Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-05-06
ny REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.
ISAIAHS IDEAL FOR A
WORLD AT STRIFE.
Isaiah, 2.2-4, ILL.,.
Golden text: Come we. and
let us walk in the light OF
Jehovah."-Isaia 2.5.

| let us walk in the light or
Jehovah."-Isaiah, 2.5.
Isaiah lived in an age marked by
international treachery and an
tagonism. Judah's position as a
buffer state caused frequent discus
sions of international problems in
Jerusalem. The prophet saw the cor
ruption of the priests. princes and
people of his generation. He noted
the alienation of classes that existed
between the upper and lower social
groups. which, manifested itself in
the differences that existed between
the rich and the poor. The seer saw
how war intensified these divisions
and differences. He perceived ina.
it was due to the abandonment OF
their faith in Jehovah and as
consequence their disregard or their
relation to others. He saw his land
suffering from the horrors of war
In the darkness and despair of his
times God gave to the prophet a
vision of an era of universal peace:
based upon the eternal principles OF
religion 1t is this ideal for a world
at strife that we are to study this
week in our Sunday school lesson.
We have lived in a period that has
turned our minds from the conslo-
era ton of national to that OF inter-
national problems. We have seen
the world engulfed in a titanic con-
dict. that surpassed all other wars
in it's horrors and losses. 1t came
when men were dreaming that the
day of peace had already dawned
and that the nations of the eartn
had entered upon new era or sood
will. Commerce and culture had re-
los
nation. The continents had been
linked together by steam and cleo
tricity Treaties and covenants hao
sought to make an end OF strlIe;
but they failed because the world
had forgotten God and the princl-
,, pies of brotherhood. In the after
nath of war we have seen Inter
national affairs assume the first page
in the press and in the minds OF
statesmen. Gladstone pointed out
the fact that European intercourse
with the uncivilized has, without eX-
ception, been disastrous. unless at
| tended by missionary eXertions. The
n, ssionarv carries the ideal of Isaiah
! to the nations. staggering as a re-
suit of strife and war. as the way
to permanent peace Ireatles. con
| ferences, associations and leagues
will succeed only in so far as they
| ,nnIy the ideal of Isaiah. or the
| principles of Jesus. to the problem
Of reconstruction. Permanent peace
IS impossible without a religious
! foundation. which lsalan Pieuac.ea
would come with the establishment
of the Messianic Kingdom.
; Roth Isaiah and Micah give US in the
same language the picture OF the
| coming glory, when in the latter
DAYS there would be established the
~ule of the Messiah in Jerusalem. The
coming of this kingdom has been
source of spiritual comfort and en-
couragement to the Jews in all ages
of difficulty and trial. Every prophet
has had his vision of the latter days,
which is the equivalent OF the mes
sianic times" The words of Isaiah
tell of that hour when Jerusalem VIII
be the spiritual capital of the world
He saw the hour coming when the
fame of the Messiah would be so
great that heather nations would
bring their disputes to Him to settle.
Isaiah looked forward to the period
when all nations would he so dis
custed' with war that they would
turn toward an international trl-
bunal, whose Impartial decisions
would be based upon law that was
founded upon religious principles and
ideals. He saw nations proposing
that their differences be settled not
Nv the force of arms. but by arbitra
tion that would settle their disputes
in accordance with the teachings of
God. Men are now separated by diff
ference in law, language and life, but
when they are brought under one law
the nations will become united by the
IDEALS of Jehovah. 1t is the spiritual
supremacy of the Messiah that Will
attract men of all lands to Him as the
Judge. The precepts. promise and
nrophecy of Gods word will enlight-
an men by it's revelation of the prin-
(inles of action toward Jehovah and
! men.
Under the rule of the Messiah all
! questions will be decided quickly and
settled right. SO that people will glad
" accent the decisions of the world
! ;nonartial Judge. Twelve years ago
the president Of The, Hague tribunal,
which was established largely
through the, influence of American
Christians, declared when the United
States and Great Britain presented
their century-old fisheries contro-
versv to that court for settlement
thar bv so doing the two govern
| ments have set an example to the
whole community of nations, and have
acquired a new merit In the sublime
cause of international justice and
peace.
then. according to the prophecy of
both Isaiah and Micah, men Will be
moved by the success of arbitration to
do away with war and turn the
l weapons OF "dTldIc Iulo
! for the development of agriculture.
the picture that the snd prophet has
| world the burden of militarism has
been removed forever d from the a sh9 fpis
+, hour RI see that, day which filled the
E; souls of the prophets with. such en-
{. couragement. Nevertheless the ideals
i M Isaiah for a world at strife point
+: the way out for the nations who are
I struggling to get back to normally.
THE Lords return of the Christian
! holds the same hope as does the Mes
! sianic rule of the prophet, that
| nromises the coming of the hour,
when nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, nor learn war any
more
of the saviors of his people in the
personality Of the Messiah. a second
| navid. who would be of David's house.
Jesus met these conditions. .Joseph.
according to Matthew, was the son
| of Jacob. According to Luke. the son
of He'll He could not be the actual
49, CpFE msTRucTIoN IN THE