Isaiah 2:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 2:1-5

The particular title of this sermon (Isa. 2:1) is the same with the general title of the book (Isa. 1:1), only that what is there called the vision is here called the word which Isaiah saw (or the matter, or thing, which he saw), the truth of which he had as full an assurance of in his own mind as if he had seen it with his bodily eyes. Or this word was brought to him in a vision; something he saw when he received this message from God. John turned to see the voice that spoke with him. Rev.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge among the nations ,.... Or, "it shall judge"; either the mountain of the Lord's house, as Abarbinel thinks, that is, the church; for in the spiritual reign of Christ, in the latter day, the judgment shall be given to the saints of the most High, and they shall possess the kingdom; the power of civil government will be in their hands, and they shall judge the world; for kings will then be nursing fathers to them, and queens nursing mothers. Or the law and word of the Lord,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 2:4

Neither shall they learn war any more - If wars are necessary, how deep must that fall be that renders them so! But what a reproach to humanity is the trade of war! Men are regularly instructed in it, as in any of the necessary arts. "How to dislodge most souls from their frail shrines By bomb, sword, ball, and bayonet, is the art Which some call great and glorious!" And is this a necessary part of a finished education in civilized society? O Earth! Earth! Earth! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 2:1-4

Hope and fear to be both called out as motives by the preacher. Already in the first chapter Isaiah has appealed to both motives, and while for the most part denouncing Israel's sins, and declaring their coming punishment, has taken care to intersperse among these warnings announcements of a more cheerful character (see particularly verses 9, 19, and 25-27). Now, being about to devote almost two whole chapters to denunciations, he prefaces them with one of the most glorious and joy-inspiring... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 2:1-4

The golden age. I. THE BLESSED OR GOLDEN AGE A SUBJECT OF EARLY PROPHECY . It is believed that we have in these verses a very ancient oracle, first delivered by the earlier prophet Joel (see Joel 3:10 ), and from him repeated by Isaiah and Micah ( Micah 4:1-4 ). An eternal hopefulness lived in the heart of the great prophets, like a light shining in a dark place, amidst all the scenes of national sin and depression. What has been said of true poetry is to be said of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 2:1-5

The promised future: a missionary sermon. I. THAT DIVINE TRUTH WILL KNOW A TIME OF GLORIOUS ELEVATION . The "last days" ( Isaiah 2:2 ) may be distant days, may be "afar off" still, but they are coming ; we are steadily advancing to them. The "mountain of the Lord's house" may be low down today, but it will rise; it may be but as a hill of sacred truth obscured among the mountains of error. But God's high purpose shall surely be fulfilled in time; the day will dawn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 2:2-4

PROPHECY OF THE LAST DAYS . The resemblance of this prophecy to Micah 4:1-3 is so close as to necessitate the conclusion either that one of the two prophets copied from the other, or that both copied from an earlier document. The latter view, which is that taken by Rosenmüller, Maurer, De Wette, Meier, and Mr. Cheyne, seems preferable. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 2:4

He shall judge among the nations . This is clearly not yet fulfilled. How God shall ultimately "judge among the nations," or rather "between nation and nation," is a mystery which only the future can reveal. It has been supposed that "by his providential retributions he will decide those international questions out of which war ordinarily springs" (Kay). But it would seem to be at least as likely that he will bring the nations to such a pitch of wisdom and moderation, that they will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 2:4

War no more. It seems that the reign of Uzziah was famous for the invention of new weapons of war ( 2 Chronicles 26:11-15 ). Isaiah, observing this, contrasts with it the good time coming, when righteousness rules the relations of kings and kingdoms; and when Messiah, the Prince of righteousness, and therefore Prince of peace, judges among the nations. If Christ really reigned, and held the allegiance of every man and of every nation, all disputes could be settled by arbitration; if each... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge - Or he shall exercise the office of a judge, or umpire. This “literally” refers to the God of Jacob Isaiah 2:3, though it is clear that the meaning is, that he will do it by the Messiah, or under his reign. One office of a judge is to decide controversies; to put an end to litigations, and thus to promote peace. The connection shows that this is the meaning here. Nations that are contending shall be brought to peace by the influence of the reign of the Messiah, and shall... read more

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