9-28-18 Today in the Word

Today in the Word
September 2018
Spiritual Geography: Mountains and Valleys in Scripture
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD, PART 1
Friday, September 28, 2018 | Isaiah 2:1–5
In the north garden at the United Nations in New York City stands a sculpture entitled, “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares.” A gift from the former Soviet Union, this bronze artwork was created in 1957 by Evgeniy Vuchetich. It shows a blacksmith hammering a sword into a plow, “symbolizing man’s desire to put an end to war and convert the means of destruction into creative tools for the benefit of all mankind.”
This sculpture is based on the prophet Isaiah, especially verse 4 in today’s reading: “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.” This marvelous prophecy will be fulfilled when Christ establishes His kingdom after His Second Coming.
At that time, “The mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains” (v. 2). The “mountain of the Lord” or “Mount Zion” is Jerusalem. The nations will go there to learn about God, not merely out of intellectual curiosity but for the purpose of obedience (v. 3). This includes even the enemies who had attacked Jerusalem before Christ returned (see Zech. 14:16). He will rule, judge, and keep the peace with perfect justice (v. 4). “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord” (Isa. 11:9).
Another picture of this time is of a feast or a banquet. “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples” (Isa. 25:6). This is a banquet suitable for the coronation of the King and for the “wedding supper of the Lamb” (see Rev. 19:9). Death and sorrow will be no more. We will sing: “This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation” (Isa. 25:9; Rev. 19:7).
APPLY THE WORD
In light of these glorious truths, “let us walk in the light of theLord” (v. 5). Walking is a metaphor for living life. To walk in this way of the Lord means to love, worship, and obey Him now, as all the world will do one day. By doing so we become the “aroma of Christ” and bring glory to God (see 2 Cor. 2:14–15; 1 Peter 2:12).

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