Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Verse 2In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Verse 3Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Verse 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Verse 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Devotion
The imagery of “beating swords into plowshares” depicts the symbolic transformation of destructive weaponry into tools for peace and agriculture. The phrase is also found in Micah 4:3. If only we could turn our tools of war and destruction into tools for peace and sustenance. Isn’t the popular saying, “Whoever dies with the most toys (weapons) wins.” Yet the one who dies with the most toys (weapons) is still dead! We need a hopeful future where war ceases, and resources and human effort are directed towards peaceful, constructive, and life-affirming activities—feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, educating all children about the fullness of a peaceful life. When we go up to the mountain of the Lord and learn the ways of peace and love, we can go down into the valley and share them with others. We can be peacemakers and be the change we want to see in the world.
Prayer
O Prince of Peace, please touch our hearts and minds with your divine peace and grace. Make us strive for things that build up instead of tear down. Bring this world to a place of peace and rest. Amen.
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