How can wolves live with lambs, and how can leopards dwell with goats (Isaiah 11:6-9)?
Isaiah 11:6-9
English Standard Version
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
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Tim Maas
Supporter
In the current fallen world, the conditions described would/could not exist. However, in the restored earth that the redeemed (along with all other living creatures) will inhabit in eternity (the earth mentioned by John in Revelation 21, and to which Isaiah was prophetically referring in the passage cited in the question), there will be no blood shed, either through sin or the killing of animals (by humans or by other animals) for food, prey, or for other purposes (such as the use of animal skins for clothing (Genesis 3:21)), just as death will no longer be present. The natures of all life will be fundamentally changed to the exclusive use of plants or vegetation for food, and the "white robes" described in Revelation 7:9-17 provided by God for clothing.
Donna Williams
Supporter
Isaiah 11 is a prophecy of the Millennial reign of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. It will be a time of peace and rest, hence the animals that are mentioned will be able to dwell together. It also speaks about children being able to play in areas that would otherwise be harmful to them. See verses 9-10 for a description of what it shall be like during the reign of Christ.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Why can't a wolf lie down with a lamb today? Because the only way they can be together is if the lamb is already lying down... inside the wolf! But in the future, everything will change! "His kingdom [God's kingdom] will also mean a restored creation because nature will once again enjoy the harmony it enjoyed before sin entered in (Isa. 11:6-9; Rom. 8:18-25)." -- Warren Wiersbe - -The-Wiersbe-Bible-Commentary-Old-Testame-90.pdf Romans 8:18-25 in the King James Version says, 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, awaiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience await for it.
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