More In Common Than We Realize

Today, I'm thinking about how hopeful Isaiah 2 is to me. If you are willing to stretch your comfort zone, read on.

In the book of Isaiah, chapter 2:2-5, we read this poetry:

"This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord."
(Source: The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984, Grand Rapids: Zondervan.)

Now I do not claim to be a Biblical or historical scholar, but it is arguable that Isaiah is prophesying about what is probably the most hotly contested piece of real estate on earth--the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (also known to the Muslim world as The Dome of the Rock).

According to the Jewish Virtual Library:

The Temple Mount (Heb., Har Habayit; Arabic, Haram esh-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary),is identified in both Jewish and Islamic tradition as the area of Mount Moriah where Abraham offered up his son in sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-18; the Koran, Sura Al-Saffat 37:102-110).

Here King Solomon built the First Temple almost 3,000 years ago. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, but 70 years later Jews returning from exile built the Second Temple on the same site. King Herod refashioned it into an edifice of great splendor.

In Muslim tradition, the place is also identified as the "furthermost sanctuary" (Arabic, masjid al-aksa) from which the Prophet Mohammed, accompanied by the Angel Gabriel, made the Night Journey to the Throne of God (The Koran, Sura Al-Isra’ 17:1).

Following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70, the area of the Temple was deliberately left in ruins (first by the Romans, then by the Byzantines). This desecration was not redressed until the Muslim conquest of the city by the Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab in 638. He ordered the clearing of the site and the building of a "house of prayer".

To that, I say: "Wow!" This piece of property in Jerusalem has religious significance for three of the primary religions of the world: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

Isn't it interesting that in our day, these three faith systems struggle to get along. Each claims somewhat of an exclusivity in its approach to the spiritual world and to God, Yahweh, Allah.
Think of all the conflict and struggle undertaken to possess this land by each of these faiths over the centuries.

This is truly Holy Ground--for millions of people from multiple faiths.

Take another look at Isaiah 2:2:

"In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it."

The Temple mount has been established, in some sense, as the chief among mountains. Nations do stream to it today. Muslim's, Christians, and Jews pilgrimage to this holy site so central to each faith system.

This passage prophesies that this mount will bring the nations together in unity (2:3):

"Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

To me, there is mystery and hope in this prophesy.

Mystery, because it makes me wonder why God has drawn so many faith systems to this one point in His created space.

It makes me wonder why such important events in each of these faith systems has taken place at this one point in His created space.

It makes me ponder that, even though these faith systems seem so diverse, they are actually very much related to one another (we all hearken back to Father Abraham).

It challenges me to consider if our diverse faith systems in some way create a "mosaic" picture of who God truly is and what God is like.

(This line of thinking probably makes some of my fundamental Christian brothers and sisters uncomfortable, and that's okay. I'm probing and exploring here and sometimes that is uncomfortable. However, I am comfortable enough in my own faith in God to know that I don't have all the answers. I don't believe that anyone yet in history has locked down the most accurate theology, doctrine, or rituals to define and relate to our Creator. We look through a glass dimly shaded....)

This passage also gives me hope.

Hope, because in spite of all the strife, war, and tension between these three major faiths, God's word tells us that this Holy Hill will one day be a source of peace, justice, and harmony. Look at the rest of the passage:

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

This Holy Mountain, so important to each of these faiths, is to be the source of inspiration, mediation, and cooperation.

As heirs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we all need to consider heeding the call of Isaiah in 2:5:

"Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord."

Let's journey upward and onward together, resisting the temptation to judge one another based on our differences; while embracing our diversity to learn more about who we are and Whose we are.