Dare to DreamНамуна

Dare to dream of harmony between humans and animals

“The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.” (Isaiah 11:8-9 ESV)

The newspapers are full of alarming reports of deforestation, species extinction and environmental pollution. Nature is being damaged as we deplete the earth, and conversely, natural disasters claim countless human victims. We fail to create a healthy balance between the needs of humans and different species of plants and animals. Harmony is far away. In addition, animals are often cruel to each other, and the expansion of one species comes at the expense of another. All in all, the current situation is far from God's original good creation and only seems to be getting further out of balance. Can things ever be right again?

Not if it depends on us humans, no matter how hard we try. But Isaiah shows us what happens when God's Kingdom breaks through. Then a wolf lives peacefully with a lamb and the young of cow and bear lie side by side. A small child plays happily with a poisonous snake, and no harm is done anywhere. What a picture of paradise! And best of all, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Harmony and happiness on earth find their origin in a restored relationship with God.

What appeals most to you in Isaiah's vision?