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
Isaiah already announces this marvelous happening! God's word, that is God's manner of being present with us, will come forth from Jerusalem, from the city of peace! And God's word is peace. This presence is one not of fear or anxiety but of mercy. Even God's word of judgment is not one of reprisal and punishment but a word that places all things in a right relationship to one another. One person does not triumph over another. One nation does not oppress another. Justice—equilibrium throughout creation and peoples—is established on earth. And our marvel is expressed by action: we lay down our weapons, our defenses. We tear down our walls, even those we build up within ourselves, and turn all things and all our energy towards building up community, tending the land and each other.
Prayer
God of peace, let your face shine upon all humanity so that we seek the good for one another. Amen.