Isaiah 2:13
13 And upon all the cedars ['erez] of Lebanon, [Labanown] that
are high [ruwm] and lifted up, [nasa'] and upon all the oaks ['allown] of Bashan, [Bashan]KJV-Interlinear
13 And
it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up,
Against all the oaks of Bashan, NASB
Lebanon borders Israel on
the north. Bashan borders Israel to the
east.
Bashan was bordered on
the west by the Jordan River, Gilead was to its north, and the Jabbok river was
on its southern border.
Both respective regions
were noted by their beautiful trees. Lebanon
for its cedars and Bashan for its oaks.
Bashon was primarily noted
for its huge grasslands and cattle industry, but it also has huge oaks worthy
of note, Num 21:33; 32:33; Ps 22:12; Ezek 39:18; Amos 4:1; Mic 7:14. Its lofty
oaks are also particularly celebrated; Ezek 27:6; Amos 2:9; Zech 11:2.
Back in Isaiah’s day and
prior to that, the cedars of Lebanon were huge, measuring 30 to 40 feet in circumference
(10-13 meters), and were very tall trees.
They were used in the construction of the Temple of Diana in Ephesus,
and many cedars were used in the Temple of Solomon. Today these huge cedars hardly exist, as
opposed to the huge forests that existed back in Solomon's day.
To look at them was to
place the viewer in awe. Much like the giant
red woods of northern California.
Anyway, these trees were
huge and beautiful.
This is the symbolism of
the arrogance of a negative people. They
view their arrogance and self opinions as wise and beyond intelligence, above
all other opinions and philosophies.
Even above truth.
But of course spiritually
dysfunctional people believe that their beliefs and opinions are truth, which they
are not.
But as the trees were
viewed as beautiful and permanent and unmovable, so too were their beliefs and
attitudes.
Wicked people think and
even overthink, highly of themselves.
But obviously today those
huge trees do not exist. Where did they
go? Well, wars and logging and forest
fires and general use made them go away. In other words, the common day to day
activities of history caused them to disappear.
And so the opinions of humanity will one day disappear as their
usefulness will not be able to withstand the truth or wrath of God.
The arrogance of man is
no stronger than a tree that has been cut down and used in a fireplace or in some
form of construction. Construction that
deteriorated over time, and no longer exists.
This verse continues the
concept of the finality of and the judgment of, evil, regardless of what it
thinks of itself.
And evil thinks very
highly of itself, but it will one day, come to an end.
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