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Peace and Prosperity
1In the future, the mountain
with the Lord's temple
will be the highest of all.
It will reach above the hills,
and every nation
will rush to it.
2People of many nations
will come and say,
“Let's go up to the mountain
of the Lord God of Jacob
and worship in his temple.”
The Lord will teach us his Law
from Jerusalem,
and we will obey him.
3 He will settle arguments
between distant
and powerful nations.
They will pound their swords
and their spears
into rakes and shovels;
they will never again make war
or attack one another.
4 Everyone will find rest
beneath their own fig trees
or grape vines,
and they will live in peace.
This is a solemn promise
of the Lord All-Powerful.
5Others may follow their gods,
but we will always follow
the Lord our God.
The Lord Will Lead His People
6The Lord said:
At that time
I will gather my people—
the lame and the outcasts,
and all others into whose lives
I have brought sorrow.
7Then the lame and the outcasts
will belong to my people
and become a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will rule them
from Mount Zion forever.
8Mount Zion in Jerusalem,
guardian of my people,
you will rule again.
9Jerusalem, why are you crying?
Don't you have a king?
Have your advisors gone?
Are you suffering
like a woman in childbirth?
10Keep on groaning with pain,
you people of Jerusalem!
If you escape from your city
to the countryside,
you will still be taken
as prisoners to Babylonia.
But later I will rescue you
from your enemies.
11Zion, because of your sins
you are surrounded
by many nations who say,
“We can hardly wait
to see you disgraced.”
12But they don't know
that I, the Lord,
have gathered them here
to grind them like grain.
13Smash them to pieces, Zion!
I'll let you be like a bull
with iron horns
and bronze hoofs.
Crush those nations
and bring their wealth to me,
the Lord of the earth.
Reflect
The inner structure of the book begins to take shape. It reads like a case brought before the court, using a literary device referred to as a rib. The first case is chapters 1-5. As we have seen in the first three chapters, the case presented includes the consequences of not following God. Sin has repercussions for all people (1:2), for creation (1:3-4), Israel (1:6-7), Judah (1:8-16), the landowners (2:1-5), the false prophets (2:6-13; 3:5-8), the political leaders (3:1-4) and leaders (3:9-11). Jerusalem and Samaria are doomed. (1: 5-6). But this part of the rib moves into two chapters of salvation (4:1-13 and 5:1-15).
Chapter four begins with “In the future” and continues in verse six with, “at that time.” Promises now stand in sharp contrast to judgment. The people of God will now experience his presence in completely new and fresh ways. This new era will include new relationships in every sphere that had received judgment – Israel, the nations, all humanity and all of nature. God’s original plan for creation will be accomplished as God alone brings His purposes to fruition.
The second paragraph of this chapter (v. 6-13) begins with the language of a shepherd evoking intimacy and restoration. Images of judgment and salvation play out as God condemns the foolishness of Judah’s enemies. They want to desecrate God’s place, but Zion will eventually use their wealth for the LORD of all the earth.
Respond
LORD God of all the earth. Thank you that you care for the lame and the refugee. Thank you that you care for your people. Never let us forget your constant care and concern for our well-being, which has always been your intention right from the start. Amen.
Glenn Smith
Dr. Glenn Smith is married to Sandra and together they have three daughters, Jenna, Julia and Christa and two granddaughters They are the pastors of a missional community network in their church in Montréal – a multi-site congregation in five locations. Glenn did his graduate studies at the Université d’Ottawa and his doctoral thesis at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago. He was the Executive Director of Christian Direction in Montreal 1983 – 2018. He is the Dean of the Faculty of Practical Theology at Presbyterian College at McGill University and the the Institut de théologie pour la francophonie, accredited by Université Laval. He also teaches in Haïti. Publications: co-author of Espoir pour la ville; Dieu dans la cité (Hope for the city, God in the city); Following Jesus: God invites us to transformative discipleship and author of City Air Makes You Free.