A Prophecy of Shalom

Yesterday I spent some time reading journalists’ accounts of the violence that spread across our country in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.  Lifetimes of anger at systemic injustice boiled over into violence.  Shortly after I did my Bible reading.  I read this prophecy in Isaiah 11. 

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,

    or decide by what he hears with his ears;

but with righteousness he will judge the needy,

    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth...

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.

The cow will feed with the bear,

    their young will lie down together,

    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the cobra’s den,

    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

This prophecy invites us to consider a time that is coming when the powerful will use their power to protect, not exploit or injure.  Wolves, leopards, and lions will live in peace with what had been their vulnerable prey.  Shalom.  It’s easy to watch the news and quickly reach a verdict.  But I want to encourage you towards two alternatives.  First, listen empathically.  Put yourself in the shoes of another.  And second, pray.  Those two activities will bring shalom much faster than figuring out who’s right and who’s wrong.