THE ROOT OF JESSE

Isaiah 11-12

INTRODUCTION.

1. This passage is yet another picture of the coming Messiah and His glorious kingdom of peace.

2. A remnant would endure throughout the trying times of captivity and would return. Out of the remnant would come God’s spiritual remnant.

3. A virgin would conceive and bring forth a Son, Immanuel, God with us (7:14).

4. On the shoulder of the Prince of Peace would rest the government of the kingdom (9:6-7).

5. He would come forth like a twig from roots in the Davidic stump which were apparently dead yet still alive.

I. THE RIGHTEOUS BRANCH (vss. 1-5)

A. The Assyrians would devastate the land and take Israel into captivity. But then Assyria would be destroyed like a forest, with only dead stumps left, never to rise again (10:34-35).

B. In contrast, the house of David, though brought low, would revive in a Branch growing out of the roots of a stump that remains. It will bear fruit for the Lord. From this lowly beginning would grow the Messianic kingdom. The Branch is the Christ. This is what was promised to David (2 Sam. 7:11-16).

C. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him. [Matt 3:16-17 – “And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, {and} coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."]

D. He will judge in fairness for the meek and lowly. [Matt 5:3-5 -- "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”]

E. And He will judge the wicked with the breath of His mouth.

1. Rev 1:16 -- And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

2. Rev 2:16 -- Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

3. Rev 19:15 -- And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

4. II Th 2:8 -- And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming…

II. THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM OF THE BRANCH (vss. 6-10)

A. Here is a figurative picture that depicts the peace and tranquility of those inhabiting God’s holy mountain.

B. The holy mountain is the Messianic kingdom (Heb. 12:18-28). Within that kingdom there is peace, for the carnal nature of man has been brought under subjection to the spirit and will of Christ. Its inhabitants are new creatures in Christ [2 Cor 5:17 -- Therefore if any man is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.]

C. The Root of Jesse (Christ) will raise a standard or ensign around which peoples (Jews and Gentiles) will rally. This is now being fulfilled in the church, according to Romans 15:12.

D. Christ Himself, the gospel, is the standard. Let us be faithful as His standard-bearers in the world (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 2:2).

III. A HIGHWAY FOR THE REMNANT (vss. 11-16)

A. God recovered a remnant of His people from captivity.

B. He will yet again recover a spiritual remnant. [Rom 11:5 -- In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to {God's} gracious choice.]

C. Jesus is the way (John 14:6; 10:9; Eph. 2:17-18). Let us lead others to this highway for His remnant.

IV. PRAISE THE LORD (ch. 12)

A. For the Lord’s mercy

B. For the Lord’s salvation (cf. John 4:10, 14; 7:37-38 – draw from the springs of salvation)

C. For His deeds among the peoples.

D. Song: “He is in our Midst.” He is Immanuel.

INVITATION.