1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6 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.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
11 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
15 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make [men] go over dryshod.
16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 11
Isaiah Chapter 11 presents a prophetic vision of hope and restoration, highlighting the coming of a future leader, often interpreted as the Messiah, who will bring peace and righteousness. This chapter emphasizes the qualities of this leader and the transformative impact of his reign on both humanity and creation.
Key Themes
- The Righteous Branch: The chapter begins by introducing the figure of the “shoot from the stump of Jesse,” symbolizing new life and hope arising from a seemingly dead lineage.
- The Spirit of the Lord: The anointing of the leader with the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord highlights the divine empowerment of this figure.
- Justice and Righteousness: The leader is characterized by his commitment to justice and righteousness, particularly for the poor and meek, indicating a radical shift in societal norms.
- Peaceful Coexistence: The imagery of natural enemies living in harmony reflects a profound transformation in creation, suggesting a restoration of the original order of peace.
Detailed Analysis
The Righteous Branch (Verses 1-2)
The chapter opens with a metaphorical description of a “shoot” that will emerge from the “stump of Jesse.” This imagery suggests that although the Davidic line may appear to be cut off or diminished, God will bring forth a new leader who will restore Israel. The mention of Jesse, David’s father, connects this figure to the Davidic covenant and the promises made to Israel.
- Symbolism of the Stump: The stump represents the remnants of the Davidic dynasty, indicating that God’s plans are not thwarted by human failure.
- Characteristics of the Leader: The leader will possess the Spirit of the Lord, which includes wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, suggesting a divine authority that surpasses human capability.
Justice and Righteousness (Verses 3-5)
The qualities of the leader are further elaborated, emphasizing his commitment to justice. Unlike earthly rulers who may be swayed by appearances or wealth, this leader will judge with righteousness and equity. His focus on the poor and meek indicates a preferential option for the marginalized, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic literature.
- Judgment and Equity: The leader’s ability to discern truth and act justly underscores the divine nature of his rule.
- Righteousness as a Belt: The imagery of righteousness and faithfulness as clothing symbolizes the intrinsic nature of this leader’s character.
Peaceful Coexistence (Verses 6-9)
In a striking vision of peace, the chapter describes a future where natural enemies coexist harmoniously. The wolf dwelling with the lamb and the leopard lying with the goat illustrate a radical transformation of the natural order, pointing to the peace that will characterize the leader’s reign.
- Symbolic Animals: Each animal represents various aspects of creation, suggesting that the leader’s influence will extend beyond humanity to the entire world.
- Restoration of Creation: This imagery reflects the biblical theme of shalom, a holistic peace that encompasses all relationships—between God, humanity, and nature.
Global Recognition (Verses 10-16)
The chapter concludes with a vision of the leader being a signal for the nations. This suggests that the impact of his reign will not be limited to Israel but will extend to all peoples. The gathering of the remnant of Israel from all corners of the earth signifies God’s faithfulness to his covenant people.
- Universal Appeal: The mention of the nations seeking the leader indicates a recognition of divine authority and the desire for peace and justice.
- Restoration of Israel: The remnant motif emphasizes hope for restoration and the fulfillment of God’s promises despite historical challenges.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 11 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s promise to restore and renew creation through a righteous leader. The themes of justice, peace, and divine empowerment resonate throughout the chapter, offering hope to a weary people and pointing towards a future where God’s kingdom is realized on earth.
