Isaiah 2:12-16 - The Lord has a day in store for the proud

2:12

Nothing that is “proud and lofty” shall be allowed to stand forever. For a time they may seem to be lifted up, but this will only last for a time. Then they shall be brought low. We need to understand that judgement is essential to understanding God. We have such a liking for seeking to do away with judgement, we may even try and argue that judgement was just Old Testament, and that Jesus has done away with all that. Nothing could be further from the truth. Look at any book in the Old Testament, look at any book in the New Testament, including (indeed, especially) the gospels, and we see that judgement is an essential element of God’s dealings with the world, and is essential for our having a right understanding of the God and the world.

2:13-16

The wood mentioned here was high quality and represents the pride of man. Man builds high towers and fortified walls, thinking he is great and can protect himself against anything. He builds ships for trading and develops many beautiful crafts. There is nothing wrong in the trading or building itself, it is the heart that lies behind it, it is what man thinks it represents. Man thinks he is god, he thinks he is great in his own right, he thinks he is independent and in control. But the Lord has a day that is against all this pride.