이사야 Chapter 11

Translation: ESV

1

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

Key Message

Even in the most desperate situation God prepares new life, and the Messiah will emerge unexpectedly from the declining Davidic dynasty.

▸This is a promise of salvation continuing from the tree-felling image of Isaiah 10:33-34.

This is a promise of salvation continuing from the tree-felling image of Isaiah 10:33-34. Just as a new shoot sprouts from a felled stump, even as the Davidic dynasty declines, the Messiah will arise from the root of Jesse (David's father). This is one of the most important messianic prophecies in Isaiah.

Related Verses

And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope."
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 the fear of the LORD.

Key Message

The Messiah is filled with God's Spirit, and with this Spirit's power he will exercise just and wise governance.

▸Six characteristics of the Spirit of the LORD that will rest upon the Messiah are described: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the LORD.

3

And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

Key Message

True justice comes from insight grounded in God's Spirit rather than outward evidence, and the Messiah's rule is characterized by this perfect justice.

▸The Messiah's manner of governance is described.

4

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Key Message

The Messiah's rule is complete justice for the poor and the meek, and his very word possesses the power of judgment and salvation.

▸The core of the Messiah's rule is justice for the poor and the meek.

5

Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Key Message

Righteousness and faithfulness are the two core pillars of the Messiah's rule, and they are the basis of all his actions.

▸The Messiah's character is depicted as armor.

6

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.

Key Message

The Messiah's rule brings fundamental reconciliation and peace to the created world, and this is the restoration of creation's original shalom.

▸A new created order begins under the Messiah's rule.

7

The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Key Message

Under the Messiah's rule, all the violent order of the created world is transformed and the original good order of creation is restored.

▸The predators bear and lion become herbivores.

8

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.

Key Message

The Messiah's rule creates a world where even the most vulnerable is completely safe before the most dangerous, and this is the restoration of Eden before the fall.

▸The most vulnerable being—a nursing infant—and the most dangerous being—a venomous snake—coexist safely.

9

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Key Message

The source of true peace is the fullness of the knowledge of God, and this is the heart of the messianic kingdom.

▸The core characteristic of the messianic kingdom is that the 'knowledge of the LORD' is full.

10

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Key Message

The Messiah's salvation is not limited to Israel but is universal salvation encompassing all peoples.

▸The Messiah will be not merely a king of Israel but 'a signal for the peoples.

11

In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.

Key Message

God will surely gather his people scattered throughout the world, and this new Exodus will be greater than the first.

▸'Extend his hand yet a second time' alludes to a repetition of the Exodus.

12

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Key Message

God will surely gather his scattered people, and this salvation is accomplished by God's sovereign action.

▸The Messiah will raise a signal (banner) to announce to the nations and will gather scattered Israel and Judah.

13

The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim.

Key Message

The Messiah's rule heals historical divisions and conflicts and completely reconciles God's people as one.

▸The historical enmity between Ephraim (northern Israel) and Judah will come to an end.

14

But they shall swoop down on the shoulder of the Philistines to the west, and together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put out their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.

Key Message

Restored God's people achieve victory over enemies, and God's kingdom overcomes everything.

▸The restored Israel will achieve victory over surrounding nations.

15

And the LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt, and will wave his hand over the River with his scorching breath, and strike it into seven channels, and he will lead people across in sandals.

Key Message

God will make a way again for his people as at the Exodus, and past salvation is the guarantee of future salvation.

▸The image of the new Exodus continues.

16

And there will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that remains of his people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.

Key Message

God will make a new way in history for the remnant, accomplishing salvation greater than the first Exodus.

▸The final verse of chapter 11 concludes with the promise of a new Exodus.