Isaiah 11:1-16 & Isaiah 12:1-6
Q.1. Who is this STEM/STUMP of Jesse Who will bear fruit? What will characterize Him? What will His rule be like? How do we know that His reign is yet future? (Isa.11:1-9)
Isaiah had prophesied God’s destruction of the nation – the tree would be cut down. Yet unexpectedly, from this stump a stem would eventually shoot forth and bear fruit. The stem was identified as coming from Jesse’s line (Isa.11:1 c.f. Mt.1:6; Lk.3:32). In other words, God will fulfil the promises made in His covenant with Jesse’s son, King David (2 Sam.7:12-17; Lk.1:32-33). He will be much greater than David, the sinner – 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And He will delight in the fear of the Lord … (Isa.11:2-3). This reign is yet future and embraces the Millennial Reign of Christ over the earth, after the Second Coming of Christ – But with righteousness He will judge the poor and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked (Isa.11:4 c.f. Rev.19:15; 20:4&6). The conditions of earth will be similar to those in the Garden of Eden – 6 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. 7 Also the cow and the bear will graze. Their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den (Isa.11:6-8). With Satan bound for a thousand years, there will be an international peace that this world system has never been able to broker – They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain. For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isa.11:9 c.f. Rev.20:1-3). The Truth will no longer be veiled, and He will dwell among us.
Q.2. How widely will this One be recognized? What will be Israel’s place in this Kingdom? How will God reverse the fortunes of His people? – (Isa.11:10-16)
All the nations will recognize this Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of Jesse. He will be the focal point and centre of attention – Then in that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious (Isa.11:10 c.f. Isa.2:3; Mic.4:2). At this time, the Lord will again visit His people, as He did when He saved them out of Egypt (Isa.11:11&16). God will raise up a standard for the nations, and Israel’s enemies will have a change of heart, as Jesus gathers His people from the four corners of the earth (Isa.11:12-13). Israel’s opponents will be destroyed, and God will remove the jealousy between her neighbours (Isa.11:14-15). There will even be a highway from Assyria to Israel, as Christ ushers in real peace (Isa.11:16).
Q.3. What is the theme of this song? Why is the nation joyful? Who is responsible for Zion’s gladness? When will this take place? – (Isa.12:1-6)
Not only has Israel previously rejected their Messiah, but they also continue to do so. Isaiah foresaw a time when all that would change for a future remnant of His people – 1 Then you will say on that day, “I will give thanks to You, O Lord; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. 2 “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (Isa.12:1-2 c.f. Zech.12:10; 13:1; Rom.11:25-27). Israel will rejoice at last, with their Messiah dwelling in their midst – 4 And in that day, you will say, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.” 5 Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth. 6 Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel (Isa.12:4-6).