The big dream that animates the Book of Isaiah is the dream of a future time of perfect peace—basically the exact opposite of what's been going on throughout the course of the book, what with all its examples of annihilation and total war. The wolf and the lamb are able snuggle together, hang out, watch Friends re-runs—whatever. This is also tied up with Messianic dreams, and for Christians, the redemptive mission of Jesus, who they usually identify with Isaiah's suffering servant.
Questions About Dreams, Hopes, and Plans
- Why does a "little child" lead the people in the future era of peace? What could be the symbolic meaning of that?
- Do people themselves have a role to play in bringing this about? Or is it all God's doing?
- How do other nations relate to the people of Judah and Israel in the future? How is the relationship changed?
- Why does God create a new heaven and a new earth? What does that say about the old heaven and the old earth?