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ZION TRADITION – Clearly, this prophecy draws on Jerusalem’s
Zion tradition. The nations will come to Zion seeking "instruction, and the word of
the LORD." I share the concern that I
notice the NIB commentator has concerning such Zionist passages:
. . . At least two problems arise in
considering the promise of world peace. The first concerns its center. Is there an
implicit nationalism in the expectation that all nations will come to Zion and will
acknowledge Jerusalem’s God? Does international peace require the recognition of a
common and central authority? This is just what many people fear, and always have feared:
that one’s own individual or national self-interest would be subordinated to that of
the common good of the world community. There is no easy or simple resolution of this
issue, but reading this text may be enough to provoke reflection on the difference between
patriotism and chauvinism. Isaiah 2:2-4 realistically expects conflicts, differences, and
competing claims to continue. The difference in the new age is that they will be resolved
peacefully. But that can happen only on the basis of some commonly accepted principles
that transcend individual or national self-interest. Yes, peace requires compromise, even
in the reign of God. [1]
ON THE OTHER HAND –This passage carries the power of
expectation and yearning, and it kindles hope. International peace may not come, even as
we visualize it and hope for it; wishing, and even praying for it will not necessarily
make it happen. But it certainly will not come unless we imagine it, unless we believe and
articulate the vision that God wills the end of war. We can make our down payment for
peace today. [2]
connections
I you put Isaiah 2 down and took up pen and paper, what would
your vision look like for a better world? Who would be in your vision? Anyone outside your
new world? What services and programs would be in place to ensure care of those in need?
How could participate now in Isaiah’s vision of a peaceable world? Recently a
group from our congregation began to promote prayer-walking. We walk through new housing
areas, through aging neighborhoods and silently lift our part of the city before God for
peace and safety, for those who inhabit the houses we pass, for confusion of drug dealers
and end to the violence that perplexes and stymies our best enforcement agencies. Added to
our social outreach, this prayer project has truly provided a new avenue through which to
participate in Isaiah’s vision.
gambits
The following are reflections that might spur a thought or an
idea that could grow into a homily on this passage . . .
The second part of this lesson is one of the most memorable and famous lines in
literature—used by politicians, clergy, speechwriters, peacemakers, diplomats, and
military generals. It is in its own right a magnificent piece. Why? Perhaps it expresses
all of our deepest yearnings—for a safe earth, a worshiping earth, a world of peace
and justice.
Notice that there is no specific claim of prophetic authority; no "the word of the
LORD came to ________" or "The LORD spoke to ________ saying . . ." But it
certainly reflects the prophetic posture of telling out what God is about to do in the
immediate or distant future.
The passage also occurs in Micah 4, especially the instruction of God that goes from
Zion to the ends of the earth and the part about plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.
The saying probably predates both Isaiah and Micah; it certainly is anonymous.
I have on my desk a document personally delivered to me by Dr. John Logue. This man
crusades for an idea that he believes will result in a better, Isaiah-two-kind-of-world.
As the self-proclaimed "President of the World Federalist Association," [3] John
advocates for world peace through a one world government. He envisions a federal global
government that has the power to keep the peace, to tax and promote economic and social
justice, democracy and a healthy world environment. Enforcement of such a world government
may be a problem. A professor from Villanova University who heard him speak at the forum
that I attended said to the audience when it was his turn to lecture, "John has a
great vision for the future of our world . . . but he’s a dreamer; this cannot
possibly be realized until at least the end of the 22nd century or later."
Thank God for prophetic dreamers of the future anticipated in Isaiah 2!
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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible VI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001), page 69.
[2] Ibid., page 70.
[3] World Federalist Association, 620 Yale Avenue,
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
19081 / (610)
543-4968.
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