Swords Hammered into Plowshares

Isaiah 2:4

And He will judge between the nations,

And will render decisions for many peoples;

And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation,

And never again will they learn war.

In this fallen world, we constantly reel from the impact of sin. Pestilence, famine, and death rock human existence in the temporal environment. Life on post-Eden earth is filled with sorrow and pain.

The side effects of man’s depravity are many, but perhaps the most graphic is war. It is not invisible, and we can see the destruction instantly…it leaves nothing to the dark side of human imagination. Military conflict is often the self-inflicted climax of various sinful deeds that occur over time. Nations fall victim to power and lusts that culminate in widespread carnage. Of course, the most recent example is the Russia-Ukraine war.

Obviously, we experience ongoing reminders that man is not capable of long-term or lasting peace. Despite treaties, constitutions, agreements, and gestures, conflict is inevitable. Our sinful nature prohibits order. And if we genuinely believe Scripture, we understand that human strife will build to a crescendo. However, our Lord will use human events to usher in an eternal peace.

The Prophet Isaiah offers us a glimpse of the promise that will arrive with Christ and His reign. Isaiah 2:2-4 tells us that the Lord will rule from Jerusalem (Zion). Christ, Himself, will lead with a benevolent power not experienced in history, and He will instruct all nations in His ways. Swords will be hammered into plowshares, and the earth will know productivity not enjoyed since the Garden of Eden.

After the millennial kingdom, Christ will ultimately bring everlasting tranquility and a new earth, treasures that human governance cannot obtain. We are unable to fathom the full scope of our future in Christ. Messiah and the prophets conveyed our hope with the simplicity of words; however, visualizing aspects of the time to come is only two-dimensional for our limited thought processes.

As believers struggle through this existence to reach eternity, let’s be reminded of our incomprehensible prize. Our yearning for Christ will be rewarded with His presence, love, and power. May we look past this suffering and conflict-torn world with excitement and anticipation. We have such great hope!

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Isaiah 2:2-4

Now it will come about that

In the last days

The mountain of the house of the LORD

Will be established as the chief of the mountains,

And will be raised above the hills;

And all the nations will stream to it.

And many peoples will 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 concerning His ways

And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

And He will judge between the nations,

And will render decisions for many peoples;

And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation,

And never again will they learn war.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

On the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness

From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Luke 1:31-33

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”