Bombs or Broccoli?
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, open my eyes and enlighten me now so that I might see wonderful things in Your Word.
Read Isaiah 2:1-5
[1] This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: [2] In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. [3] Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [4] He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. [5] Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What picture of God do you see here?From yesterday’s oracle of terrible destruction we turn to the vision of a restored Jerusalem and a world at peace. If the vision of an angry God appalls us, the vision of a world at peace might amuse us with its naiveté. Surely, we say, war, like the poor, will always be with us. The prophet insists that the day will come when humankind will look to God’s people for instruction and their disputes will be negotiated, not by armed conflict, but by God’s Word. Such a vision is intended to galvanize our energies towards two great Gospel imperatives: world mission and global peace and justice. These are companions in the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, who is the great teacher (3), is also the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), and it is no wonder that among his followers have been the most committed of workers for peace. When people are living by God’s instruction, then there is no need to learn war (4). In a world that will soon need to produce half again as much food as at present, it’s plows we shall need, not bullets; irrigation, not bombs. The vision of Isaiah gives us hope to work towards such a world.
Apply
How are you working for peace in your nation and the world? How might you help others do so?
Closing prayer
Lord, may Your kingdom of peace come on earth, as it is in heaven. Show me my part in that.
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