Isaiah 2:2-4
“It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Yahweh’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion instruction shall go out, and Yahweh’s word from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations, and will arbitrate concerning many peoples. 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 any more.”
Isaiah, an 8th-century BCE prophet in Judah, spoke these words to a people facing political turmoil and spiritual complacency. This passage opens a section of his prophecy, looking beyond immediate troubles to a hopeful future for Jerusalem and the nations.
What does a vision of future peace and justice call us to do in our present circumstances?