November 25, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

‘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.’” (Isaiah 2.1-2)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Compared to other mountain ranges, the Judean mountain range would fall just behind the Appalachians in average elevation for comparison. Jerusalem itself is surrounded by seven mountains, often called hills, of which Mount Zion is the tallest at near 3000 ft above sea level. Why would they be called “hills”? The difference would be that mountains, geographically speaking, are elevations exceeding 2000 ft above local elevation. Hills would be those which fall below it. We are often given to that bit of exaggeration of turning “mole hills into mountains.” However, the term “mountain” does not always speak to the elevation of the topography of the land but its importance. Castles and Temples are rarely built on the plains and flat areas. The purpose is visibility so that the people can see “who’s in charge.” References in scripture to mountains are often in this genre. And it doesn’t always mean holy and sacred to Israel. There are mountains used for shrines of other gods and sinister purposes, such as the Mount of Corruption, even in the history of Jerusalem. Bearing this in mind, we are able to discern the word given to Isaiah at the beginning of chapter 2. The “highest of the mountains” is most certainly not speaking geographically but graphically depicting the importance Jerusalem and the Temple will have in the scope of human history. God has chosen this place to be the central focus of His redemption ministry of the world. Some day, probably not before we are gathered in Heaven, we may learn why God chose that place in all of the world to be the hub of His mercy and grace. He called Abram and Sarai to leave their home in the Ur of the Chaldees and journey beyond his father’s house in Haran to go to that place “I have chosen.” Again, the “call of the chosen” is an indicator of not only meaning but purpose.

What is God saying? One of the vital interpretations for me is the comparative voice between greatness (size) and greatness (importance). Here we have, for example, a small nation [originally a family] put into a vulnerable position [Canaan] and called to be a people of the omnipotent God. Further, it was not God’s intent to rule and manipulate this “small” people in order to promote His own vastness. From out of the creation story itself, it is all of creation which is at the benefit of humanity. I liken it to the teaching from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus declares “Be perfect, as the Father in Heaven is perfect.” Perfection, really? Without flaw and thus powerful and uncontested. However, I do not think there is a reading of that verse which would promote “humans being perfect” by any means apart from God Himself making it so. Yet, if Christ said it is a possibility, then the possibility exists. But, how? My reading of this has always been in the context in which it was spoken. That context had to deal with prayer and the extension of forgiveness. In mercy and grace are we made perfect in the sight of God. It is by the grace given by God through Christ on the cross that our sins are forgiven and we are made the righteousness of God. In the teaching of Paul we hear “As in Adam all men died; so in Christ all shall live.” The impact of one person on a whole group is felt. So, it was with the teaching of Jesus on the place of greatness. Jesus said “If any among you desires to be great, let them become the servant of all.” The antithesis is clear. David, a small shepherd boy, was more mighty [because of his faith in God] than a giant warrior, Goliath [who mocked God.] David, small in stature, was a great king, in comparison, to Saul who stood a head taller than any in the land of Israel. One family obedient to God would become the parents of a great nation and that nation then the leader of the world in bringing glory to God. The lesser serving the greater.

What are we offered in these first verses of Isaiah, chapter 2? In the “last days” Mount Moriah, the Temple mount, would become the greatest “mountain” in all the world. In comparison, all the hills, the leaders of nations, would exalt it and thus honor God in their worship and service. Jerusalem, and Israel, would be the “light of the world” which God intended. It would be a leader in worship for all nations to come together in Jesus’ name as Lord and Savior. What a great witness against the enemy of God and humanity who is Satan. His refusal to serve because a sentence of damnation. Our acceptance to serve is a welcome into the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit in order that others be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind so we would know we are Your people and You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.