Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come you, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.… I. THIS IS ISAIAH'S INVITATION TO HIS COUNTRYMEN TO REPENT. To feel the full force of his appeal we must notice the connection of the text with its context. 1. The prophet commences by quoting (vers. 2-4) what is probably an ancient prediction, quoted also by Micah (Micah 4:1-3). The people would doubt. less look eagerly for the fulfilment of this prophecy, so agreeable to their national hopes. But no sign of its accomplishment was to be seen. They were indeed enjoying in the reign of Uzziah a season of secular prosperity, but they were far from being "established in the top of the mountains"; they were surrounded by watchful foes, and certainly there were no signs of the long foretold reign of peace. 2. The light of worldly prosperity had not brought them the fulfilment of the prophecy of peace. Isaiah then bids them "walk in the light of the Lord"; for, as he goes on to show, God had forsaken His people on account of those sins which their prosperity had engendered. Therefore it was that this prophecy was not fulfilled to them. Their very prosperity kept them back from greater prosperity (vers. 6-9). 3. But this state of things could not continue. If they refuse to walk in the light of the Lord, He will not only withdraw the promised blessings, but will humble them by taking away the prosperity they already enjoyed (vers. 10-21). II. THE SITUATION OF THE CHURCH OF GOD THUS DESCRIBED BY ISAIAH REMAINS ALMOST UNCHANGED TO THE PRESENT DAY. 1. We still look for the time when "the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains," and the promised "peace on earth" shall be realised; but we see no sign of its immediate approach. The Church still continues beset with foes, unable to stem the rising tide of rationalism and unbelief; and certainly these are no signs of the long-foretold reign of peace. 2. If we inquire why this is so, the answer is the same as it was in the days of Isaiah. We do not, with a single eye, walk in the light of the Lord. We enjoy a large measure of worldly prosperity. Science and secular knowledge and useful arts make rapid progress, and in their light we walk, too often forgetting that it is but a reflected radiance, borrowed from the one source of all true light. If the Church makes some impression upon the world, the world also makes great inroads upon the Church. 3. But this state of things cannot last forever. Isaiah of old spake of the day of the Lord, which would surely overtake His people if they continued to follow their own inventions and to neglect God. A yet greater and more terrible day of the Lord is at hand. In that day all the pride of our modern civilisation, its wisdom and knowledge, will aid us no more than the idols of silver and gold, unless withal we are found walking in the light of the Lord. (A. K. Cherril, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.WEB: House of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh. |
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