Isaiah 11 - Printer Friendly

What does Isaiah 11 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Isaiah's description turns from God's coming judgment against His people to an amazing future kingdom to come. The Lord had told him that Judah would be reduced to the stump of a once-great tree. Now Isaiah reveals that from that stump of the line of Jesse, a new shoot will emerge into a branch that would once more bear fruit. Christians understand the future leader of Israel described in this passage to be the same person described in Isaiah 2 and 9. This is the promised Messiah: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God (Isaiah 11:1).

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on this leader, empowering Him with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge. He will delight in the fear of the Lord. He won't judge people or situations by appearances that can be perceived with the senses. Unlike some of Judah's ancient kings, this leader will judge the poor with righteousness. He will give fairness to the powerless. He will not be powerless, however, striking the earth with His powerful words. He will kill the wicked with the breath of His lips. In short, He will restore justice. Righteousness and faithfulness will be His belt and His foundation. He will be the perfect leader for Israel and for the world (Isaiah 11:2–5).

During the Messiah's reign, it is said that even predator and prey animals will live in harmony. Wolves will live with lambs and leopards will rest near young goats. Lions and calves, as well as bears and cows will coexist without killing. Even little children will be safe from deadly snakes. Commentators disagree if this means the very nature of animals will be changed when the Messiah reigns on earth. An alternative meaning is that these animals to represent nations at peace. That would suggest that these nations have lost all interest in conflict under the peaceful reign of the Son of God on earth. In either case, the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Widespread understanding of God and living in submission to His Son is the thing that will finally bring peace and unity to the world (Isaiah 11:6–9).

When that time comes, this "root of Jesse," will be a signal to all the non-Jewish nations or the world. All will acknowledge the glory of God resting on Mount Zion in Jerusalem (Isaiah 11:10).

The Lord will also bring Israelites back to the Promised Land despite them being scattered around the globe. This will include both those of the northern ten tribes of Israel/Ephraim and those of the southern two tribes of Judah. The divided Israel will be reunited as one nation. United, they will defeat their enemies in the region and bring peace to their land with the Messiah as their king (Isaiah 11:11–14).

To make their return possible, the Lord will create paths through the Sea of Egypt and the Euphrates River. As the Lord had done before when setting His people free from Egypt. He will provide a highway from Assyria and the east for His people to return to the land He has given to them (Isaiah 11:15–16).

Isaiah 11:1–16 once more returns to a description of a glorious kingdom to come. This passage was written when Israel's earthly kingdom hung by a thread. That future kingdom will be lead by a descendant of Jesse, David's father. He will rule the earth in the Spirit of the Lord, and restore righteousness, justice, and peace to the earth. All will live in harmony. All the non-Jewish nations will gather under the banner of the Messiah. The Lord will reassemble His Israelite people to their land from the four corners of the earth.

Chapter Summary:

Isaiah describes a future leader who will be raised up from line of Jesse and King David. The leader will be a man and yet more than just a man. He will be powered by the Spirit of the Lord to lead with wisdom, might, and knowledge. He will restore justice and bring peace to the world, ending all conflict. The non-Jewish nations of the earth will come to Him. He will reassemble the scattered Israelites. The reunited nation will have final victory over their enemies under His rule.

Chapter Context:

Isaiah 11 follows the previous chapter's promise of the Lord's defeat of the Assyrian Empire. Along with the promise that a descendant of King David will one day rule Israel and the world. He will rule in the power of the Spirit of the Lord with wisdom, justice, and righteousness. Conflict will cease, even among the animals. All the non-Jewish nations will gather to the Messiah. The Lord will reassemble His Israelite people to the land from the four corners of the world. Reunited as one nation, they will defeat their enemies and live under the rule of the Lord. Chapter 12 continues this description.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

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