"In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

Isaiah 2:2-3

What is God’s vision? Here is a remarkable picture of what God aims to do ‘In the last days.’ Now fire is replaced by blessing. God establishes a rule which demonstrates his superiority. His temple, located on the highest mountain, is not overlooked or dominated by anything (v. 2). This mountain-top temple is not only a sign of greatness; there is also a teaching function. People stream to this place of pilgrimage, not as a site of historical interest but as a place of teaching and learning: a place to learn how to live well. The Lord is the attraction, his ability to judge right being the major draw (v. 4).

That is the future; what about now? The vision comes to an abrupt and jarring note in verse 6. The people who should be teaching the nations truth and sharing God’s peace are abandoned by God. Their lives are ‘full,’ but with all the wrong things – superstitions (v. 6), silver and gold (v. 7), horses and chariots (v. 7– effectively weapon systems!) and idols. Outward prosperity betrays inner emptiness. You can gain the entire world and still be defeated if you trust something or someone other than God (v. 22). A work of humbling is necessary (vv. 9–21). We live in a similar tension in a church that is the beautiful bride of Christ, yet too often displays the ugliness of abusive power and a reliance on our ingenuity and resourcefulness.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). May my values match the values of heaven.

(Edited from Encounter with God)