The Peaceable Kingdom

Last week I said goodbye to an old friend when a memorial service was held for Jerry Moye. Today I am posting an excerpt from one of his sermons in which he draws upon the image of the peaceable kingdom foretold by the prophet Isaiah. An Old Testament scholar, the book of Isaiah was among his favorite writings in the biblical canon. He also loved the artistic representation of The Peaceable Kingdom by the American painter, Edward Hicks*.

The Peaceable Kingdom

By Dr. Jerry Moye

Hear now the description of a new world order given in Isaiah 65. It is a time of peace and prosperity. We are told the events of the past are now forgotten. In other words, we are no longer paralyzed by a history of grievances and hatred, of old prejudices and old policies. The dominating note is that of joy, for there are now new beginnings…

Those living out of a biblical vision are led to be pro-active in solving problems of a damaged and diseased world…We are all interrelated. We are all eventually affected by what happens in all parts of the world…

How do we motivate people to work for a better world in which resources are shared and all peoples are respected? …

The prophet even sees a change in the animal world. Wolves and sheep will live together and leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together and little children will take care of them…

[Isiah’s vision] seems unrealistic. Though the picture seems unlikely, there is an element of truth. I have seen a documentary of Buddhist priests in Thailand who have befriended tigers. While the tigers still eat meat, they are not ferocious among the gentle Buddhists who respect all living creatures.

Many modern Westerners have seen nature and the animal world as existing totally for their benefit. There is little respect for the life of God’s creation. There are some people, however, who have great affection for animals and work for their survival. In an earlier time, many lived closer to the land and to the animal world. There was not wholesale slaughter of any species. In a better age, we will respect all of God’s creation.

Let us cooperate with God in building his peaceable kingdom. A worthy king has come, Jesus gifted with the Spirit, Jesus called to be administrator of justice and compassion, Jesus our brother and divine savior, Jesus our wounded healer, Jesus re-maker of nature and society, Jesus our Christmas hope.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the vision of a better world and thank you for calling us to be a part of making it real. Save us from the cynicism of those who cannot believe in change;

Save us from the despair of those who feel crushed by circumstances of life;

Save us from the power of those who create private empires built on greed.

We believe, O God, in a peaceable kingdom because we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who liberates us from every unworthy bondage. We pray with our Lord, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Amen

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*About the painting by Edward Hicks:

Although it is not considered a religious image, Hicks' Peaceable Kingdom exemplifies Quaker ideals. Hicks painted 61 versions of this composition. The animals and children are taken from Isaiah 11:6-8 (also echoed in Isaiah 65:25), including the lion eating straw with the ox. Hicks used his paintings as a way to define his central interest, which was the quest for a redeemed soul. This theme was also from one of his theological beliefs. (from Wikipedia article)