1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.

7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:

8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty.

11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,

15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,

16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

19 And 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.

20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The word - Or, the matter or thing, as this Hebrew word commonly signifies; the prophecy or vision.
McArther Bible Commentary
Chapters 2-5 comprise a single connected discourse.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 19:2 Isaiah 1:1

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
in the latter days. The latter (or last) days is a time designation looking forward to the messianic era (Eze 38:16; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1). The NT applied the expression to the period beginning with the first advent of Jesus Christ (Act 2:17; 2Ti 3:1; Heb 1:2; Jas 5:3; 2Pe 3:3). Old Testament prophets, being without a clear word regarding the time between the Messiah's two advents, linked the expression to the Messiah's return to establish His earthly kingdom, i.e., the millennial kingdom spoken about in Rev 20:1-10. the mountain of the Lord's house. The reference is to Mt. Zion, the location of the temple in Jerusalem. The expression occurs two other times in the OT (2Ch 33:15; Mic 4:1).
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 25:6 Isaiah 27:13 Isaiah 56:5 Isaiah 56:7 Isaiah 65:11 Isaiah 66:20 Jeremiah 16:19 Jeremiah 26:18 Jeremiah 31:12 Jeremiah 51:44 Ezekiel 40:2 Daniel 2:28 Daniel 2:35 Hosea 3:5 Micah 4:1 Zechariah 8:22 Zechariah 14:9 Zechariah 14:10

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
mountain of the Lord. Isaiah frequently calls Mt. Zion the "holy mountain" (Isa 11:9; Isa 27:13; Isa 56:7; Isa 57:13; Isa 65:11, Isa 65:25; Isa 66:20).
Bible Cross References
Luke 24:47 John 4:22 Deuteronomy 33:19 Psalm 48:1 Psalm 119:171 Psalm 122:1 Isaiah 28:9 Isaiah 51:4 Isaiah 51:5 Isaiah 56:5 Isaiah 56:7 Isaiah 60:3 Isaiah 65:11 Isaiah 66:20 Jeremiah 26:18 Jeremiah 31:6 Ezekiel 40:2 Hosea 3:5 Hosea 6:3 Micah 4:2

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
swords into plowshares … spears into pruning hooks. With the Messiah on His throne in Jerusalem, the world will enjoy uninterrupted peaceful conditions. Warfare will continue to characterize human history until the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6) returns to earth to put an end to it.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 46:9 Psalm 72:3 Psalm 72:7 Psalm 110:6 Isaiah 9:5 Isaiah 9:7 Isaiah 11:6 Isaiah 32:17 Isaiah 32:18 Isaiah 33:22 Isaiah 42:1 Hosea 2:18 Joel 3:10 Joel 3:12 Micah 4:3 Zechariah 9:10

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The light - Take heed that you do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will discern it.
Bible Cross References
1 John 1:5 1 John 1:7 Isaiah 58:1 Isaiah 60:1 Isaiah 60:2 Isaiah 60:19

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
After a glimpse of Judah's glorious future (Isa 2:1-5), the prophet returned to the present (second picture of Jerusalem) for a scathing rebuke of her idolatry and the judgment of God it evokes (cf. Isa 4:2-6).
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:17 1 Samuel 6:2 2 Kings 1:2 2 Kings 16:7 2 Kings 16:8 Proverbs 6:1 Isaiah 14:29 Jeremiah 12:7 Micah 5:12 Zephaniah 1:8

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Treasures - They have heaped up riches, and still are greedily pursuing after more.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:16 Isaiah 30:16 Isaiah 31:1 Isaiah 57:17 Micah 5:10

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
McArther Bible Commentary
full of idols. Jotham and Ahaz, two of the kings under whom Isaiah prophesied, failed to remove the idolatrous high places from the land (2Ki 15:35; 2Ki 16:4).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 16:7 Psalm 115:4 Isaiah 10:11 Isaiah 17:8 Isaiah 26:13 Isaiah 37:19 Isaiah 40:19 Isaiah 41:29 Isaiah 44:17 Jeremiah 1:16

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The conversion of the Gentiles, Description of the sinfulness of Israel.
The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but nothing answering to these expressions has yet taken place on the earth. Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those are in danger who please themselves with strangers to God; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep. It is not having silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but depending upon them, as if we could not be safe, and easy, and happy without them, and could not but be so with them. Sin is a disgrace to the poorest and the lowest. And though lands called Christian are not full of idols, in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? and are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, his truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised?
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The great man - Men of all ranks fall down and worship idols.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 4:5 Psalm 49:2 Psalm 59:5 Psalm 62:9 Isaiah 5:15 Jeremiah 18:23

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
This section pictures conditions during the future Day of the Lord. Though some elements of the description could fit what Judah experienced in the Babylonian captivity, the intensity of judgment predicted here could not have found fulfillment at that time. The tribulation period before Christ's return will be the time for these judgmental horrors.
Bible Cross References
2 Thessalonians 1:9 Revelation 6:15 Revelation 6:16 Job 40:13 Psalm 145:12 Isaiah 2:19 Isaiah 2:21 Isaiah 25:11 Jeremiah 13:9 Nahum 3:11

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
Bible Cross References
2 Corinthians 10:5 2 Thessalonians 1:10 2 Samuel 22:28 Psalm 18:27 Psalm 20:8 Psalm 46:10 Proverbs 30:13 Isaiah 5:15 Isaiah 5:16 Isaiah 13:11 Isaiah 23:9 Isaiah 30:18 Isaiah 37:23 Micah 2:3

