Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Isaiah Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting Isaiah 2:1-22
2:1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2:2And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 2:3And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, 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 Jehovah from Jerusalem. 2:4And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.
2:6For thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they are filled with customs from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners. 2:7And their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land also is full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots. 2:8Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. 2:9And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is brought low: therefore forgive them not.
2:10Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty. 2:11The lofty looks of man shall be brought low, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day. 2:12For there shall be a day of Jehovah of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty, and upon all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low; 2:13and upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, 2:14and upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 2:15and upon every lofty tower, and upon every fortified wall, 2:16and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant imagery. 2:17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day. 2:18And the idols shall utterly pass away. 2:19And men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake mightily the earth. 2:20In that day men shall cast away their idols of silver, and their idols of gold, which have been made for them to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 2:21to go into the caverns of the rocks, and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake mightily the earth. 2:22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?
October 21, 1923: Isaiah 2:2-4
What is the meaning of the prophecy given in Isaiah? The mountain of Jehovah, which is to be “established on the top of the mountains” and “exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it,” represents that high spiritual consciousness which finally comes to one who affirms: “I am established in Christ understanding; I am spiritual life.”
What is the meaning of verse 4, chapter 2, in which is described the transformation of instruments of war into implements of peace? When we think of war we image destructive thoughts and destructive instruments to execute these thoughts. The thoughts of destruction lay hold of the inventive mind of man and a multitude of destructive instruments result. On the other hand, thoughts of peace become constructive agents, transforming the thoughts both within and without, and redeeming the whole earth from war.
November 10, 1929: Isaiah 2:2-4
What is meant by the “latter days,” in which “the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains?” The “latter days” represent the mature development of spiritual consciousness in the soul, and “the mountain of Jehovah's house” represents its highest state of consciousness in the body temple, the top brain. This mount of the Lord is the source of light for all nations. Jesus, for example, is represented as going up into the mountain, where He was transfigured by Spirit.
What will be the final conditions on the earth, when righteousness and Truth are expressed by man? When righteousness and Truth are expressed by man, there will no longer be any destruction of life. Even the venomous serpents will become friendly and “they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.”
June 29, 1947: Isaiah 2:2-4
What else may throw light on our path? Individual experience and the experience of the race studied in the light of cause and effect all help.
Is the Bible an unerring guide to Truth? The Bible does not contain all of Truth, but it contains such a wealth of principles of the moral law and of the law of life that it is an invaluable guide to right living. Insofar as it makes manifest the great principles of divine law, it is an unerring guide.
Does the reading of the Bible in the proper spirit open our mind to original inspiration? It does. Communing, as the reverent reader of the Bible does, with the inspired thinkers who wrote the various books of the Bible arouses original inspiration or Truth direct from the fountainhead, Spirit.
Can we gain understanding from a study of the past as well as from a vision of the present and the future? Since we are immersed in an ocean of universal thought, which is timeless, we should take inspiration from past, present, and future impartially. Truth is to be found everywhere.
What will bring peace on earth? The understanding and practice of Jesus Christ's teachings.
When will the prophecy of Isaiah that “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” be fulfilled? When we practice justice, mercy, kindness, and humility (do justly, love kindness and walk humbly with our God. In other words, when Christ is reborn in our hearts and we are willing to live the life of Christ-likeness.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-08-2013
