STRANGE, indeed, when viewed from the standpoint of human knowledge, seems the prophecy contained in the eleventh chapter of Isaiah which reads, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." Types more different than these, the one from the other, could hardly have been mentioned; but as we learn through the teachings of Christian Science to resolve "things into thoughts" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 269), we see that Isaiah, through an easily understood illustration, was prophesying the effect of the coming of the Christ, Truth, to human consciousness, an effect which, later, was most plainly made visible in the life and works of Jesus, the Way-shower.
When we discern that moral courage is typified by the lion and inoffensiveness by the lamb, we see pictured in this prophetic utterance the symmetry of a Truth-governed consciousness; for moral courage untempered by inoffensiveness is like justice without mercy, and inoffensiveness without courage is like words without deeds. We need both types of thought: boldness, courage, fearlessness, as represented by the wolf, the lion, and the leopard, and also purity, innocence, and gentleness, as indicated by the lamb, the kid, and the calf. And how can such qualities do anything less than dwell harmoniously together when the childlike thought of trustful, humble obedience is leading them; when there is a willingness to follow the dictates of Truth alone, irrespective of praise or blame, without reverting to preconceived opinions or desires, trusting to no human counsel or guidance, but listening to and following the direction of the divine Mind? Boldness and daring, untempered by the gentler qualities, may become self-assertive, leaving in their wake a feeling of retaliation or of hurt inferiority. Humility, when inspired, knows full well that there are not many minds, but one Mind, God, governing and directing His creation with unerring wisdom.
Doubtless it was the fine balancing of these Godlike qualities in him that made David the one best fitted to deliver the armies of Israel from the counterfeit opposite in the person of Goliath, who showed forth the undesirable characteristics of arrogance and pride of human strength and power. We find that this lad David, fearless and openly depending on God alone, was free from self-glorification or pride of daring, humbly and confidently claiming, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." Likewise Daniel, having through the conspiracy of envy and jealousy been cast into the lions' den, and having courageously and availingly encountered these animal elements, was found meekly and in childlike gratitude saying to the king, whom evil had made an unwitting instrument in sending him into this trial, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me."
