Isaiah 11:1-10 Word to Israel, Glorious Hope P1
Again, Isaiah culminates his message with a look ahead to the hope that God’s people enjoy. As with the parallel passage in chapter 9, the focus is on the divine King to come, the Messiah. This passage holds tremendous hope and relevance for the church today, as much it did in Isaiah’s day.
The Messiah is both the “shoot” (v.1) and the “root” (v.10) of Jesse. This ties the Messiah into the line of David—as it should—but in a peculiar way. Instead of saying that the Messiah is a descendant or offspring of David, it references David’s father. He is not just in the line of David; He is a new David. And, He is not just the shoot, He is the Root. The Messiah was before Jesse and David, He bore them.
The Messiah, Isaiah prophecies, will be full of the Spirit of YHWH. Isaiah goes on the describe Him as having the Spirit in six qualities: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge of YHWH, and Fear of YHWH. Wisdom to understand the principles of creation and reality. Knowledge to know how that understanding applies to every situation. Counsel to devise the right course forward, and Might to execute that course. Knowing YHWH and Fearing YHWH mean that the Messiah would have an intimate knowledge and relationship with God. This is the description of a superhuman. The Messiah would not just come as a gifted man. He would be divine.
“His delight shall be in the fear of YHWH.” Literally, the delight here is the scent. This is the way God is described as enjoying the scent of sacrifices. The Messiah will enjoy the fear of YHWH in that way. He will execute a perfect reign in the will of YHWH. He does not judge by appearances, by sight or report. He will make right decisions and judgements. He will be for the poor and oppressed but will judge them fairly as well. They will be treated rightly, not preferentially. Righteousness and faithfulness will be His quality as ruler.
The Kingdom of the Messiah will be the Kingdom of YHWH and will be a return to the perfection of Eden. Predator and prey will no longer be in conflict, they will live together and be under the lordship of mankind. Even babies and children will be safe from all creation. Even the serpent that played a role in the fall and death of humanity will no longer be a threat.
In the Kingdom of God, the nations—not just Israel—will come to the Messiah for His rule, wisdom, and salvation…
The Messiah is both the “shoot” (v.1) and the “root” (v.10) of Jesse. This ties the Messiah into the line of David—as it should—but in a peculiar way. Instead of saying that the Messiah is a descendant or offspring of David, it references David’s father. He is not just in the line of David; He is a new David. And, He is not just the shoot, He is the Root. The Messiah was before Jesse and David, He bore them.
The Messiah, Isaiah prophecies, will be full of the Spirit of YHWH. Isaiah goes on the describe Him as having the Spirit in six qualities: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge of YHWH, and Fear of YHWH. Wisdom to understand the principles of creation and reality. Knowledge to know how that understanding applies to every situation. Counsel to devise the right course forward, and Might to execute that course. Knowing YHWH and Fearing YHWH mean that the Messiah would have an intimate knowledge and relationship with God. This is the description of a superhuman. The Messiah would not just come as a gifted man. He would be divine.
“His delight shall be in the fear of YHWH.” Literally, the delight here is the scent. This is the way God is described as enjoying the scent of sacrifices. The Messiah will enjoy the fear of YHWH in that way. He will execute a perfect reign in the will of YHWH. He does not judge by appearances, by sight or report. He will make right decisions and judgements. He will be for the poor and oppressed but will judge them fairly as well. They will be treated rightly, not preferentially. Righteousness and faithfulness will be His quality as ruler.
The Kingdom of the Messiah will be the Kingdom of YHWH and will be a return to the perfection of Eden. Predator and prey will no longer be in conflict, they will live together and be under the lordship of mankind. Even babies and children will be safe from all creation. Even the serpent that played a role in the fall and death of humanity will no longer be a threat.
In the Kingdom of God, the nations—not just Israel—will come to the Messiah for His rule, wisdom, and salvation…
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