All Nations Shall Stream to It

This meditation is based on a passage for December 1, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Isaiah 2:1-4

Reflection and Question: While Mount Zion is the focus of this beautiful vision, this psalm is really speaking to the universal rule of God over all the peoples and nations on earth. This is one example of the shift in Jewish understanding from a tribal God to the God of all creation. Likewise, the inspiring image of peace in the last verse is a far cry from the warmongering in so many of the psalms. Central here, for me, is that the word, “all,” here means all, including God’s LGBT beloved. Where would you like wars to cease?

Prayer: Almighty God of all, hasten the day when we in Your church will beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks. May we not lift up verbal sword against one another and not learn war within Your church any more. Amen.