Isaiah 2:4 and he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and 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.
Swords into plowshares-I believe it’s written at the UN building. In context verse 4 is a wonderful picture of prophecy which seems almost too good to be true. We’ve never seen a time of real peace, not since Adam and Eve sinned. There is no peace YET.
In this world system peace seems unlikely. As long as there is evil there will be conflict. We see wars and hear of rumors of wars. It will take a new world system to bring that peace on earth and it is in verses 1-3 that we read about it. Its coming and we must be ready.
Isaiah 4:1-the word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
I watched the fireworks and how they lit up the sky and made all the noises they make. It came to my mind that amidst the battle of the British and Americans that Francis Scott Key wrote “and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air.” The flashing and thundering of the fireworks called to my remembrance that in order for us to enjoy being Americans there were fireworks of rifles and cannons. This was the battle to preserve our nation, to defend our freedom. Otherwise we may not have fireworks celebration on July 4th.
We’re still under threat. When those who are now our enemies stop, someone or something else will come. We cannot do anything about what is against our nation. Now we see the same thing in our neighborhoods and families. This is a lawless time. We have to lock our doors and keep watch to walk from the parking lot into the stores. They want what we have; some just want to kill.
Some conflicts are necessary such as defending ourselves. Some are unnecessary. With everything that is going on in the world, we don’t need to add to it. There is more depression, more dissatisfaction, and feeling of loss than ever. There is a struggle within us. There is no reason we can’t have peace even in the midst of all that goes on. There is peace in the Lord.
Some weapons should already be plowshares. Some spears should already be pruning hooks. If there is ever peace it will be in the Lord. Before the end comes and brings peace, we can still have peace. Don’t use weapons against ourselves. Love and pray for each other. Move together as one. Have love and loyalty to our country; that same love for each other will give us the victory. With the belief and trust in the Lord we have peace. Wherever Jesus is there is peace. The more we love each other, the more peace we have. It is up to us.
A sword cuts and slices. It can be beaten and shaped for planting. We all have the potential for destruction and harm, or we can choose to bless and work together in order to build for God. We can use the sword to slice each other with our tongues and by our ways. We can use our talents like swords or turn all of these into the blessing of a plowshare. A spear jabs and stabs at the enemy. It can even be used on oneself. One of the greatest sins of today is coveting. Some will spear anyone who gets in their way to success. Church is what we make it. It depends on us.
Just as a sword can be a plowshare, a spear can be a pruning hook. A plow is used to plant; a pruning hook is used to harvest. We can reap the harvest of blessing if we plant the seeds we should. There should be no conflict between us and God. We should have no aught against each other. Maybe you have family trouble. The greatest weapon against Satan is love. We can take what trouble we want and run with it or we can say like Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
It’s up to us to turn our swords into plowshares and our spears to pruning hooks. It takes work. America? We can’t predict the future. The problems of our country and what is within the borders of other nations should not worry us as much as what is in the borders of our own heart. We have to settle that.
It’s time to beat the swords into plowshares. It’s time to beat the spears into pruning hooks. Only we can, with the members of our bodies, turn our weapons of potential destruction into tools of purposeful construction. Is this possible? With God all things are possible. The words of a Christmas song come to mind. “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony. Let there be peace on earth, let this be the moment now. Let this be the moment now. Let there be peace on earth. Let this be my solemn vow, to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
What about it?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 