Monday
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house 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. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.
(Micah 4:1-4, NIV)
This passage by the little-known prophet Micah is one of the most often quoted “peace pictures” in the Old Testament. Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, predicts God’s judgment against both Israel and Judah and yet holds out hope if the people will repent. He condemns the idolatry, injustice, and empty religious rituals of his people, but concludes that there is bright hope for God’s people.
Following his rebuke of Israel and Judah in chapters one to three, Micah describes the coming Kingdom of God in chapter four. Today’s verses depict what true shalom will be like when the Kingdom comes in its fullness. The prophet Micah helps us learn more about God’s desire for his people. When the Messiah comes, he will settle disputes among the nations and turn weapons of war into agricultural implements. War will end and all military academies for training soldiers will be closed.
Verse four vividly describes how each person will be secure and well fed. There will be no fear. Can you picture what a wonderful world it would be if people had no reason to be fearful?
Micah’s prophecy then describes the promised ruler from Bethlehem who “will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace” (5:4-5a).
Prayer
Lord of History, help us to be a people of hope, who can see past the struggles of our time to a future when your Kingdom will come in its fullness. Give us a vision for your peace so that we can be agents of your shalom in our broken world. Amen.