Isaiah 11:1-2
Throughout history, evidence piles on evidence that man cannot rule himself. His throne becomes corrupt from sin, greed and lusts for power. Throughout the ages, mankind longs for a just and righteous king. Isaiah announces that a leader will come from the bloodline of Jess, the Davidic line. This implies a King that will be a 'branch' meaning the messiah.
We saw in the previous chapter that the evil of Judah would be chopped down like a forest but from the stump of that forest a shoot would grow. This rod is a descendant of David would rule forever – see 2 Samuel 7:18. Matthew 2 says He shall be called a Nazarene; Revelation 5 calls Jesus the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
He will have a threefold fullness of the Spirit:
- Wisdom and understanding – for leadership
- Counsel and might – to carry out His wises plans
- Knowledge and the fear of the Lord – for holiness.
Isaiah 11:3-4
The messiah would come, and His delight would be in the fear of the Lord. He wouldn't be deceived by what He saw or what He heard. Jesus would judge matters by the heart.
God will judge with righteousness because He alone is worthy to be judge. He sees into the thoughts of intents of our heart where man mistakenly judged on appearance, hearing or false evidence. The 'rod of His mouth' is a common idiom throughout the bible. The rule of Jesus will be forceful; the rod is used for correction. See Revelation 19:15 and Psalm 2:9. And then with the breath of His lips the slays the wicked. This is another means of bringing physical harm. This shows up in 2 Thessalonians 2:9.
Isaiah 11:5
The messiah will be clothed in righteousness and faithfulness that will be worn like a belt. The belt was used to gather the loose garment together. It showed him to be ready and prepared for conflict. Paul uses the belt in Ephesians 6:11-17 to speak of the full armor of God. To put on the armor is to put on Jesus.
Isaiah 11:6-9
There will be a time when formerly dangerous animals will no longer be dangerous to us or each other. The idea of predator and prey will no longer be part of life. Even a child could lead these animals without fear or threat. This is the millennial kingdom. What we call nature is a norm that includes the affects of a sin-fallen world. A time is coming when the earth will be returned to its intended state (see Romans 8:9-22). Both animals and men that were once enemies will see a day when they will dwell together.
Isaiah 11:10-11
When the messiah comes He will be a banner to the people, the nations will rally to him. The Lord will gather the remnant again – the second time. The first time was the Exodus from Egypt. Some say the second time was from Assyria and Babylon. This wasn't so much a scattering as that which would come later. In 1948 the Jews were once again gathered as a nation from all over the world.
Isaiah 11:12-14
Israel and Judah will be gathered from all over the earth. This continues to go on today. There is no longer a division of Judah and Israel as there was in Isaiah's time. They will be united under the Messiah. The effects will be felt in the land of the Philistines, Edom, Moab and Ammon. These long time enemies of Israel will no longer attack and plunder them but be in submission to them under their King.
Isaiah 11:15-16
Prior to 1948 many bible students argued how this could ever happen. God says that He will make a way just like He made a way for His people when they came out of Egypt. When God called the remnant back to His land there would be nothing to stand in their way.
©2018 Doug Ford
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