Under Your Grapevine

 

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 it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations 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 many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; 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; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. (Micah 4:1-4 ESV).

 

While I haven’t visited my Dad’s home of origin, I have many visions of what it might have been like for some of the older folks. Cefalu is located on the northern coast of Sicily, very near Palermo. It is built into the mountainside of this part of the island. They are most known for their olives, though there are figs and grapes grown there for export as well. I can imagine in the days of my grandfather how the families of the neighborhood might have gathered at someone’s house to relax from a day’s work, sitting under an arbor to enjoy fresh baked bread, seasoned olive oil for dipping, and perhaps a glass of wine. Conversation would have been lively with the tales of the day. Those times must have been the highlight of everyone’s life.

 

The word pictures we find in our reading today point to full life in the kingdom of God, which Jesus will fully establish on this earth when he comes again. Other Bible passages give us similar pictures of peace and joyful abundance (cf. Isaiah 25:1-9; 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-5), and even now we can see signs and catch glimpses of God’s sustaining care and his work among us in this world. I really like the way Micah sees it: they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken (v. 4).

 

The pressures and hectic pace of life are intensified by the dangers and deep-seated hatred among nations that we hear about in the daily news, but for all who are saved, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We have a Shepherd who watches over us, and there is no need to fear. We know that although there is enmity between nations and we will face struggles in life, God is sovereign and his everlasting kingdom will prevail. Now that is good news!