For Those Who Seek Peace

KEY VERSE: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” —Isaiah 11:6, New International Version

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 11:1-6; Luke 2:10-14

IN II SAMUEL 7:12 and Psalm 132:11, promises were made to David that his son would inherit his throne. In reference to this Isaiah says, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” (Isa. 11:1, NIV) Jesse was the father of David (I Chron. 2:13-15), and our Lord Jesus was from the offspring of David. (Matt. 1:6) Thus, as promised, Jesus became the new spiritual shoot from the root of Jesse.

The prophet continues, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” (Isa. 11:2, NIV) This is a valid description of Jesus during his earthly ministry, but it will be even more true when he takes his great power to reign over the world in his kingdom.

Justice, wisdom, love, and power will be manifested in our Lord’s actions, and together with his church he will judge the poor and the needy with justice and righteousness. Those who oppose his rule will be judged appropriately, as represented by the “rod of his mouth,” and the “breath of his lips.” (vs. 4) Truth will prevail, and all enemies of righteousness will be dealt with equitably, but with firmness.

The Key Verse of this lesson points to the time when peace will be triumphant over all of God’s creation. It will be true that the animal world will also be at peace—with the wolf living with the lamb, the leopard lying down with the goat, and the calf, lion, and yearling in harmony with one another—with a little child leading them. This tranquil scene continues with the cow and bear in accord, and the lion eating straw like an ox. Further, the child will be unafraid of the cobra, or the viper’s nest.—vss. 7,8

Nearly two thousand years ago our Lord Jesus was born into the world as promised. “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’.” (Luke 2:10,11, NIV) The Son of God left his heavenly home, and became a man to become earth’s Savior. He was made flesh so that he could give his life as a corresponding price for the sins of the world. The good news spoken by the angel was a message of redemption, reconciliation, and restitution, to be manifested to all in God’s due time.

Luke explains why Jesus was born in Bethlehem instead of at the home of his parents in Nazareth. Caesar Augustus was in power over the Roman Empire at that time, which included Israel, and he instituted a census that required all citizens to register in the city of their birth. Joseph returned to his native Bethlehem to comply with the census, and Mary, expecting a child, accompanied him. Because so many people were gathered in the town there was no place to stay at the inn, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in the stable. She then wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.

The Son of Man was born in very humble surroundings. (Luke 2:1-7) But there was great joy in heaven, and “suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests’.”—Luke 2:13,14, NIV

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