Isaiah 2:5

House of Jacob. At the time the prophet Isaiah bore this message the northern kingdom, the ten tribes, had not yet gone into captivity. Although Isaiah’s messages were addressed primarily to the people of Judah and Jerusalem (see on ch. 1:1), his appeal to “walk in the light of the Lord” is here extended to all twelve tribes. Though the apostasy of the northern kingdom was all but complete, divine mercy still appealed to Israel to turn to God ere the day of salvation should pass.

Let us walk. The glorious prospect in store for Israel, envisioned in vs. 1-4, inspired the prophet to a stirring appeal to “walk in the light of the Lord.” He who has caught a vision of what God has in store for those who love and serve Him can no longer be content with ordinary achievements.

Obedience to known duty is the only valid evidence of the sincerity of a professed acceptance of God’s offer of mercy. Indeed, a profession of faith unaccompanied by the works of obedience is declared “dead” (James 2:26). Those who hear the word of the Lord but neglect to do it are said to be like a man who builds his house upon shifting sand (Matt. 7:26,27).

Light of the Lord. That is, the light of truth that the Lord has graciously sent by His servants the prophets. In Isaiah’s day this was the light of salvation in the promised Messiah, who, when He came, declared Himself to be “the light of the world” (see on John 8:12). He was “the true Light,” “the light of men” (John 1:9, 4). Compare our Lord’s earnest appeal to the leaders of Israel in His day to walk in the light while the light was still in their midst (John 12:35, 36; cf. John 1:9–12).