I relish these verses about no more war! Isaiah said we will not need to learn war any more. It will be such an out-dated form of conflict (and resolution) that we will be able to redirect our manufacturing of weapons to creating tools that can help feed the hungry. Awesome!
I have to admit that I feel more hopeful about these verses if I don’t think about the fact that they were written 2,800 years ago, and there’s been so much suffering and war since then. I feel better if I don’t turn on today’s news.
I want to feel hope from these verses. Instead, I find myself feeling disappointed. Why can’t we get it right, Humanity?
I looked up the stone engraving that Wiltschek mentions as sitting across from the United Nations building in New York City. I was expecting something much smaller–it’s an entire wall!
When I did that search, I also found this sculpture, which sits in the north garden area of the United Nations building in NYC. It was a gift from the Soviet Union in the late 1950s. Really?! Does Putin know about this?!!
If these verses represent ideas that are so universally appreciated, then where are the wonderful societies without war? The only ones I can think of are in fiction, usually set in the future or on an idyllic, isolated island.
I, too, feel frustrated, Chris. It seems like we are sitting by and allowing the destruction to continue. At the same time, I don't want us to do anything that will escalate into World War III. To be honest, though, how would a war like that feel different to the people of Ukraine from what is happening now?
My mind keeps going back to a comparison I've mentioned before--There's a bully in the schoolyard. Do we sit back and watch him pummel the victim because we're afraid he'll turn on us if we take a stand? Or do we--all the kids on the playground--link arms and surround the victim with protection, too many of us for the bully to take on at once? Maybe the fact that this particular bully in the Ukrainian schoolyard has a nuclear arsenal makes my comparison invalid.
I am trying to trust the NATO leaders, who seem to think that the slow-but-cumulative effect of the sanctions will result in a change of direction from Putin.
I love your idea about redirecting some war funds toward education about nonviolent transformation of conflict. Just think of all the problems we could eradicate--hunger, poverty, disease--if we didn't have to be on the ready for war all the time!