Good morning!

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

The image above  greets me every morning when I open up my computer.  This image represents the prophet Isaiah’s call.  When the prophet accepts the call from God in a magnificent way, a seraphim places a burning coal on his lips.  This is supposed to signify the importance of the prophecy but also just how burning his words will be…either to him who holds on to them but also to those who may hear.  The prophet will make a difference. Isaiah’s prophecy spans over chapters and chapters of the book of Isaiah.  Scholars now say that perhaps this was actually three prophet’s work, spanning over an incredible length of time.  Each section of Isaiah is a little different in style but some things are consistent.  One of those things is the calling out of the one who is to come.  Isaiah chapter 2 is part of that great prophecy.

The people of Israel are promised that there will be one to come who will rule all differently.  We will see ultimate peace and war will be no more.  The mountain represents God in that God will be the place of peace, above all other Gods. We will learn ways of peace and follow through a journey.   For the people of Israel this was a saying of great blessing and great promise.

We may not be so different, you and I.  How many of us yearn for peace during this season of great anticipation? How many of us are moved by God that sometimes we feel as though we have been given lips of burning coal? We all have our moments.  This image for me each morning reminds me that I have work to do in this world…and it may not always be so easy but I also know that God and I are doing it together.  Plus there is something about the passion and beauty of this image and this call. There is something about being called by God to do great work.  Where are you called this season? What lights you up?

Peace,

Court