Bible Study Lesson for Isaiah 2:8-10: the Sin of Idol Worship

(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 2:8. Judah (and Israel) had struggled with idol worship almost from the very beginning. We can trace this back to the time of Rachel (Jacob's second wife), when she stole her father's (Laban's) household gods.

Read Genesis 31:31-35. Ever since this time there has been this mixing of the one true God (Yahweh / Jehovah) and idol worship. Jacob did later deal with this issue of idols in his household. Read Genesis 35:1-5.

Today in church we sometimes talk about our "idols" being materialism, pleasure, fame, etc. Though obviously it is wrong to put anything in the place of God in our hearts and priorities, these kinds of sins really aren't what we consider Biblical "idolatry." Idols in the Bible are wooden or stone or metal objects / figures that are crafted to represent some deity, to act as an intermediary between the worshipper and the god. Being materialistic is not the same as being an idol worshiper, though the heart of the sin may be the same.

In the time of Isaiah, Judah was probably caught up into idol worship even more than previously because of her close associations with the pagan peoples around them. (Last part of verse 6: "... clasp hands with pagans.") Their commercial success was undoubtedly based in part on successful trading and commerce with these peoples. What made the situation even more distressing was that they were mixing this paganism in with the worship of Jehovah.

Read Isaiah 2:9. Isaiah continues to prophesy about the future, daring even to give God a command.

"...will be brought low" I think Isaiah here is making a word play on the fact that Judah is willingly bowing to idols (previous verse) and so he says, OK, let her be brought down, let her be humbled, if that is what she wants. Sometimes the worse thing you can give someone is what he or she asks for.

Isaiah is clearly angry in that he commands God not to forgive them. My footnote for this verse says this could also be translated to "or raise them up." Apparently being able to stand in the presence of God is an indication of forgiveness and a right relationship.

Read Isaiah 2:10. Isaiah is commanding Judah to run and hide. This is very similar to Rev. 6:15-17.

This future time is going to be one of great fear. People are going to be so terrified they are going to try to physically hide themselves from God, by running into caves, like animals. It is foolish, of course, and brings to mind Adam and Even trying to hide from God in the Garden of Eden after eating from the Tree of Good and Evil.

It will also be terrifying to look on God, on "the splendor of His majesty" if He isn't, in truth, your God and King, if you aren't in right relationship with Him. For the Christian it will be a joyous, awesome sight, to the unbeliever who has rejected God, a horrific nightmare.

To be continued...

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