Then the wolf will be subdued and live with the gentle lamb, and the leopards will lie down with the gentle lamb. The young calf and the ferocious lion will be together, and as a shepherd drives his flock, a small child will guide them along! Isaiah 11:6 TPT

The passage lists 15 animals, some with good qualities and some bad with dangerous characteristics. These animals represent human nature, which rebels and fights against God until it finally submits and is subdued and tamed. Once we are humbled before God, we become gentle and are not a danger to hurt others. This is a picture of the transforming power of God.

I watched my own father go through this catharsis after having a heart attack and rethinking his whole life. He went from harsh to gentle, selfish to sharing and from proud and arrogant to gentle and kind.

Imagine a world when the one who leads is the most humble, the most childlike. What would our world be like if gentleness rather than self-preservation was the highest virtue? This would require us overcoming selfishness, fear, and mistrust from past trauma and wounds we carry. We would have to be so secure in God’s love that we didn’t require anything from people because we are so satisfied and fulfilled in God.

The wolves and lions don’t become sheep. They submit their strength to God and become safe for others to be around.

That is the world Isaiah prophesied and the transforming”Kingdom of God” Jesus died to bring one changed life at a time.