Signs of Hope: A New Vision
Dr. Jim Wilson, December 9, 2007 I had no sooner finished reading the words of Isaiah 11:1-9 for the Disciple Bible Study Class, when John spoke up, as only John could. “I have just two problems with that passage, Pastor. First, it is unrealistic. Second, it is unreasonable. What’s Isaiah been smoking?” Then he added, “If the wolf and lamb live together, everyone knows it would be for a very short time, like over lunch!” The class broke out in laughter as did I. John was an engineer both by profession and temperament. His was a hard-nosed, data-bound, this-is-how-the-world-works kind of rational realism. Needless to say, John was not much into poetry. Perhaps, some of you had a similar reaction as I read Isaiah’s vision. It is indeed an incredible scene Isaiah paints for us---this portrait of an ideal king emerging from the “stump of Jesse” to bring justice and righteousness to the sociopolitical order, and peace, shalom, to the natural order, this image of the peaceable kingdom in which natural enemies, predator and prey, exist together in peace and harmony. It is quite a portrait, a world emptied of violence, freed of hostility, rid of danger and destruction, world of shalom. Yet the question remains, “Is it fantasy? An unrealistic, unreasonable fantasy?” I suppose that depends on who is defining reality and what constitutes reasonableness. For Isaiah, this vision is about as real and reasonable as it gets His words and the hope they inspire are grounded in God’s promise announced in 2 Samuel 7 that Israel would always have a king from David’s line. Now in days of uncertainty and ambiguity, he harkens back to that promise and proclaims the emergence of a new king, a “branch” from David’s line. This indeed is a special king, one whose very character is shaped by God’s Spirit as it grants gifts for leadership---gifts of wisdom and understanding for his intellect; gifts of counsel and might for his practical duties; gifts of knowledge and fear of the Lord for his spiritual development. (I wonder how this guy would do in the Iowa primary??) This new king is clearly the Lord’s Anointed One. And the clear focus of his reign is to establish justice and righteousness among the people. His reign of justice will have implications in the natural order. Isaiah’s vision is for a New Order in the creation, a New Order that breathes hope into the lives of those who long for a Word of hope. Isaiah’s vision is one of peace, shalom for the entire created order. This is a powerful image. Nineteenth century artist, Edward Hicks captures Isaiah’ words in a memorable painting entitled, “The Peaceable Kingdom.” It is printed on the inside of your bulletin. Note the animals, especially their eyes how wide open they are. They seem as amazed at what is happening as we who hear Isaiah’s words are---natural enemies dwelling in peace, led by a little child, a nursing child, a weaned child, humankind at its most vulnerable This is the world of peace, shalom, a vision of God’s intentions for the creation. But look on the left side, where Hicks included William Penn (Hicks was a Quaker) and others negotiating with a group Native Americans. At first glance, I puzzled about this. Why would Hicks include this side picture? Then I saw the connection---the same connection I hear Isaiah making---justice in the human order is the source for peace in the creation. Or as the more familiar saying puts the matter: “If you want peace, work for justice.” I think Isaiah would have agreed. There is a inevitable link between the two. Peace cannot be imposed. It emerges out of justice being established among the people. Why do you suppose this is such difficult thing for us to understand?
"The Peaceable Kingdom" by Edward Hicks I hunch it might have to do with our inability to see God’s vision. We prefer to remain tied to “the way things are,” to succumb to cultural definitions of reality and to see life in term of power and control. Yet why a passage such as Isaiah’s stirs our hearts is because it touches those deep longings in us for a world of justice and peace. Advent reminds us of a new world breaking in and the hope that such a vision engenders among us. I would encourage us to listen to God’s promise, to open our imaginations to God’s vision and know the hope that is birthed. After all, the old reality said apartheid in South Africa could be ended only by blood shed. Others had a vision and hope. The old reality said democracy would defeat communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe only in aThird World War. Others had a vision and hope. The old reality says cancer means death Others have a vision and hope. The old reality says the Cubs will never win a world series. Well---others of us still have hope. It is the vision that makes the difference. It is the vision that is the source of hope. That is the Word of Advent. God is coming to bring a new order for all of life. Therefore we can live in hope. I have been watching the presidential candidates tip toe around their faith. Senators Clinton and Obama have been eager to speak about their faith, realizing that the perception of many is that Democrats are not persons of faith. I have no reason to doubt the truthfulness of their witness, but it is interesting how politics have pushed the public witness. As for the Republicans, I am sure it is Mit Romney’s Mormonism and Mike Huckabee’s Baptist ordination that has promoted the competition to speak to the evangelical base. I did resonate with Governor Huckabee’s response to a reporter’s question about what he thought Jesus would do on a particular matter. Huckabee answered, “Jesus had enough sense not to run for public office.” I found Governor Romney’s speech last week somewhat troubling. I understand it from a political perspective but when he said, the province of church “ends where the affairs of the nation begin,” I wondered about the relationship between his faith and his life. I would ask all the candidates what informs their vision for our country and where do they find hope. How does anyone separate their faith, the source of one’s values and perspective on life, from who they are and the decisions they make. Vision emerges from faith. Faith shapes our vision. That is Isaiah’s point. Our longings for justice and peace come from God’s vision. Our hope is born in letting that vision give direction to our living. Advent calls us to a new vision, one that speaks of justice and peace for all of God’s creatures. May that vision free us to welcome the One who reorders all of life that God’s justice and peace might be realized among us. Incidentally, on the way out of the Disciple Class that night, John stopped to say, “Jim, this vision of Isaiah is really powerful!” May it be so for us! Thanks be to God! Amen! |
