Does anyone know where this phrase originated? I was asked about this by a friend and I could not find it anywhere in Scripture. His question was concerning Isa 11:6.
Thanks
Robert
Here’s a phrase that has morphed from it’s biblical origins. Isaiah wrote about “the wolf dwelling with the lamb while the leopard lies down with the kid… and the young lion” (Isaiah 11:6). Yet, as with a phrase like “Pride goeth before a fall“, it’s the abbreviation that has survived the test of time: the lion shall lie down with the lamb. But however it’s phrased, what could sound more unnatural than a wolf or lion lying down with a lamb? It’s a vision that has drawn mockery from many quarters: – “Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without thorn” (Martin Amis) – “No absolute is going to make the lion lie down with the lamb unless the lamb is inside.” (D.H. Lawrence) – “The lion will lay down with the lamb, but the lamb won’t get much sleep.” (Woody Allen) Isaiah has painted a deliberately provocative scene. Nature, as Tennyson reminded us, is red in tooth and claw. How absurd to think that nature itself could be tamed! What could possibly bring about such a cosmic reversal?
But however it’s phrased, what could sound more unnatural than a wolf or lion lying down with a lamb?
It’s a vision that has drawn mockery from many quarters:
– “Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without thorn” (Martin Amis) – “No absolute is going to make the lion lie down with the lamb unless the lamb is inside.” (D.H. Lawrence) – “The lion will lay down with the lamb, but the lamb won’t get much sleep.” (Woody Allen)
– “Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without thorn” (Martin Amis)
– “No absolute is going to make the lion lie down with the lamb unless the lamb is inside.” (D.H. Lawrence)
– “The lion will lay down with the lamb, but the lamb won’t get much sleep.” (Woody Allen)
Isaiah has painted a deliberately provocative scene. Nature, as Tennyson reminded us, is red in tooth and claw. How absurd to think that nature itself could be tamed! What could possibly bring about such a cosmic reversal?
http://kingsenglish.info/2011/05/26/the-lion-shall-lie-down-with-the-lamb/
Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."
MJ. Smith: Here’s a phrase that has morphed from it’s biblical origins. Isaiah wrote about “the wolf dwelling with the lamb while the leopard lies down with the kid… and the young lion” (Isaiah 11:6). Yet, as with a phrase like “Pride goeth before a fall“, it’s the abbreviation that has survived the test of time: the lion shall lie down with the lamb. But however it’s phrased, what could sound more unnatural than a wolf or lion lying down with a lamb? It’s a vision that has drawn mockery from many quarters: – “Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without thorn” (Martin Amis) – “No absolute is going to make the lion lie down with the lamb unless the lamb is inside.” (D.H. Lawrence) – “The lion will lay down with the lamb, but the lamb won’t get much sleep.” (Woody Allen) Isaiah has painted a deliberately provocative scene. Nature, as Tennyson reminded us, is red in tooth and claw. How absurd to think that nature itself could be tamed! What could possibly bring about such a cosmic reversal? http://kingsenglish.info/2011/05/26/the-lion-shall-lie-down-with-the-lamb/
Around 1:00 minute in the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxYiLzWee84
Lynden Williams Communications
Thank you MJ. I will direct my friend to this web site.
Blessings,