The LORD Alone Will Be Exalted (Isaiah 2:6-22)

 

The LORD Alone Will Be Exalted (Isaiah 2:6-22)

Who Are We, and Where Do We Stand? God is the Creator, and we are His creation. Humans were formed from dust—just dust (עָפָר). Since we came from dust, we will return to dust (Ecclesiastes 3:20). But God made us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). When He shaped man from the dust and breathed life into him, he became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Unlike animals, humans were created to communicate and have a fellowship with God the Creator.

However, Adam fell into sin and was ultimately cast out of the Garden of Eden. Later, God rescued the descendants of Jacob from their suffering as slaves in Egypt and made a covenant with them. The agreement was clear: if they honored and obeyed God’s commands, they would be blessed, but if they disobeyed, they would face judgment. God chose to save them out of His grace alone, making them His covenant people. Therefore, no human being has any right to claim glory for themselves. Only the LORD God is worthy of eternal glory, honor, and praise. Amen!

The LORD Rejects His People, the House of Jacob

6 You, LORD, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and make alliances with pagans. 7 Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. 8 Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. 9 So people will be brought low and everyone humbled—do not forgive them. (Isaiah 2:6-9)

God rejected His chosen people, the descendants of Jacob. Why? Because they rejected Him first. They followed superstitions, practiced divination like the Philistines, and made covenants—including intermarriage—with foreign nations. After entering Canaan, they became wealthy but also filled their land with idols. Everyone—both lowly and noble—bowed down to false gods. As a result, they were completely abandoned by God.

Yet, God had first poured out His great grace on them. When they were slaves in Egypt, He raised up Moses to lead them to freedom. He parted the Red Sea, guided them through the wilderness, and brought them into the land of Canaan. He drove out the sinful Canaanites and blessed Israel with abundance. This wasn’t because Israel deserved it, but because the sin of the Canaanites had reached its full measure, and God’s judgment came upon them. As He had told Abraham long before: "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." (Genesis 15:16)

Why Did God Forbid Idolatry?

Because He alone is the all-powerful God who rescued His people. Idols are nothing—they have no power to save. In fact, they only lead to destruction and ruin. But idolatry is a strong temptation. The invisible God and His kingdom seem distant, while physical objects and worldly things feel immediate and satisfying. To people driven by desires and cravings, idols seem to offer something real. That’s why God repeatedly warned His people not to bow to them:

29 The LORD your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” (Deuteronomy 12:29-30)

Because of this, God punishes those who engage in idolatry. Idols are merely wood, stone, or metal—they have no power, no authority. Worshiping them is useless, and those who follow them waste their time and ultimately face destruction. The nations of Sodom, Egypt, and Canaan were destroyed because they turned away from God. Now, Israel was facing judgment for doing the same.

What Are Today’s Idols?

They are everywhere. Wealth and success strongly tempt people. Seeking approval from others is another powerful trap. Of course, money is necessary to live, but Scripture warns: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10)

Money is just a tool; it has no power to save. Worshiping wealth or anything in this world is idolatry. Jesus taught His disciples: "You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

The Day of the Lord Almighty Will Come

10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty! 11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled, and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 12 The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled)" (Isaiah 2:10-12).

God speaks to Israel, who had turned away from Him and bowed to idols. He tells them to hide in the rocks and the dust because they cannot stand before His awesome presence. Since they fell into idol worship, they tremble in fear and terror. This is not the gentle, saving face of God they had known, but the righteous Judge who brings justice. The presence of the Lord brings both grace and judgment—it shelters the faithful but brings destruction to the wicked.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7). God alone deserves honor, glory, and worship. When the Lord God descended on Mount Sinai, thunder and lightning flashed, a thick cloud covered the mountain, and a loud trumpet blast made the Israelites tremble in fear (Exodus 19:16). Before coming near the mountain, they were commanded to purify themselves for three days, wash their clothes, and abstain from sexual relations (Exodus 19:14-15). Yet even with all their preparation, they could not help but shake in terror at God's overwhelming majesty.

"When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself, and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.' The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." (Exodus 20:18-21).

When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, suffering under oppression, God showed His power and mercy by delivering them. Egypt was struck with plagues after plagues, and the Egyptians trembled in fear at God’s mighty acts. But in Goshen, where the Israelites lived, God protected His people from judgment. He showed them how He punishes idol-worshiping nations.

Now, however, God has come to judge Israel itself. The proud will be humbled, and those who exalt themselves will be brought low. The Lord alone will be exalted. Israel, who had received God's grace but turned to idols, will be put to shame. Through this, God's holiness and justice will be revealed to all nations.

Yet, in His mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save those who were destined for destruction. Just as He sought Adam and Eve when they hid from Him after sinning, He covered their shame with garments of animal skins (Genesis 3:21). God placed the punishment we deserved upon His Son, and through Him, all who believe receive eternal life (John 3:16).

The Lord Alone Will Be Exalted

"The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan, for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship of Tarshish and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear." (Isaiah 2:13-18).

The Day of the Lord will bring judgment on all that is exalted and proud. Everything that the world boasts in and takes pride in will be brought down. The mighty will fall, and the Lord alone will be glorified. The things that people value so highly in this world, like Babel Tower, will be humiliated and stripped of their worth. But the kingdom of God will stand firm forever.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4).

In the ancient world, Babylon was a powerful empire that dominated vast lands and had a formidable military. Under King Nebuchadnezzar (605–562 BC), it reached its peak. After dreaming of a massive golden statue, he had a real golden image built and ordered everyone to worship it (Daniel 3:1). Later, he had another vision of a great and beautiful tree that was cut down, leaving only the stump. A heavenly messenger declared that the stump would have the mind of an animal and live in the wild for seven years (Daniel 4:15-16).

This prophecy was fulfilled. As Nebuchadnezzar walked on the roof of his palace, boasting of his power and the glory of Babylon, he was struck down. Before he even finished speaking, he was driven away from people, lived among the wild animals, ate grass like cattle, and his hair grew like eagles' feathers (Daniel 4:33). God did this to show that He alone grants power and authority. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Daniel 4:32). King Herod enjoyed the praise of the people, but because he did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:22-23)

Jesus also taught His disciples this truth: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:11).

Jesus, who is the Creator and the highest King, humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant (John 1:14). He bore the sins of the world, suffered, and died on the cross as a criminal. The Son of God became nothing (Philippians 2:7). But because of His humility and obedience, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place. He is now King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:9-11). God blesses the humble and the poor in spirit, giving them the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3).

The Lord Rises to Shake the Earth

19 People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth. 20 In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship. 21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth. 22 Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem? (Isaiah 2:19-22)

When the Lord rises to shake the earth, those who worshiped idols will run to hide in caves and underground shelters. They will throw away their gold and silver idols to the moles and bats, realizing they are utterly worthless. Those who relied on people and followed false gods will be ashamed before the King of kings and the Lord of lords. When God descended on Mount Sinai, the Israelites trembled in fear. How much more terrifying will it be when the Almighty shakes not only the earth but also the heavens?

26 At that time, His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:26-27)

But for us, the people of God, we do not need to shrink back in shame on that great and awesome day. We can stand before the Lord with joy, gratitude, and confidence—not because of our own righteousness, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

38 “My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:38-39)

Through the blood of Jesus, we have been justified. And for those whom God has declared righteous, there is no condemnation. This is why we can stand boldly before His throne of grace.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

2025. 2. 16.

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The Scripture quotations are from the NIV.