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Isaiah 11

Isaiah 11 introduces a prophecy about the coming Messiah, who will reign with righteousness, wisdom, and justice. It describes the peace and harmony that will characterize His reign, including the transformation of nature and the gathering of God's people. This chapter highlights both the spiritual renewal and the future hope for Israel and all nations under the reign of the Messiah.

Isaiah 11:1 (NKJV)
1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

The Messiah is described as a “Rod” and a “Branch” from the family of Jesse, the father of King David. Though the Davidic dynasty had declined, it will produce a new king—Jesus Christ—who will restore and lead with divine wisdom. The image of a shoot growing from a stump symbolizes hope, renewal, and God’s fulfillment of His promises.

Isaiah 11:2 (NKJV)
2 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.

The Messiah will be filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering Him with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and reverence for God. These attributes highlight the perfect leadership of Christ, who is not guided by earthly wisdom but by the Spirit of God, ensuring justice and righteousness.

Isaiah 11:3-5 (NKJV)
3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.

The Messiah will not judge based on appearances but will discern perfectly with righteousness and fairness. He will advocate for the poor and oppressed and will bring justice against the wicked. His reign will be characterized by righteousness and faithfulness, ensuring a just and moral order in the world.

Isaiah 11:6-9 (NKJV)
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s 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.

These verses describe a future time of peace and harmony in nature under the Messiah’s reign. Natural enemies, like the wolf and lamb, will coexist peacefully, symbolizing the transformation of the world. This peace extends to human life, where even the most vulnerable, such as children, will live without fear. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of God, bringing an end to violence and danger.

Isaiah 11:10 (NKJV)
10 And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.

The “Root of Jesse” will be a signal for all nations, not just Israel. The Gentiles will seek Him, recognizing His authority and leadership. This shows the global impact of the Messiah, who will bring salvation to all peoples, and His kingdom will be one of peace and glory.

Isaiah 11:11-12 (NKJV)
11 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 who are left, from Assyria and Egypt, from Pathros and Cush, from Elam and Shinar, from Hamath and the islands of the sea.
12 He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

The Lord will gather His people from all over the world, bringing back the remnant of Israel. This second gathering signifies God’s ongoing faithfulness to His promises. It also reveals His intention to restore not just Israel but to bring all nations under His reign. The banner symbolizes the Messiah as a unifying figure for both Jews and Gentiles.

Isaiah 11:13 (NKJV)
13 Also the envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim.

This verse envisions unity among the tribes of Israel. The longstanding divisions between Ephraim (representing the northern tribes) and Judah (the southern tribes) will end. Under the Messiah, there will be harmony and peace within the nation, as all jealousy and rivalry are removed.

Isaiah 11:14 (NKJV)
14 But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west; together they shall plunder the people of the East; they shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; and the people of Ammon shall obey them.

Israel will gain victory over its enemies. This verse describes how the unified Israel, under the Messiah’s reign, will conquer surrounding nations, symbolizing God’s protection and the ultimate triumph of His people over their adversaries.

Isaiah 11:15-16 (NKJV)
15 The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; with His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, and strike it in the seven streams, and make men cross over dryshod.
16 There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will be left from Assyria, as it was for Israel in the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.

Just as God parted the Red Sea for Israel to escape Egypt, He will again make a way for His people to return from exile. This miraculous deliverance will allow the remnant of Israel to return to their homeland from Assyria, echoing the Exodus. The imagery of a highway symbolizes a clear, direct path for God’s people to come home, representing His ultimate deliverance and faithfulness.

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