Journey to Advent--Day Sixteen

Isaiah 2:1-5 Peace Comes to the Fields


“What do you think peace looks like?” Zeke asked unexpectedly.

“I don’t know,” Josh replied. “Sure doesn’t look like this.”

The boys sat on the wall. They were old enough to be men in the society they lived, but deep down they were still boys that wanted to run, joke with their friends and just play. Their childhoods were robbed of them. All they had really ever known was vigilance and ever-present danger. Even now, their spears were nearby, just in case. Enemy attacks were increasing. Their country’s little piece of land was situated in between much bigger political powers. They were the rope in the tug-of-war and people were tired and scared, but mainly they were just disheartened.

Zeke agreed. “Granddad tells of times of peace. When he and his friends would skip stones across the creek. He even tells stories of playing in the fields at night! I sure can’t imagine that.”

“Playing in the fields? You’re kidding. Those fields are so dangerous. You never know when you’ll come upon a spy camping out there. They are always watching you know.”

“Wonder what the fields looked like in Granddad’s day?”

“Dunno. Full of wheat or barley I’d guess.” Josh sighed. “Wouldn’t it be great to have just one field of wheat or barley? Why we could feed the whole town with that!”

They sat and mulled that thought a while longer. Neither of them had ever seen the fields ripe for harvest. Their lifetime had been one of scarcity. Too many risks to be out in the fields. Besides, all of the country’s resources were used for mere survival. Suddenly Josh sat up again. “Do you think we will ever see it, Zeke? Peace, I mean. Do you think that it will come to us? I really want something to believe in!” His hopeful look and wistful tone betrayed how deeply he needed to believe.

“I don’t know Josh. I don’t know. But that crazy prophet says that someday it will come. I sure hope he is right.”

“Me, too. Me, too.”

He'll settle things fairly between nations.
He'll make things right between many peoples.
They'll turn their swords into shovels,
their spears into hoes.
No more will nation fight nation;
they won't play war anymore.
Come, family of Jacob,
let's live in the light of God. Isaiah 2:3-5 (The Message)

Come and be the peace in my life Father God. Make me a conduit of your peace to others. Amen.