For Israel, it would one day be the best of times (v. 1-5), but it was about to be the worst of times (2:6-3:26). God had high hopes for Israel (v. 1-5), but due to sin, “The Day of the Lord” (v. 6-22) was coming. Let’s look at a couple of the different movements in today’s reading.

First, we see a reference to the “last days” (v. 2). Traditionally, for Christians, the “last days” refers to the time when Jesus the Messiah will return for His church. This is the only place in Isaiah where the phrase is used. Isaiah may have had such a future period of time in mind, or he may have been referring to a time in the near future of the ancient Israelites to whom Isaiah originally prophesied. Regardless, a humbled and repentant heart which trusts in God can always look forward to a future time of restoration. 

Next, we see a reference to a pruning hook, a device used to prune vines (v. 4). The transition from weapons of war to agricultural implements indicates a transition from fear and stress to peace and security. The future would one day be bright for Israel, but unfortunately, for the ancient Israelites, “The Day of the Lord” was coming (v. 6-22). Briefly, the “Day of the Lord” represents a time when God personally intervenes in history to accomplish a specific aspect of His plan. It conveys a sense of terrible judgment for the ungodly, but salvation and deliverance for the righteous.  

In our text, Israel was called to live as a people distinct from the other people groups in the world.  Unfortunately, they had adopted the ways (v. 6 “superstitions”, “divination”) of other nations, and relied on them rather than on the Lord. To “embrace pagan customs” (v. 6) has also been translated to “clasp hands with pagans”, and may have signified the striking of a bargain with these foreign nations. Israel was seeking economic and military self-sufficiency, and was no longer depending on God. Israel had forsaken its true citizenship. 

Scripture often contrasts our heavenly citizenship with that of the world. Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” In John 17:14, Jesus states, “I have given them [believers] your word and the world has hated them, for they [believers] are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” Paul in Romans 12:2a states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In John 18:36, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” In James 4:4b, we read, “…anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  

When God acts in judgment, it is often to upset human values so that everything can be seen from a divine perspective. The “dread of the Lord” (v. 19, 21) is the terrifying revelation of the glory, power, and judgment of the one true God. The purpose of such a revelation is to establish a proper sense of values and to expose the worthlessness of idols, gold, and silver.  

God, through his prophet Isaiah, exposes the utter frailty of man “who has but a breath in his nostrils.” This is in contrast to the eternal majesty of God. In Revelation 4:8, the apostle John writes, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Later in Revelation 4:11, John writes “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things.” We should always remember that we are the creatures, and He is the creator.