Advent reflection #1: Hope (Gavin Yeung)
By Gavin Yeung
Isaiah 2:1-5
1 - This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 - In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 - Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 - He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
As we approach the season of remembering the birth of Jesus, we should also remember the hope that our Lord and Saviour brought. It was a hope foretold from long ago. Many would fear the “last days” but those who have believe in Christ rejoice at His Kingdom. This passage offers hope to all people regardless of background. God’s word promises a time of peace led by God Himself.
Much of the commentary on the mountain of the Lord’s temple talks of the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20). Viewed another way though, we should remember that those resurrected in the first resurrection believed in Him; that He is in us and we are in Him that we are His temple and if we ask He will “teach us His ways” and lead us to “walk in His paths”. God’s word through Isaiah reminds us to believe that Christ can work through us today to bring peace in His name through His word.
Longing for God’s justice
Many courthouses and places of justice in the world depict the principals of how to “judge” and “settle disputes”. There are statues showing:
scales of justice being held by a blind judge showing the principal of impartiality, or a picture of justice holding a sword
the ability of justice systems to dole out justice or a balanced scale with a lion on one side and a lamb on the other side
that justice is not only for the rich and powerful but equally for the poor and weak.
However, despite our best human judgements, we do not have to look far to see injustice all around us.
Isn’t it wonderful to believe that God will judge us? One who knows what is in our hearts, whom anyone can approach and who holds ultimate power? Because of this, we groan as we eagerly await Christ’s return (Romans 8:18-25); when Christ will reign and justice will flow like a river and righteousness like a never failing stream (Amos 5:24).
Living in anticipation for Christ’s return
Matthew 24:36-44 speaks to Jesus’ return as well and to “be ready”.
How can we be ready?
Micah 6:8 reminds us to “act justly to love mercy and walk humbly with our God”. The most dangerous thing we can do is to believe that there is still time before He returns. Believing in Christ means to believe in His return and obey His command to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34).
Lastly, Isaiah 2 reminds us of the injustice of this world. We need not look far to see injustice all around us. But we should remember that any small debt that is owed to us, cannot compare with the insurmountable debt we owe to God; in this case, all debt is owed to God. So instead of using the gifts, resources, tools, and talents that God has given us to destroy, we should instead use them to grow fruit for His kingdom, “swords” and “spears” into “plowshares” and “pruning hooks”.