Contemplative Bible Reading

Isaiah 2:4 (English Standard Version)

He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
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 anymore.

The prophet Isaiah is relaying words from Jehovah, the God who created all. That is the one true God worshiped by Isaiah’s people.

In a time in the future, things will be different. The nations will come to Jerusalem to hear the Word of Jehovah and learn how to live and worship. Jehovah will render judgements among the nations, i.e., Jehovah will settle their disputes with wisdom and peace.

The nations will not fight to settle disputes. They will listen and obey. Their implements of war will be turned to agriculture and other endeavors that benefit all their people. War will become a thing of the past. They won’t learn how to fight. Imagine, they will forget how to fight wars and won’t study the art of war any longer.

The Word of Jehovah brings this. What’s your problem? Oh, that. Here is what you do. Huh? That simple? Yes, that simple.

“All I have to do…” is listen. And listen to the voice of Jehovah. Not to those other voices that are ringing in my head.

I guess this simple thing is too difficult for me. Please God, help me to listen.