When God Is Not Part Of Your Plans - Isaiah 2:1-4:1

What happens when we leave God out of our plans and exalt ourselves instead? In this study of Isaiah 2–4, Pastor Tim Hatch shows how human pride sets us on a collision course with God—and how the answer isn't trying harder, but letting God lead. Welcome to Episode 2 of The First Gospel: Knowing Jesus Through the Prophecies of Isaiah, a 40-episode Deep Dive Bible Study exploring the ancient prophecies of Isaiah and how they point to Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 2:1–4:1, Isaiah lifts our eyes to the mountain of the Lord, where one day the nations will stream to worship and "beat their swords into plowshares." But Judah was living the opposite story—prosperous, self-reliant, full of idols and foreign alliances, leaving God out of their plans. Isaiah warns of the Day of the Lord, when everything proud and lofty will be brought low and "the Lord alone will be exalted." Chapters 3 and 4 trace the collapse that follows self-rule—and then the hope that remains: the Branch of the Lord, a holy remnant, and God's promise to shelter and lead His people once again. In this episode, discover: • Why leaving God out of our plans is the root of so much of our brokenness. • What the "mountain of the Lord" reveals about God's ultimate purpose for the nations. • How the Day of the Lord exposes and humbles human pride. • Why prosperity and self-sufficiency can quietly push God to the margins. • What the "Branch of the Lord" in Isaiah 4 points to—and how it leads us to Jesus. • How God's promise to lead His people frees us from the exhausting work of leading ourselves. Isaiah calls us to stop exalting our own plans and let God lead—because the God who humbles the proud is the same God who shelters and restores a remnant. 📖 SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 2:1–4:1 (ESV) 📘 GET THE FIRST GOSPEL COMPANION JOURNAL Deepen your study of Isaiah with the companion devotional and journal, featuring Scripture readings, reflection questions, and space for personal prayer. https://timhatchlive.com/books ▶️ ABOUT THE FIRST GOSPEL Join Pastor Tim Hatch for a 40-episode Bible study through Isaiah. Explore the historical context, biblical prophecy, the coming Messiah, the Suffering Servant, and God's promises of salvation as we discover Jesus throughout the Old Testament. Subscribe to Tim Hatch Live for more Deep Dive Bible Studies and biblical teaching. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Isaiah 2–4 challenges us to stop exalting our own plans and let God lead. Where is God inviting you to trust His leadership instead of your own? Share your thoughts in the comments! 📌 More Resources: 🔵 Website: https://TimHatchLive.com 🔵 Join our membership community: patreon.com/timhatchlive 🔵 Get Pastor Tim's book: https://EndingEmptiness.com 📲 Follow on Social: 🔵 Facebook: / timhatchlive 🔵 Instagram: / timhatchlive 🔵 X/Twitter: / timhatchlive 🔵 YouTube: / timhatchlive ✅ Our Podcasts: 🔵 The Deep End – Weekly faith, politics, and culture. Mondays 3:30 PM EST. 🔵 Deep Dive Bible Study – Devotional teaching. Thursdays 5 PM EST. 🔵 10 Questions with Tim – Live Q&A. First Thursdays at Noon EST. 👉 Ask Anything: [email protected] 💥 Partner with us: https://timhatchlive.com/support ✳ 20% of all giving is tithed back to The American Bible Society and Project Rescue. ✅ Watch More: https://timhatchlive.com ✅ Books & Swag: https://store.timhatchlive.com ✅ Rumble: https://timhatchlive.com/rumble