Swords Into Plowshares
Passage: Micah 4:1-5
After judgment, a vision of the last days.
Overview
Nations stream to the LORD's house. 'They shall beat their swords into plowshares... neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree.'
Going deeper
God's future is peace. 'Vine and fig tree' pictures secure, quiet blessing.
Key verses (KJV)
- Micah 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
- Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.
From the commentaries
3. rebuke—convict of sin (Joh 16:8, 9); and subdue with judgments (Ps 2:5, 9; 110:5, 6; Re 2:27; 12:5). many people … strong nations afar off—In Isa 2:4 it is "the nations … many people."
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
The Prophet here describes the fruit of Divine truth, — that God would restore all nations to such gentleness, that they would study to cultivate fraternal peace among themselves, and that all would consult the good of others, having laid aside every desire for doing harm. As then he has lately showed, that the Church of God could not be otherwise formed than by the Word, and that the legitimate worship of God cannot be set up and continued, except where God is honored with the obedience of faith; ...
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)
Application
- What would 'sitting under your vine and fig tree' mean today?
- How can you work for peace now?
- Why do nations come to learn God's ways?