Scripture

Many 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. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  Isaiah 2.2- 4

Reflection

This vision of a peaceful future, where peoples and nations will live together in peaceful coexistence and where even training for warfare is abolished and weapons are turned into farming implements, feels very far away at this precise moment.

As we look back into history, we can see that many periods in the past were also marked by great uncertainty or worse. Even though we might not feel it, statistically the world has actually become a safer and more peaceful place.

But Isaiah’s vision is not only for peace, but also for a time when people will turn to God, eager to learn the right peaceful ways to live from Him and to ‘walk in his paths.’

As this week marks the start of Advent, the time when we are waiting; waiting for the birth of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, waiting for new life and new hope to be born in our hearts and in our world, maybe this vision of peace can give us sustenance.

Revd Ylva