[1] The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. [2] It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,[3] and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:1–3)
This is such a powerful image about the end times! All nations flowing, streaming, rushing to the house of the God of Jacob. Hiking, climbing, scrambling to learn God’s ways and walk in God’s paths.
When we envision this passage, we often see people from other countries and ethnic groups streaming up the mountain of the house of the Lord. If so, we need to broaden our vision. We need to see ourselves included in this river of people rushing to the House of God.
This shift in perspective makes a powerful Scripture passage even more intriguing.
But why wait? With daily lives that resemble whirlwinds, there is something calming the thought of this simple process: God teaches us His ways and we then walk in His paths. For us, this is receiving God’s Word and living out God’s Word. This cuts though the complexity of life, allowing for singular focus on God.
Why wait? Why wait to invite others to join us on the way up the mountain of the Lord? We can invite a family member, a neighbor, a coworker, a fellow student. What a blessing, to start walking in God’s paths together.
This passage is not just a powerful image of the end times. It’s an intriguing vision of what could be today and a great way to start the new church year.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the church-at-large, but specifically for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 