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Alas, while the call was to walk in the light, the people of Judah have abandoned the light of God. Instead of relying on Yahweh, they have looked to foreign powers for their aid. With the aid has come the corresponding superstitions and religious practices of those countries.
In this chapter we see a dramatic and powerful display of the literary prowess of the prophet. Note how he plays on the theme of elevation and being brought low to the ground and even below the ground (v.10). This alternating relationship is summarized in v.11: “The pride of men [will be] brought low; [and] the Lord alone will be exalted.”
The Lord’s Day of Judgment will be the great reversal. All that is currently exalted through pride will be humbled, and God alone will be lifted up. The artist conveys his image with particular force by references to the lofty cedars of Lebanon, the oaks of Bashan, towering mountains, lofty towers, and trading ships (vv.13-16). Then again, the refrain is repeated: Man in his arrogant pride will be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted.
When God comes forth in judgment, arrogant men will simply be disposed of (vv.19-22). Therefore, the prophet concludes, why trust these foreign powers who are ever so transitory when you can trust in Almighty God? (This is the heart of Isaiah’s contention with Ahaz in ch. 7.)