He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and the spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more…(Micah 4:3 NRSV)

Reflections by Keith Funk

Whether formally or informally, we all are students at study. Our lives are shaped by that to which we give attention and focus. For many of us, the school years are well behind us, but the learning continues. Life, after all, is a process of education and each day is a learning experience. It is just a matter of where we spend our time and what we give our attention to.

“What are you studying?” Such a question is most asked of a student in school during their education. My oldest two grandchildren currently attend high school and middle school, respectively. If I ask them this question, they may answer with reference to completing a current assignment in mathematics, history, or geography. Ask this question of a college student, we may hear a response that pertains to their major, and so on. However, today I am asking this question with the broadest audience in mind, as I also ask it of myself. Again, we are all students at study; it is just being aware of what we are doing and what we seek to inform us.

The words of the Scripture above come from the prophet, Micah. (Interestingly, these words are also found in Isaiah 2:4). They are part of the larger message that looks forward to coming days where nations and peoples together gather before Israel’s God recasting weapons of war into tools for growing food and nourishing life. This speaks of a vision from God where nations no longer seek war but are invested in being taught of God in the way of peace.

The human story is one shaped by ever-present conflict. From antiquity to the present, we define ourselves by our alliances, by whose side we take and by those we oppose. We do so largely without giving it thought. And here is the problem, it is but a small step from seeing this as the way things are to seeing this as the way things are meant to be. In other words, we necessarily learn or study conflict or war, if you like, as the way to make life work. We do so because this is the way things are and how they are meant to be.

Micah (and Isaiah), boldly speak of a change of curriculum, a new course of study in the way life is to work. Here God is the instructor for all to study peace, and never again to learn war. This is the vision of what is to come. Oh, be assured, it will come. In the meantime, we can get a jump start by challenging the status-quo. As Jesus’ followers, may we look to him, with intention, as from whom we can listen and learn “the things that make for peace” as the way God means life to be lived (see Luke 19:41-42). 

 “Peace be with you.”