This week I'm driving Amish teachers to school and then back home in the afternoon. The father of one teacher runs a farm store named A&B Farm Supply. As I pulled in this morning I noticed he has a plow for sale so if you are interested the info on the store is below. I called Amos
this morning and it's selling for $695.00.
The plow is a foundational implement in agriculture first mentioned in the Bible in Deuteronomy (22:10). The plow is used to break up the soil for planting. A plowshare is a component of a plow: the cutting or leading edge which
cuts into the soil. (I did not know this until I studied for today’s message).
"Beating swords into plowshares" refers to the conversion of military weapons or technologies for peaceful civilian applications. A sword's purpose is to cut people causing harm or death. A plowshare cuts soil for positive productivity benefiting humanity. The phrase originates from our daily text in Isaiah 2:4 which is a prophetic statement of a future time when wars will cease.
Our entire life we've heard reports of wars and rumors of wars. At any given time wars are breaking out somewhere on the earth. The dictionary describes war as "a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air". War zones may also include gang wars and far too often, domestic violence.
Many wars are taking place at any given time and don't even make the news, especially if they are
in an obscure place, aren't politically useful or don't fit with the desired narrative of the reporter or the network he represents.
Some wars are essentially ignored such as the horrific conditions for Christians in Nigeria and the bands of warring Muslim extremists who are tormenting them. Nearly every Sunday Dennis, a member of our Sunday School class (ABF) and missionary to Nigeria, gives us an update. But how many of
you hear much about this? Actually these kinds of wars are happening all around the world, including terrorist attacks. But the oft repeated assertion that Islam is a peaceful religion is strong and thus reporting on these types of wars goes against this narrative.
Of course war is again in the news with the conflict in the Middle East. Certainly it is appropriate to pray for a peaceful resolution as we have been doing in our family.
War is one of the awful consequences of the
Fall. The human race is conflicted one way or another ever since Cain killed his brother, Abel. How grievous that the first murder recorded in Scripture would be a man taking the life of his own biological brother.
The first wars in the Bible are recorded in Genesis 14. Portions of the Old Testament are uncomfortably war-filled, including some of the deadliest atrocities, described in Judges and other historical
books.
The New Testament has less mention of wars. However in Revelation there are reports of horrible end time battles, including the Battle of Armageddon in Revelation 16.
Jesus told His disciples, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come" (Matthew 24:6). This text is found in each of the three synoptic gospels. In our modern time of 24 hour breaking news we have instant
knowledge of wars and rumors of wars. Previous generations had far less access to such news and they may not even have known of wars taking place in a distant region or they would learn much later.
Here are several Scriptural responses to the news of "wars and rumors of wars":
1) The text teaches us, "that you are not alarmed". News of wars and rumors of wars can be very alarming, much more
so, if we are directly affected, such as those living in war torn countries. But Jesus wants us to have peace no matter the intensity of the storms around us. He is in charge!
2) "Such things must happen, but the end is still to come". The reign of world peace did not begin at Christ's first mission to earth. His primary mission was to die for our sins. We still live in a fallen world filled with strife, division and wars.
3) Jesus taught in the Beatitudes that we are to be
peacemakers, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
4) We are to pray for peace. The apostle Paul wrote, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1).
5) We are to "make every effort to do what leads to peace" (Romans 14:19) and
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).
The New Testament's greatest emphasis on peace is:
1) Peace between God and us (reconciliation): "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"
(Romans 5:1).
2) Peace within our hearts. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
As you hear of wars and rumors of wars Jesus said we do not have to be alarmed. This world is not our permanent home, so let us instead focus on our heavenly citizenship which is our eternal home. There will be
a time when swords are converted to plowshares.
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, I am challenged by the prophetic words Christ shared with His
disciples the night before His crucifixion. He warned them of the future tribulation they would experience all through life but He also encourages them to be overcomers just as He Himself is an overcomer. Neither Jesus' disciples who walked and talked with Him nor we who walk and talk with Him by faith will escape trial, tribulation or the fallout of war, but we can experience joy and joy in knowing that Jesus is the Master Overcomer who equips, enables and encourages us not to be overcome by
evil but to overcome this evil world by doing good. Amen.
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