Isaiah 2 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

The word — Or, the matter or thing, as this Hebrew word commonly signifies; the prophecy or vision.

In the last days — In the times of the Messiah. For Christ's institutions were to continue to the end of the world. The mountain — The temple of the Lord which is upon mount Moriah; which yet is not to be understood literally of that material temple, but mystically of the church of God; as appears from the flowing of all nations to it, which was not to that temple, nor indeed was fulfilled 'till that temple was destroyed. Exalted — Shall be placed and settled in a most conspicuous and glorious manner, being advanced above all other churches and kingdoms.

The law — The new law, the doctrine of the gospel, which is frequently called a law, because it hath the nature and power of a law, obliging us no less to the belief and practice of it, than the old law did.

He — Christ shall set up his authority among all nations, not only giving laws to them, but doing what no other can do, convincing their consciences, changing their hearts, and ordering their lives. Rebuke — By his word and Spirit, convincing the world of sin; and by his judgments upon his implacable enemies, which obstruct the propagation of the gospel.

The light — Take heed that you do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will discern it.

Therefore — For the following reasons. Thou — Wilt certainly forsake and reject. Thy people — The body of that nation. Because — Their land is full of the idolatrous manners of the eastern nations, the Syrians and Chaldeans. Philistines — Who were infamous for those practices. They please — They delight in their company, and conversation, making leagues, and friendships, and marriages with them.

Treasures — They have heaped up riches, and still are greedily pursuing after more.

The great man — Men of all ranks fall down and worship idols.

Enter — Such calamities are coming upon you, that you will be ready to hide yourselves in rocks and caves of the earth, for fear of the glorious and terrible judgments of God.

The day — The time of God's taking vengeance upon sinners.

The cedars — The cedars and oaks on the mountains shall be either thrown down by furious winds or earthquakes, or torn in pieces by thunder and lightning; and the stately houses built with cedars and oaks, shall be destroyed.

Hills — To which men used to betake themselves in times of danger.

Wall — To which you trusted for your defence.

Tarshish — The ships of the sea, as that word is used, Psalms 48:7, whereby you fetched riches from the remote parts of the world.

They — The idolatrous Israelites.

Shall cast — Into the meanest and darkest places, in which moles and bats have their abode.

Cease ye — Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath — Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein — What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?