Swords into Plowshares
"Let us walk in the light of the LORD"
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Isaiah saw a day when the mountain of the LORD's house would be the highest of all, and people of every nation would stream to it, saying, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD," to learn his ways. God would settle disputes between nations, and they would beat their swords into plowshares and never train for war again. So Isaiah invited God's people: "Let us walk in the light of the LORD."
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 2:1-5
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Mountain of the LORD | 2:1-2 | God's house will be the highest mountain |
| 2. Nations Streaming In | 2:3 | People of every nation come to learn God's ways |
| 3. Swords Into Plowshares | 2:4 | War will end |
| 4. Walk in the Light | 2:5 | God's people are invited to start now |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Isaiah was a prophet in Jerusalem, about 740 to 700 BC (Isaiah 1:1). A prophet is a messenger who speaks for God.
What was happening. Chapter 1 is a hard message. God's people had turned away from him. Their worship was empty, and they didn't care for the poor (1:16-17).
What this passage is. A bright vision right after that hard message. Isaiah looks ahead to "the last days," when God will gather every nation and end war.
How to read it. The same promise, almost word for word, is also in Micah 4:1-3.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4The Mountain of the LORD
"In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains" (2:2).
The house of the LORD was the temple in Jerusalem, on a hill called Mount Zion. It wasn't the tallest hill around.
But one day, Isaiah says, it will be the highest of all. "All nations will stream to it" (2:2).
This is a comparison. God's house will be the most important place in the world.
Section 2 of 4Nations Streaming In
People from many nations will say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD" (2:3).
Why? "He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths" (2:3).
Rivers usually flow down. Here, people flow up the mountain, drawn to God.
Section 3 of 4Swords Into Plowshares
God will settle arguments between nations.
"They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks" (2:4).
A plowshare is the metal blade of a plow, used for farming. A pruning hook is a curved knife for trimming vines. Weapons will become farm tools.
"Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war" (2:4).
Section 4 of 4Walk in the Light
Isaiah ends with an invitation. "Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD" (2:5).
The house of Jacob means God's people. They don't have to wait for the last days. They can start walking in God's light now.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "In the last days" (2:2) | The time when God finishes what he started. |
| "All nations will stream to it" (2:2) | God's welcome is for every people. |
| "He will teach us His ways" (2:3) | People will come wanting to learn from God. |
| "Swords into plowshares" (2:4) | Weapons become tools that grow food. |
| "Nor train anymore for war" (2:4) | Peace will be so complete, no one needs armies. |
| "Let us walk in the light of the LORD" (2:5) | God's people can live in his peace today. |
Back Then
Isaiah lived in a time of war. Assyria, a powerful empire, was attacking nations all around Israel.
Swords and plows were made of the same metal. Reshaping one into the other took heat and hammering, real work.
The prophet Joel turned it around. In a call to battle, Joel said, "Beat your plowshares into swords" (Joel 3:10). Isaiah's promise is the opposite.
Literal Reader Alert
Does this mean Christians can't be soldiers? Christians have answered this differently. Isaiah is describing God's final peace, which only God can bring.
When are "the last days"? The New Testament says the last days began when Jesus came (Hebrews 1:2). They will be complete when he returns.
Will all nations really come? Jesus sent his followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). People of every nation are coming to God now.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The nations | Eager | They want to learn God's ways (2:3) |
| Everyone | Relieved | War is over (2:4) |
| God's people | Invited | "Let us walk in the light" (2:5) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What would you turn into a plowshare? Tap one.
Angry words
Words can hurt or help. You can choose to build up.
A fight
Is there a fight you could end today?
Fear
God's peace is coming. You can trust him now.
Walk in light
Isaiah invites you to start living God's peace today.
You Might Have Heard
"There will always be war. Peace is impossible."
What's true: The world has always had war. People can't make perfect peace on their own.
What the passage is mainly about: God himself promises to end war. He will teach the nations, and they will turn weapons into tools. His peace is coming.
Where Jesus is: Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He told Peter to put away his sword (Matthew 26:52), and he made peace through the cross.
Good News
People can't end war on their own. God promises he will.
"They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks" (2:4).
In Jesus, God's peace has begun. One day it will fill the whole earth.
God will gather every nation, teach them his ways, and end war. Let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Big Idea
One day, all nations will stream to God and beat their swords into plowshares. Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther said that Christ's kingdom is a kingdom of peace, spread by the word, not by the sword.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Isaiah 2:1-5 on the First Sunday of Advent, the start of the church year.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
How did that feel?
You finished Swords into Plowshares.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday of Advent Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 2:1–5
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Swords into Plowshares, explained in plain words. One day, all nations will stream to God, and weapons will become farm tools. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/swords-into-plowshares/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church