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The day - The time of God's taking vengeance upon sinners.
McArther Bible Commentary
the day of the Lord. The uncontested phrase "Day of the Lord" appears nineteen times in the OT (Oba 1:15; Joe 1:15; Joe 2:1, Joe 2:11, Joe 2:31; Joe 3:14; Amo 5:18, Amo 5:20; Isa 2:12; Isa 13:6, Isa 13:9; Zep 1:7, Zep 1:14; Eze 13:5; Eze 30:3; Zec 14:1; Mal 4:5) and four times in the NT (Act 2:20; 1Th 5:2; 2Th 2:2; 2Pe 3:10) to express the time of God's extreme wrath. The Day of the Lord can refer to a near, future judgment (Eze 13:5; Eze 30:3) or a far, future judgment (Zec 14:1; 2Th 2:2). Two Day of the Lord expressions yet remain to be fulfilled: (1) at the end of Daniel's seventieth week (see Joe 3:14; Mal 4:5; 1Th 5:2) and (2) at the end of the millennium (see 2Pe 3:10). The Day of the Lord can occur through providential means (Eze 30:3) or directly at the hand of God (2Pe 3:10). At times, the near fulfillment (Joe 1:15) prefigures the far fulfillment (Joe 3:14); on other occasions, both kinds of fulfillment are included in one passage (Isa 13:6, Isa 13:9; Zeph Isa 1:7, Isa 1:14). Here, Isaiah looks to the far fulfillment at the end of the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer 30:7). See notes on Joe 1:15; 1Th 5:2.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 22:28 Job 24:1 Job 40:11 Job 40:12 Psalm 131:1 Isaiah 13:6 Isaiah 24:4 Isaiah 24:21 Isaiah 42:15 Isaiah 61:2 Jeremiah 30:7 Daniel 5:23 Micah 2:3 Micah 5:11 Zephaniah 1:16 Zephaniah 3:11 Malachi 4:1

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
cedars of Lebanon … oaks of Bashan. The cedars and oaks were objects of great admiration to people of OT times (Psa 92:12; Psa 104:16; Eze 27:6; Eze 31:3). Yet, even these impressive created objects would face destruction because of human rebellion.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 29:5 Isaiah 10:34 Isaiah 33:9 Ezekiel 27:6 Zechariah 11:2

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Hills - To which men used to betake themselves in times of danger.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 40:4 Isaiah 2:15

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Wall - To which you trusted for your defence.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 25:11 Isaiah 25:12

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
Bible Cross References
Revelation 8:9 1 Kings 10:22 Isaiah 2:17 Isaiah 23:1 Isaiah 23:14 Isaiah 60:9 Isaiah 66:19 Ezekiel 27:25

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 20:8 Psalm 46:10 Isaiah 2:16 Isaiah 2:18 Isaiah 5:16 Isaiah 30:18

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 2:17 Isaiah 21:9 Isaiah 46:1 Jeremiah 10:11 Ezekiel 30:13 Ezekiel 36:25 Micah 1:7 Micah 5:13

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
They - The idolatrous Israelites.
McArther Bible Commentary
holes of the rocks … caves of the earth. Rev 6:12, Rev 6:15-16 uses this passage and Isa 2:21 to describe man's flight from the terrors of tribulation during the period before Christ's personal return to earth. This shows that the final fulfillment of this prophecy will be during Daniel's seventieth week.
Bible Cross References
Luke 23:30 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Hebrews 12:26 Revelation 6:15 Job 9:6 Isaiah 2:10 Isaiah 2:21 Isaiah 7:19 Isaiah 13:13 Isaiah 24:1 Isaiah 24:18 Isaiah 24:19 Isaiah 33:10 Jeremiah 4:29 Jeremiah 48:28 Ezekiel 33:27 Hosea 10:8 Nahum 3:11 Haggai 2:6 Haggai 2:7

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Shall cast - Into the meanest and darkest places, in which moles and bats have their abode.
Bible Cross References
Luke 23:30 Leviticus 11:19 Isaiah 17:8 Isaiah 30:22 Isaiah 31:7 Isaiah 40:19 Ezekiel 7:19 Ezekiel 14:6 Ezekiel 36:25

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
Bible Cross References
Job 9:6 Isaiah 2:10 Isaiah 2:19 Isaiah 24:18 Isaiah 33:10 Jeremiah 16:16

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The awful punishment of unbelievers.
The taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans seems first meant here, when idolatry among the Jews was done away; but our thoughts are led forward to the destruction of all the enemies of Christ. It is folly for those who are pursued by the wrath of God, to think to hide or shelter themselves from it. The shaking of the earth will be terrible to those who set their affections on things of the earth. Men's haughtiness will be brought down, either by the grace of God convincing them of the evil of pride, or by the providence of God depriving them of all the things they were proud of. The day of the Lord shall be upon those things in which they put their confidence. Those who will not be reasoned out of their sins, sooner or later shall be frightened out of them. Covetous men make money their god; but the time will come when they will feel it as much their burden. This whole passage may be applied to the case of an awakened sinner, ready to leave all that his soul may be saved. The Jews were prone to rely on their heathen neighbours; but they are here called upon to cease from depending on mortal man. We are all prone to the same sin. Then let not man be your fear, let not him be your hope; but let your hope be in the Lord your God. Let us make this our great concern.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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?
McArther Bible Commentary
Sever yourselves. This calls readers to stop depending on other humans and to trust only in God, who alone is worthy.
Bible Cross References
James 4:14 Psalm 8:4 Psalm 144:3 Psalm 144:4 Psalm 146:3 Isaiah 40:15 Isaiah 40:17 Isaiah 51:12 Jeremiah 17:5 Malachi 3:15