Isaiah Chapter 11
1 A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
2 The LORD's Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
3 His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears;
4 but he will judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child will play near a cobra's hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den.
9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
10 It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious.
11 It will happen in that day that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from 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.
13 The envy also of Ephraim will depart, and those who persecute Judah will be cut off. Ephraim won't envy Judah, and Judah won't persecute Ephraim.
14 They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them.
15 The LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his scorching wind he will wave his hand over the River, and will split it into seven streams, and cause men to march over in sandals.
16 There will be a highway for the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, like there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
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Isaiah Chapter 11 Guide
In this section the prophet's eyes are lifted toward the light of a far-off day. With judgment imminent, he yet sees the ultimate issue of it all. There is first a description of a Coming One (Isaiah 11:11). The description of the Coming One is divided into two parts. The first describes Him as the Branch, that is, as David's Son (verses Isaiah 11:1-9). His Coming is proclaimed, His anointing by the Spirit of Jehovah is declared, the method of His rule is described, and the glorious results are announced. The prophecy now describes Him as the Root, that is, David's Lord (verses Isaiah 11:10-15). Again His Coming is announced, but this time for the uplifting of an ensign that the nations may seek Him. Again His reign is described. The first process is to be the gathering together of the remnant. This is followed by the uplifting of the ensign for the nations. The result will be the restoration of unity between Ephraim and Judah, and their victory over their foes. All this will be accompanied by manifestations of the power of God as their fathers had seen it in connection with the Exodus.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Isaiah Chapter 11 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The peaceful character of Christ's kingdom and subjects. -- (1-9)
- The Assyrian but an instrument in the hand of God for the punishment of his people. (5-19)
- The conversion of the Gentiles and Jews. -- (10-16)
Verses 1-9
The Messiah is called a Rod, and a Branch. The words signify a small, tender product; a shoot, such as is easily broken off. He comes forth out of the stem of Jesse; when the royal family was cut down and almost levelled with the ground, it would sprout again. The house of David was brought very low at the time of Christ's birth. The Messiah thus gave early notice that his kingdom was not of this world. But the Holy Spirit, in all his gifts and graces, shall rest and abide upon him; he shall have the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him, Col. 1:19; 2:9.
Verses 5-19
Many consider that seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are here mentioned. And the doctrine of the influences of the Holy Spirit is here clearly taught. The Messiah would be just and righteous in all his government. His threatening shall be executed by the working of his Spirit according to his word. There shall be great peace and quiet under his government. The gospel changes the nature, and makes those who trampled on the meek of the earth, meek like them, and kind to them. But it shall be more fully shown in the latter days. Also Christ, the great Shepherd, shall take care of his flock, that the nature of troubles, and of death itself, shall be so changed, that they shall not do any real hurt. God's people shall be delivered, not only from evil, but from the fear of it. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The better we know the God of love, the more shall we be changed into the same likeness, and the better disposed to all who have any likeness to him. This knowledge shall extend as the sea, so far shall it spread. And this blessed power there have been witnesses in every age of Christianity, though its most glorious time, here foretold, is not yet arrived. Meanwhile let us aim that our example and endeavours may help to promote the honour of Christ and his kingdom of peace.
Verses 10-16
When the gospel should be publicly preached, the Gentiles would seek Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and find rest of soul. When God's time is come for the deliverance of his people, mountains of opposition shall become plains before him. God can soon turn gloomy days into glorious ones. And while we expect the Lord to gather his ancient people, and bring them home to his church, also to bring in the fulness of the Gentiles, when all will be united in holy love, let us tread the highway of holiness he has made for his redeemed. Let us wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, looking to him to prepare our way through death, that river which separates this world from the eternal world.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.