However many times we read the opening verses of Isaiah, chap. 2, we are refreshed in mind and spirit by the things which the prophet saw in vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Having been captured by the wonders yet to be accomplished we pray that the last days of Gentile dominions might soon end and the “Mountain of the Lord’s house established”.
This “mountain” is to be established above all mountains and hills: it is beautified by the presence of God’s Son and by the vast multitude of those pictured later by Isaiah as being “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He might be glorified”. As the 72nd Psalm indicates, “this mountain of the Lord’s House” becomes established “by righteousness” and is associated with the place which the King will give “to the people”. In fact, there is to be “an abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth”: This follows as the result of “the righteous flourishing”. Now in this world the wicked flourish and walk on both sides of the street. A vast and wonderful change is to come upon the earth and its inhabitants. In the midst of the land (of Judah and Jerusalem) many are to lift up their voice and sing for the majesty of the Lord . . . the name of the Lord God of Israel is yet to be glorified in the isles of the sea . . . and from the uttermost parts of the earth songs are to be heard giving glory to the righteous. This is the wonderful change that will occur when the Lord of Hosts reigns in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously (Is. 24. 13-16).
It is Daniel the prophet who tells us of -the stone” that was the beginning of this “mountain of the Lord’s House”. It was “cut out without hands”; in other words, its appearance and design was not of human agency. No human agency, however sincere and desirous of perfection, could produce one whose righteousness would bring peace to mankind. As the scripture declares, there was and could not be any “daysman”, or saviour, apart from Divine intervention in the bringing forth of “the virgin-born Immanuel”. As the title of Immanuel reveals, “God is with us” through his Son, who himself declared, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father”.
Isaiah (chap. 28. 16), speaks of this one as being “a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation”. Jesus (quoting from Ps. 118. 22) drew attention to the fact that he was this stone “refused by the builders, yet by the Lord made the head stone of the corner”. Israel showed themselves ignorant of this son of God and consequently went about “to establish their own righteousness”. This is involved in “the blindness in part which is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles is come in”. When this fulness has been reached, Israel will see and know and with contrite heart acknowledge and accept the corner stone. This is the stone which became “a great mountain and filled the whole earth”. It is from “this corner” that righteousness appeared and ultimately is to issue forth unto the ends of the earth. This is the line which will measure all, the plummet which will decide “uprightness” and the power that will sweep away the refuge of lies”.
This is the judgment which “takes out of the nations a people for God’s Name” and those who are thus separated Daniel calls “Saints”, saying, “they shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever” (Dan. 7. 18).
These are they who form “the house of the Lord”; like the son they are “lively stones built by God into a spiritual house, fitly framed together, capable of being an habitation of God”.
They constitute the power which Isaiah tells us is yet to go forth from Zion. It is indeed the law and the word of the Lord. Thus will Christ the King “judge among the nations and rebuke many people”.
In chap. 17. 13, Isaiah again presents the returned Messiah as “the Rebuker”. The picture is of “eveningt ide trouble” (v. 14): the evening before the dawn of Zion’s glad morning, “the latter days”, when the nations rush like the rushing of many waters (v. 13). This is “the troubled sea which casteth up mire and dirt”: thus there is no peace, and indeed cannot be until the rushing waters are still and angry waves quiet. The Lord asked Job the question, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth . . . who shut up the sea with doors when it brake forth . . . and said, Hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and here shall they proud waves be stayed” (Job 38. 11).
The earth is full of “proud waves”, but the Rebuker from God’s right hand is to come and then the day of the Lord shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty . . they shall go into the holes of the rocks and into the caves of the earth for fear of the Lord and for the glory of his majesty when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth (Is. 2. 12-19), “God shall rebuke them and they shall flee afar off (Is. 17. 13).
As the result of rebuke the nations learn righteousness; they become willing thus to do. The Psalmist speaks of the day when “the rod of God’s strength shall rule from Zion” and God’s people of Israel will then -be willing” (Ps. 110. 2-3). In fact, all nations will be willing—wise among themselves—in saying one to another, “Let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob. He will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths” (Is. 2. 3-4).
Such are some of the wonders of the new heavens and earth in which righteousness will flourish. The call of the prophet Isaiah (v. 5), comes to all who claim to be the children of Abraham:
“O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Let the faithful of today cast away their idols of gold and silver to the moles and to the bats. Let us not trust in horses, chariots or our treasures. Let us cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils. So shall we be replenished by the light of the Lord and in the Divine grace find ourselves in the land of the living and constituents of the Lord’s House.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay