Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 2:5
Isaiah is calling the people out of their pagan ways. It says they have treasures, horses and chariots, but they also have many idols that they themselves have made, but it won't last forever Isaiah tells them. Isaiah tells them a time is coming when those who are proud and lofty will be brought low.
It is only the LORD that should be high and lifted up (vs. 17) and everything other thing that has been exalted above him will be abolished and all will hide 'for the glory of His majesty'.
So let's examine those two phrase, the light of the LORD and 'the glory of His majesty'.
'owr - light H216
What does that mean to walk in the light of the LORD? Gesenius says that light gives the idea of good fortune. Isaiah was call these people out of what they thought was good fortune (endless treasures and an abundance of horses and chariots). By the world's standards they seemed to have it good, but by God's standards they were lost. He was the author of their prosperity, and yet they made and bowed down to idols, not the One True God.
David put it his way, "[[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD is my light H216 and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light H216 of thy countenance." Psalm 89:15 The light of His countenance suggests that we seek His face, that we stay close to Him.
"Unto the upright there ariseth light H216 in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." Psalm 112:4 My Bible Study this morning and children's lessons all talked about God's immense grace for us. He takes care of us and provides for us by His grace. They made the statement that God's grace is one of the most energizing forces in the universe because it is by His grace that we are drawn out. He doesn't treat me as I deserve, but with His gracious love. By His grace my transgressions are removed far from me. The light speaks of His grace.
The light also refers to His WORD. "NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light H216 unto my path." Psalm 119:105 and in Proverbs 6:23 "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; H216 and reproofs of instruction are the way of life ..."
While the New Testament does not use the same Hebrew word, the concept is the same. Let's look at two verses.
1-Ephesians 5:8 commands us to walk in light: "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
2-Revelation 22:5 tells us that one day there will not need to be the sun to light the day because the LORD will be the light. "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."
I for one am looking forward to that day! In the meantime let us walk in His light, by the light of His WORD and in His grace.
The second phrase that repeats often in Chapter 2 is 'the glory of His majesty'. Many people hid because of the glory of His majesty (hadar ga'own).
Hadar is God's glory, His majesty and beauty.
Glory and honour H1926 are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. I Chronicles 16:27
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. H1926 Psalm 29:4
Honour and majesty H1926 are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96:6
I will speak of the glorious honour H1926 of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. Psalm 145:5
Ga'own also refers to majesty. So to me hadar ga'own is like saying 'His majestic majesty'.
The New Testament puts it this way in Hebrews 1:3, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
The Wrap Up
I am encouraged by Chapter 2 in Isaiah to be called out and to walk in God's light. One day we will live in eternal light in Heaven and see Jesus who is sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, but until that day we are called to be light and salt on this earth. To those of us who have received much grace, much grace is required. We should be sharing God's light and grace with those who come into our lives. May you shine a little brighter today as you think of Him!
Blessings Abundant,
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