Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Old Testament peace in the light of Christ

A very interesting note on the reading for today. Isaiah 2.3(b)-11. This is clearly being understood as a Christological exegesis and might help illuminate the issue of Old Testament violence in light of early Christian pacifism. Look especially at the bold print, which I have added. This appears to be a result of the Word of the Lord (always understood by the PAtristic authors as Christ) going forth from Jerusalem:


Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4
He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.
5
O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the Lord.
6
For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with eastern ways; They are soothsayers like the Philistines, And they are pleased with the children of foreigners.
7
Their land is also full of silver and gold, And there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, And there is no end to their chariots.
8
Their land is also full of idols; They worship the work of their own hands, That which their own fingers have made.

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