ONE Hope

Intro: The Great Mountain

Isaiah 2:1–2 ESV

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,

This prophecy, as is with many prophesies, is deeply rooted in metaphor. Isaiah speaks of the coming time when the mountain on which the temple sits (in Jerusalem) shall be established as the highest of the mountains, above all the hills surrounding it.

As I’m sure you could surmise for yourself in our metaphor the size and height of a mountain directly relates to its grandeur and the place of importance it holds for the area. Even though K2 is a much more challenging and elite mountain to climb in the Himalayas its brother Mt. Everest gets all the attention because its the tallest. (In fact it has comparatively greater height from base to peak that Everest.)

The highest mountain peak serves as the fundamental landmark and point of orientation. Just as we sit in the shadow of Mount Rose. No matter where you are in the valley inside or outside.... where is Mount Rose? Exactly.

It also offers the best vantage point from which to see your world.

*So keep in the back of your mind: The highest of mountains displays greatness & grandeur, it serves as landmark and vantage point.

Falling to the wayside:

This prophecy is nestled into a very troubling message for Israel and for Judah. They have been looking to the wrong mountains....

Isaiah 2:6–8 ESV

For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made.

Its not a new story for God’s people. Straying away from the life God intended with Him. Adam & Eve, three kids: One exiled after killing his brother. Noah & the Tower of Babel when God splits all the people of the world and sends them out around the world. Abraham to Ismael then Isaac. The kingdom of God splits into Judah and Israel. Things have gotten so derailed, lost and confused.

Things have gotten really bad:

Economy requires 2 incomes. $46,000 average home income in 2016 April 19: $386,000 average cost of single family dwelling which with todays debt requires an $80,000 income.

Schedules:

Anxiety, depression, and suicide:

Shall Flow to it

Isaiah 2:2 ESV

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE LORD’S REIGN

Isaiah 2:3–4 ESV

and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Come Home:

Micah 4:6–7 ESV

In that day, declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forevermore.

Prepare the way:

Amos 5:24 ESV

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.