Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Isaiah Chapter 2and verse 4 – “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshare and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.”
The second half of this verse is engraved into the wall outside the United Nation Headquarters in New York. Why not the whole verse?
Verse 1 – This is what Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. This man of God - this prophet - this mouthpiece for God - sees what God reveals and he speaks about it - and writes it down - for all to read and learn and know.
Isaiah preaches what God reveals - some of it is exciting - some of it deals with judgement facing the nation.
Sometimes the prophets look at Israel with a microscope - pointing out their sins, faults and failings - which at times were serious.
At other times the prophets saw a glorious day coming - and that is the content of these verses in Isaiah Chapter 2 .
It is as if here Isaiah is using a telescope - and he sees something afar off - at least two and a half thousand years away - because what we are reading of here has not yet happened.
But we can read of what is yet to happen - and we never know how soon that will be.
Isaiah sees this prophetic picture of what is yet to happen – Isaiah sees a mountain that is going to rise higher than the others – and this literally means - "to split open" or - "to cleave through and expose".
The vision which God gave Isaiah allowed him to see into - and get beyond the surface and the superficial - to the real nature of the situation.
Now - what Isaiah sees is remarkable - World Peace and Disarmament!
Many of the problems with which our world leaders and presidents and politicians are presently grappling - Isaiah sees the solution in this vision from God. Here we are reading of a vision concerning the last days - this has yet to take place.
We learn something of the significance of Israel - and Jerusalem in particular.
God's intention is to teach all people His Ways - so that they may walk in His Paths.
Isaiah sees a range of mountains - the hills and mountains of Judea - with Jerusalem in the centre - and one mountain that was comparatively low is now higher. It rises and stands above the others. The mountain on which the Temple stands can now be seen - high and lifted up - it is above all the other mountains. It is as if this mountain grows. The Temple of God is lifted up for all to see - and a river of humanity is flowing to this mountain
Isaiah is seeing something which is going to happen in the future - and he sees it clearly. Isaiah see Gentiles seeking the God of Jacob – bringing their problems to Him – for solving and resolution.
This is the man who prophesies so much which has already come true. This is the man who prophesied about Israel being taken captive and then returning to her land.
This is the man who prophesied about the coming of Jesus into the world.
What he sees concerns Israel - it is centred upon Jerusalem - and it involves us.
The Jews have never seen anything like this yet - but one day they will. Black people - white people - coloured people - Gentiles - seeking the God of Jacob.
Here are the nations turning to our God - to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know from the Book of Romans that we are engrafted into Israel. - if you belong to Jesus Christ. We are united to this people - by the Holy Spirit - in an inseparable way.
The United Nations has not been able to do this - and the old League of Nations - was not able to do this - our God will - He is able. God will do it.
How can you keep ‘religion out of politics’? It is impossible. To do that we would have to leave this Book outside - or tear out about every second page - or get round it by just dealing with those parts of God's Word which are uncontroversial - and they are few indeed. The more I look for one - I cannot find a non-controversial Chapter!
Here we see a picture of the nations turning to God - to our God - to the God of Israel - to the Father of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ - for His Word!
If we did not see this in the written reliable Word of God - I think we would almost laugh at such an idea.
This is one of the reasons why it is important to hold fast - to hold firm to the Word of God. When you are a Word man - when you believe and stand by what is in The Word of God - then Jesus gives you insights into what is going to happen. Insights into all kinds of areas - insights into politics - into the future - which some politicians would give almost anything to see and know.
We will look at the second part of this exciting passage next week – read it through carefully and prayerfully.
“Loving God – You reveal everything we need to know – it is all here in Your book – the book we call the Bible – thank You for the Bible – thank you for its revelation and its authority and the way You have protected Your Word down through the centuries. Thank You for every part and portion these Scriptures – enable us to be faithful readers and students of Your Word – and enable us to share the truth of Your Word with those who need to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.