Isaiah 11:4-9 - The Grandest Animal Parade

 

"Wars and rumors of wars" is what Jesus said there would be--among many other things--before the end of the world. (Matthew 24:6) What will the world look like when Jesus reigns as the Prince of Peace? (Isaiah 9:6)

It's difficult to imagine because even when there is not major turmoil --like the current Russian invasion of  the Ukraine-- there is battle and bloodshed going on somewhere in the world that doesn't make the headlines.  Not to mention turmoil between people and groups for any number of causes and reasons.

Isaiah says that when Jesus is in control,
"He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked." (Isaiah 11:4, New Living Translation, 2015)

In other words, it will not be a safe environment for evil or for wicked people. On the other hand, Isaiah goes on to describe peace in terms of safety, even for babies and toddlers.

"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 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, NLT)

Our Golden Doodle has always had a rambunctious personality. But even as a pup, he instinctively knew how to be gentle around little children.

Toddlers are so called for a reason. They can barely walk a straight line; they... well, they toddle. I can perhaps imagine our dog--now over 60 pounds--being led by one of our little grandchildren. Maybe. Indoors. In a small room. I cannot imagine a wolf, a leopard, or a lion being led by a toddler. Especially if said carnivores are lunging at the cows and sheep.

Have you ever seen kids put outfits on their stuffed animals or dolls and put them in a wagon or stroller to make a parade? That's what I envision by "a little child will lead them all."

But it won't be kids playing dress-up with stuffed animals. In the Kingdom of God, the carnivores will be herbivores. They'll be as gentle as the lambs they used to eat. Toddlers will lead them around like oversized pets, in a grand parade. And to top it off, babies will play next to snake pits. That describes life when Jesus is fully in control, when there is genuine "peace on earth," the new earth.

Father, we pray as Jesus taught us: for Your kingdom to come, for Your will to be accomplished on earth, just like it is already fulfilled in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) We pray that Jesus will soon return (Maranatha! 1 Cor 16:22) to establish his rule as the Prince of Peace. In His name we pray, Amen.