Isaiah 2:22

Isaiah 2:22 (KJV) delivers a powerful and concise admonition, urging humanity to shift its ultimate reliance from fellow mortals to the divine. This verse serves as a culmination of the preceding warnings against human pride and idolatry, emphasizing the stark contrast between the fleeting nature of man and the eternal sovereignty of God.

Context of Isaiah 2:22

This verse concludes a section (Isaiah 2:6-21) where the prophet Isaiah vividly describes the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine judgment when God will humble all forms of human arrogance, self-sufficiency, and idolatry. The people of Judah, like many nations, were prone to trusting in their own strength, wealth, military alliances, or charismatic leaders rather than in God. The call to "Cease ye from man" is thus a direct challenge to the prevailing mindset of seeking security and significance in human endeavors rather than in the Almighty.

Key Themes and Messages

• Human Frailty and Mortality: The phrase "whose breath is in his nostrils" powerfully highlights the inherent fragility and temporary nature of human life. Our very existence is dependent on a breath, a gift from God, underscoring that we are not self-sufficient. This truth contrasts sharply with God's eternal and unchanging nature.
• Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Insignificance: The rhetorical question, "for wherein is he to be accounted of?", challenges the notion that man possesses any ultimate power, wisdom, or lasting help. It asserts that human beings, with all their limitations and mortality, are unworthy of ultimate trust or fear when compared to the infinite God. This theme resonates with the wisdom found in Psalm 146:3-4, which warns against putting trust in princes.
• A Call to Trust in God Alone: The core message is an imperative to turn away from reliance on human strength, wisdom, or resources and instead place complete faith and dependence on God. This is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, urging a return to covenant faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "breath" here is neshamah (נְשָׁמָה), which often refers to the "breath of life" that God imparts (as in Genesis 2:7). This emphasizes that man's very existence is a gift and constantly sustained by God, making any ultimate reliance on man inherently misplaced. The phrase "accounted of" comes from the Hebrew root chashav (חָשַׁב), meaning to reckon, consider, or value. The question implies that from an eternal perspective, man holds no ultimate value or power that would warrant absolute trust.

Practical Application

Isaiah 2:22 remains profoundly relevant today. In a world that often places immense value on human achievements, fame, power, and intellect, this verse serves as a vital reminder:

• Evaluate Your Trust: Where do we place our ultimate confidence? Is it in political leaders, financial security, scientific advancements, social status, or even our own abilities? This verse challenges us to recognize the limitations of all human constructs and individuals.
• Freedom from Fear of Man: When we truly understand that man's breath is fleeting, the fear of man's opinion, disapproval, or power diminishes. Our ultimate accountability is to God alone.
• Humility and Dependence: It fosters humility, reminding us of our own mortality and dependence on God for every breath. This leads to a healthier, more God-centered perspective on life and its challenges. The Bible consistently teaches the importance of trusting in the Lord and not putting confidence in man, as seen in Jeremiah 17:5-8.

Ultimately, Isaiah 2:22 is a timeless call to worship and rely on the Creator rather than the created, finding true security and meaning in God alone.