“The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young’s ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle. An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den. They will not harm or destroy each other on my entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is filled with water” (Isaiah 11.6-9).

Jesus is King of Kings. He is eternally sovereign. But not all kings and nations are subjected to His rule at present. There is coming a day when that will change. These verses illustrate the beauty, gentleness, and peace of that change. 

It doesn’t matter how benevolent a leader’s intentions have been or will be. Sinful human leaders cannot do what Jesus has done or will do. As believers, we have experienced the peace and hope of reconciliation with God. We are kingdom citizens. We are children of God. However, sin and darkness still effect our lives. 

The earth will be filled one day with the knowledge of the LORD. This word knowledge is not just a head knowledge but also a heart knowledge. It is knowledge put into practice. It is intimate and experiential. Do you count all other things as rubbish so that you may win Christ? Do you seek to know Him and the power of His resurrection? The fellowship of His sufferings? Are you seeking to be conformed to His death (Philippians 3.10)? 

Take heart. The knowledge of the LORD will fill the earth one day. Every knee will bow to Christ and all the nations will serve Him. Jesus will reign on the throne of David. The world will enjoy peace and the animals will dwell in harmony – even the people who act like animals today.

My prayer for believing readers today: May we walk worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of the LORD (Colossians 1.10).