a. The glorious distant future (2:1-5)

The phrase “in the last days” is an expression used by the prophets to refer to an unspecified future time. While some commentators suggest that it is an apocalyptic phrase referring to the new age at the end of history, it seems for Isaiah to refer to a time within history. As we shall see, throughout this book the prophet is consistent in seeing God’s activity as occurring within history. His vision of the future is eschatological rather than apocalyptic in tone.

The Hebrew people were a people of irrepressible hope. In the midst of devastation the prophet is able to see a day when God’s design for his people will indeed come to pass. These verses find their parallel in Mic 4:1-3. The mountain of God, that is, Mount Zion, the place of Jerusalem and the temple, will be exalted, and the peoples of the earth will be drawn to it. God’s law will reign supreme, and there will be an era of peace. He ends the vision with a call to his people to walk in the light of the Lord.