Only Jesus Brings True Peace: Isaiah 2:4

Carol Plafcan
5 days ago
6 min read

Swords into Plowshares: Isaiah 2:4

Directly across from the United Nations building in New York City is a park with a granite wall. On this wall in 8-inch-high letters is inscribed a portion of Isaiah 2:4 which says, "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 anymore." This verse matches the theme of a large sculpture outside of the UN building known as "Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares." When we understand Isaiah 2:4 we realize only Jesus brings true peace.

This verse, of course, doesn't refer to the UN, but to the time to come when Jesus will reign over the earth and end all conflict. Then righteous justice will prevail. You might be wondering what a plowshare even is. It is the sharp iron blade used by farmers to till soil. A pruning hook was used to tend grapevines to make them more fruitful by removing undesirable growth from the vines. When there is no war, there is no need for weapons.

“Lasting peace will never come from human efforts—it will come only when Christ reigns.”

When Peace Follows Judgment

This poetic language, seen also in Micah 4:3, describes a time when the peace of Christ will be known throughout the world. It will be He who judges the nations, Isaiah tells us. Peace only comes after this judgment (Isaiah 2:4). All nations will flow to Jerusalem where God will establish His house. There the people will learn the ways of God. Before this peace can come, the book of Joel describes a very different scene.

Joel's Reversal: Plowshares into Swords

Isaiah 2:4 is turned on its head in Joel 3:10. There Joel describes the nations gathering to do battle in the Valley of Jehoshaphat against God and His people. Many scholars interpret this battle as the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16), the final battle before the events of Isaiah 2:1-4 are described.

But here, in preparation for war, Joel says to turn your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. The nations will rise up against God's people in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat them. Joel's prophecy shows that war will continue but true peace awaits the reign of Christ. People have tried for centuries to permanently end war.

Only Jesus Brings True Peace: Isaiah 2:4

The Armistice of WW1 was considered the "War to End All Wars." Sadly in less than 25 years war would return to the world. Similar hopes rose after the Napoleonic Wars in Europe (1803-1815) and the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) which was fought in Europe and North America. Again people looked for permanent peace. Unfortunately, humans have failed miserably in making the world a peaceful place.

Neither the United Nations, nor any other human institution, will ever bring lasting peace to earth no matter how many statues or Bible verses are quoted. Peace only comes through Christ. Isaiah not only predicted future peace but also addressed Israel's failings at the time.

Walking in the Light of the Lord Today

As Isaiah continued he told the people of Israel so long ago, "O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). Do we want peace in our land, in our families, and in our hearts? It is available right now if we follow the prophet's words. Walk in the light of the Lord means to walk in obedience and holiness. It means to trust God, repent, and let Him lead our lives. As we do these things we grow in sanctification, in other words, in becoming more like Christ. But Israel was not walking in the light.

The Dangers of Materialism and False Religion

Sadly in Isaiah's time, the House of Jacob (Israel) had forsaken God's ways. They had turned from God to fortune tellers, they had found their pleasure in gold and silver and things, not in worshipping God. They had put their trust in the work of their hands instead of God. Possessions had become their God. Isaiah explains that a time will come when they will try, unsuccessfully, to hide from the terror and glory of God's majesty. In that future day, their pride will be brought low and only God will be exalted (Isaiah 2:11).

Like Israel of old, we often forget God. It is so easy in our modern world to rely on our retirement plans or our bank accounts instead of God. Advertisers bombard us daily with the newest thing they want us to buy and of course it is implied that if you do you will find happiness in them. But God says His way is different. We should acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him. We should only trust in God, not possessions. Only in Him is there true joy. Israel had not learned this lesson.

Standing for Truth in a Shameless Society

Isaiah described a society that had so little shame it didn't try to hide its sin (Isaiah 3:9). Their leaders were accused of "grinding the faces of the poor" (Isaiah 3:15). They were haughty, which means they arrogantly feel superior to others (Isaiah 3:16). But their arrogance, the Lord said, will be removed and punishment will come. They will not continue to live in pride because they will be desolate and mourn over what will happen to them. Human rebellion continues, and will, until Christ's return.

Even today, sin seems to be applauded (Romans 1:32). When was the last time you heard anyone say they were ashamed for their sin? As Christ followers we must remain humble but also not be afraid to stand for truth. True love doesn't delight in evil, but as Paul reminds us, "rejoices in truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6).

Just as in Isaiah's day, many people now turn to false religions, the New Age movement, or spiritualism instead of acknowledging God. The poor are trampled over and abused to make the rich even richer. These sins will not go unpunished.

How many of us, without even realizing it, have bought clothing from overseas sweatshops? I certainly have. The unsafe conditions workers labor under, and the pitiful pay they receive, are appalling. In 2013 in Bangladesh, the Rana Plaza Factory collapsed killing 1,100 workers. This factory produced clothing sold in the West, under brand names like, Primark, Benetton, Zara, and Walmart to name a few. Most of us can’t fully escape a system this broken, yet God still sees every injustice, and none of it escapes His notice.

God will not always be patient with our sin if we consistently abuse His grace. There are always consequences to our sin. God never abandons His children, but He does discipline them. But as God's children we cling to 1 John 1:9,

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Living Hope Through Christ's Resurrection

God's forgiveness allows us to always hope. He has given us a Savior to provide a way to reconcile us with His holiness. And when we live in times where it seems there is no hope, whether because of tragedy and loss in our own lives, or the life of our nation, we know there is an eternal hope waiting for us. But our hope is not just in the future because our amazing God is always with us.

As the hymn "Amazing God" by Triumphant reminds us, when we're exhausted from this life our God is still with us, cares for us and hears us. He still dries our tears and heals our broken hearts. Whatever the devil brings our way we know these are true words. God's care and peace is always with us. Only Jesus brings true peace.

As 1 Peter 1:3-4 explains, according to God's mercy He has given us "a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." It is an inheritance that is "reserved in heaven for you." No matter what we are called to endure that hope never fades. It is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Finding hope and peace with God is fully realized in the coming New Jerusalem that we read about in Revelation 21. Understanding Isaiah 2:4 means waiting with hope for our new home.

In the New Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven, we will live eternally with our Father and be blessed in unimaginable ways. No suffering, no need for a temple, lit by the glory of God, with the river of life flowing from His throne, the New Jerusalem is our ultimate hope. The Holy Spirit who indwells believers will forever be with us in this glorious place. Here we will always live with our blessed Lord of Peace who reigns forever and ever.

One day the granite wall across from the United Nations will be obsolete, because the Prince of Peace Himself will reign from Jerusalem, and every sword will finally become a plowshare.