‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb’, Isa. 11. 6
Wolves are the largest and most powerful members of the biological family of animals including dogs, foxes, and coyotes. There are three distinct species of wolves: the grey wolf, the most widespread and varied, with over thirty subspecies; the red wolf; and the Abyssinian wolf. They differ in size, colour, environment, and behaviour.
In the biblical record, the wolf is a beast to be feared. As a carnivore, it hunts in packs and feeds upon other animals that it captures and kills. Speaking of the sheep under the care of the hireling, the Lord warned of the consequences of the attack of the wolf, ‘the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep’, John 10. 12. The ‘catch’ involves extreme violence and causes terror amongst the other sheep who fly in every direction. Similarly, Paul informed the Ephesian elders that ‘after … [his] departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock’, Acts 20. 29. Their reputation as merciless killers seems cemented.
With that reputation in mind, it is interesting to read of the difference that will be effected in the animal during the millennial reign of Christ. The prophet Isaiah tells us that ‘the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb’, Isa. 11. 6. To inhabit the same space means that the wolf’s carnivorous nature will disappear. The lamb’s natural fear of becoming the wolf’s next victim will be removed. The change in feeding habits is confirmed later in the prophecy, ‘The wolf and the lamb shall feed together’, 65. 25. As the verse goes on to suggest, the carnivores will become herbivores and they, the wolf and the lion, ‘shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain’.
What a transformation the Lord will bring upon the earth when He comes to reign! For the believer, we look forward to a change that will come sooner. Paul reminds us, ‘In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality’, 1 Cor. 15. 52, 53.
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