Isaiah 11 Commentary
A good teacher uses many examples to explain one point. Isaiah uses countless symbols and images, not to explain a point, but to explain an indefinite number of lines of prophecies that neatly converge on the LORD Jesus Christ. Probably, no other book has this amount of visuals and teaching aids.
Each image has its own context. Therefore, each set of symbols has its own unique taste. Saints who claim that the LORD Jesus Christ is their ‘everything’ would enjoy a journey into these many facets of the same blessing.
The Branch of chapter 4 was a “cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night” Chapter 4 verse 5. This Branch is nothing but the very presence of the El-Shaddai God. Isaiah has lifted Israel’s experiences in the wilderness and projects a similar experience under the future Branch. The Branch will wash away the filth of the women of Zion. There is no mention of David. It’s beyond God’s promise to David.
Chapter 11 anchors its message in the LORD’s promise to David as recorded in Second Samuel 7. But there is more. David’s son is now called the Branch. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him. The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding; the Spirit of counsel and of might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. It is a complete cast!
The Apostle Paul’s armor of Ephesians is probably reflecting verse 5 of this chapter. The Branch has righteousness for his belt and faithfulness as his sash.
To explain his earlier title of the LORD Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, Isaiah uses another interesting image set. The infant will play near the cobra’s den. The wolf will live with the lamb. It is a time of total peace!
However, as warned by the Prince of Peace Himself, this peace isn’t exactly like the peace the world gives!
Isaiah has a global appeal. “In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.” Verse 11.
Salvation in the LORD Jesus Christ isn’t an isolated blessing. All are welcome. All must find their way back to the LORD. It is a global call. We are all included; we are all invited.
The LORD then promises another exodus. Verse 16. An individual enslaved by sin and the desires of the flesh can be rescued. That is what the LORD Jesus Christ does – the Branch.
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