungrateful, since he doesn't recognize anyone else's contributions
-- deceived since he has a false image of self and reality (doesn't recognize God's hand in situations, or even other people's works)

I think ultimately the reason why God hates pride so much is because it does cause a separation between Himself and His child. If He can destroy that pride by humbling that person, by showing him the reality of God's power and the person's place in the universe (you're not the center, sorry, bud!), perhaps a right relationship can be restored.

Look again at verses 11 & 12 "... in that day" and "... has a day in store..."

There is a time coming when everyone will have to face the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah is emphasizing God as powerful ruler here.) Jesus modeled the proper attitude we should have. Read Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus' attitude of humility was rewarded and He was glorified; in fact He was a glory to His Father for His obedience.

In Isaiah 2 there are three categories of things that will be brought low (humbled).

Things of nature: cedars, oaks, mountains, high hills
Man-made things: towers, walls, trading ships, other sea vessels
Arrogant people

I understand why God would bring down arrogant people and man-made things, which people take pride in (towers, ships, etc. can be visible evidence of people's arrogance; many people take pride in their possessions) but what does God have against trees and mountains? After all, He made them to be tall and lofty!

The reality is, God is God and He can do whatever He wants, including destroying His own creation. We know that there will be many natural disasters as part of God's judgments and God's creation will suffer as a result.

Read Revelation 8:7. The sad truth is that when man fell, he took all of creation with him. Creation suffers along with man, and is very eager for Christ's return. Read Romans 8:18-21.

"For God so loved the world..." In Greek the word "world" is actually "cosmos" which includes everything, not just the earth, but all creation (the whole universe). So Christ's return will rescue not only the believing human, but all creation as well.

Read Isaiah 2:19-21. Isaiah continues in his prophecy, referring back to verse 10 where he gives his command to Judah. He is saying here that men will hide in caves. Verses 19 & 21 are almost identical and differ from verse 10 in that Isaiah adds "... when he rises to shake the earth."

Once again we can refer to Revelation 6:12-15. The sixth seal will be a great earthquake "to shake the earth."

I like Isaiah 2:20 - after all the time, effort, and money people put into making their idols, all the time spent worshipping and sacrificing to them, they are going to toss them at rats and bats. Finally, only then, will they recognize their idols' worthlessness before the reality of the true God.

Read Isaiah 2:22. Isaiah gives a command to the third party (he is clearly not speaking to God or to Judah). Isaiah is reminding us that we are but dust, living only because of what God gave us, a breath. All that separates life and death is a single breath.

Read Genesis 2:4-7. God created man - man didn't create God, so obviously you should put your trust in God, not man. As human beings, we think we are so wonderful and wise, but the truth is we are nothing without the breath of God. And He can take that breath back whenever and however He chooses.

Blessings!

Source
H.D.M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell (editors). The Pulpit Commentary Volume 10: Isaiah