ISAIAH 2:12-22 “For the day of Jehovah of hosts (will be) against all the proud and lofty ones; and against all that is lifted, and it will be abased [on the grounds that they have placed their trust in that which is deceptive and empty]; and against all the high and lifted up cedars [lofty leaders from the rich pasture land] of Lebanon [who defiantly disregard God, to place their trust in that which is false]…”
Cedar Trees.- Human self-expatiation and arrogance is illustrated by the proud and lofty trees: “all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan”. The qualities symbolized by trees- strength, power, glory, wealth, honor- are the very qualities that are easily abused by sinful rebellious humanity. So it is no surprise to find that this dark side of humanity, and all the consequences flowing from it, should be readily portrayed through the figure of the tree.
Barnes Commentary.- This is a beautiful specimen of the poetic manner of writing, so common among the Hebrews, where spiritual and moral subjects are represented by grand or beautiful imagery taken from objects of nature. Mount Lebanon bounded Palestine on the north. It was formerly much celebrated for its large and lofty cedars. These cedars were from thirty-five to forty feet in girth, and very high.
Young Commentary.- Isaiah now begins to enumerate the objects which will be affected by the divine judgment. In so doing he seeks to give specimens of these things upon which the judgment will fall, and does not merely mention them as symbols of the type of object that will perish. Nor does he use these terms in a metaphorical sense to designate or to signify the leaders of the nation. The things mentioned will themselves feel the punishing hand of God. All nature is bound up with man in one common history; in every sense of the word this is a fallen creation, and because of man’s sin, nature must suffer.
Cedar Trees.- Human self-expatiation and arrogance is illustrated by the proud and lofty trees: “all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan”. The qualities symbolized by trees- strength, power, glory, wealth, honor- are the very qualities that are easily abused by sinful rebellious humanity. So it is no surprise to find that this dark side of humanity, and all the consequences flowing from it, should be readily portrayed through the figure of the tree.
Barnes Commentary.- This is a beautiful specimen of the poetic manner of writing, so common among the Hebrews, where spiritual and moral subjects are represented by grand or beautiful imagery taken from objects of nature. Mount Lebanon bounded Palestine on the north. It was formerly much celebrated for its large and lofty cedars. These cedars were from thirty-five to forty feet in girth, and very high.
Young Commentary.- Isaiah now begins to enumerate the objects which will be affected by the divine judgment. In so doing he seeks to give specimens of these things upon which the judgment will fall, and does not merely mention them as symbols of the type of object that will perish. Nor does he use these terms in a metaphorical sense to designate or to signify the leaders of the nation. The things mentioned will themselves feel the punishing hand of God. All nature is bound up with man in one common history; in every sense of the word this is a fallen creation, and because of man’s sin, nature must suffer.
Cedars of the Lord.- Cedars are among the last survivors of the immense forests that lay across Mount Lebanon in ancient times. The most famous cedar forest is the one located in North Lebanon and also known as the Cedars of the Lord.
The citizens of ancient Tyre and Sidon used “Cedars of Lebanon” to build houses and fashion masts of their ships. From Lebanon’s cedar forests, King Solomon got the timber to build his temple and palace in Jerusalem, which the Egyptian Pharaohs used the wood to carve their sarcophagi (stone coffins) and sun-ships (crafting thought to resemble the Sun in radiance). Also, Phoenicians and Greeks used its wood through the centuries in their homes, temples, sarcophagi, and galleys.
Corporate Unity of Man with God
HOSEA 14:9 “’I (Jehovah) am as a green cypress. From Me your fruit [the state of bearing a tree of like kind] is found [viewed in a word to be the doing of “judgment” for the maintenance of righteousness].”
Cedars of Lenanon
Young Commentary.- These cedars were particularly admired by the Jews of Old Testament time. The cedar was used by Solomon in the building of the Temple at Jerusalem; it was also used in the building of the second Temple. The trunk of the cedar was employed for masts of ships. The cedar is conifer (cone-bearing tree), having large cones, and also evergreen leaves which do not fall off in the wintertime. Lebanon is used in the Bible as a symbol of beauty.
(Continuing Isaiah 2:12-22) Verse 12 “For the day of Jehovah of hosts (will be) against all the proud and lofty ones; and against all that is lifted, and it will be abased [on the grounds that they have placed their trust in that which is deceptive and empty]; and against all the high and lifted up cedars [lofty leaders from the rich pasture land] of Lebanon [who defiantly disregard God, to place their trust in that which is false]; and against all the oaks of Bashan…”
“However high the independent endeavors or celebrated pasture lands of mortal man, they shall be humbled- for the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
Mighty trees of Bashan– Bashan is the region south of Damascus, east of the Jordan River. The oaks of this district were apparently quite famous, as were also the pastures and flocks. The cedars and oaks were notable specimens of trees, and the point of the verse is that these things, which to men seemed to be high and lifted up, would in the judgment of God become low. [Because of man’s sin (equated to rebelling against Jehovah through self-deceit, or placing their trust in that which is false) even the great and beautiful things of creation were to be “humbled”.]
(Continuing Isaiah 2:12-22) Verse 14 “…and (the day of Jehovah of hosts will be against) all the high mountains [places of strength and trust]; and against all the lifted up hills [unlawful illicit sites of worship]; and against every tall tower; and against every fortified wall; and against all the ships of Tarshish; and against all the desirable craft.”
Tall Towers.- Although in literature generally the tower can be an image of intellectual contemplation and spiritual aspiration, the fifty references to towers in the Bible are virtually all to parts of a military fortress. The main exception is the tower of Babel, which is less a defensive structure than a symbol of human aspiration beyond the limits God has imposed on the human race. In the Bible we mainly find literal reference to such towers, which occasionally become metaphoric for God and the protection that believers find in Him.
PSALM 11:3-7 “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Verse 4 “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”
“However high the independent endeavors or celebrated pasture lands of mortal man, they shall be humbled- for the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
Mighty trees of Bashan– Bashan is the region south of Damascus, east of the Jordan River. The oaks of this district were apparently quite famous, as were also the pastures and flocks. The cedars and oaks were notable specimens of trees, and the point of the verse is that these things, which to men seemed to be high and lifted up, would in the judgment of God become low. [Because of man’s sin (equated to rebelling against Jehovah through self-deceit, or placing their trust in that which is false) even the great and beautiful things of creation were to be “humbled”.]
(Continuing Isaiah 2:12-22) Verse 14 “…and (the day of Jehovah of hosts will be against) all the high mountains [places of strength and trust]; and against all the lifted up hills [unlawful illicit sites of worship]; and against every tall tower; and against every fortified wall; and against all the ships of Tarshish; and against all the desirable craft.”
Tall Towers.- Although in literature generally the tower can be an image of intellectual contemplation and spiritual aspiration, the fifty references to towers in the Bible are virtually all to parts of a military fortress. The main exception is the tower of Babel, which is less a defensive structure than a symbol of human aspiration beyond the limits God has imposed on the human race. In the Bible we mainly find literal reference to such towers, which occasionally become metaphoric for God and the protection that believers find in Him.
PSALM 11:3-7 “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Verse 4 “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”
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