Isaiah 11:8 - Baby Play

Years ago we were visiting friends in Tennessee. The adults were absorbed in conversation while our daughter was playing quietly and our son was exploring the yard. He was only about three or four years old at the time. He rejoined us and started interrupting our conversation. "Come see Spider Land... Spider Land is right over there." We kept on talking; he kept interrupting. To humor him, I finally broke away to be escorted to "Spider Land." 

There was indeed a web or two. With more than one small black spider. They had the tell-tale, red hourglass mark of black widow spiders! Of course, we gave him positive reinforcement for not touching the spiders, and thanked God that he hadn't been bit.

Isaiah describes a day when Jesus will reign over a new heaven and a new earth. I was just a boy myself when I first read this description of what is called "The Peaceable Kingdom." I didn't understand the whole prophecy, but the imagery was imprinted with me for life:

"6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. 8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes [or spider webs!] without harm. 9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord." (Isaiah 11:6-9, New Living Translation, 2015)

Lord God, we long for the day when Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth, where we will know You as we have been known {1 Corinthians 13:12}, where even the animals are at peace, and babies have nothing to fear. In His name we pray, Amen.

See also:
July 14, 2020 - Isaiah 11:6-7 - Mosquitoes and World Peace
March 2, 2021 - Isaiah 11:3-4 - Hurting
Thursday, September 9, 2021 - Isaiah 11:3-4 - Trout Stereotyping