Isaiah 11 MESSIAH’S KINGDOM
In Isaiah’s day, Judah was threatened by enemies from the north. Later Assyria, and then Babylon would be used by the Lord to deal with the departure and idolatry of the chosen people of God. In his prophecy it is clear that Assyria would come and conquer, but not completely. A remnant would survive and God would restore His people to Himself and the promised land. The Assyrian empire would be like a tree cut down to a stump that would never grow again.
Chapter eleven looks ahead to the future day of blessing when Israel will be restored, not only to their promised land, but to the Lord. The Messiah of Israel will establish a true and righteous kingdom that will be the fulfillment of the covenant promises. David’s throne will be filled when our Lord Jesus Christ, the promised One of David’s lineage, sits on it and will rule in peace and righteousness.
The whole of Israel and Judah was cut down and all that is left is like a stump. The “stumps” of other empires are dead, but the rod that comes from the “stem of Jesse,” comes from life left in the stump. It will spring up as “The Branch” which is one of the titles of our Lord Jesus, and that relates to Him as being the Messiah of Israel. The fact that that “Branch” comes as a “rod” from the “stem of Jesse,” takes the coming kingdom back before any and all failure by Israel’s past kings, to the promise of God to the Jews. The first of these was to Abraham, then to Isaac and Jacob, and from there to the covenant with the nation and David. The inflexible rod that comes from the root of Jesse will be perfectly righteous in Messiah’s peaceful rule and reign.
There are seven holy characteristics of the Messiah, indicating completeness. The Spirit of the Lord (Jehovah) is upon Him. He is and will be perfect as a Man and immutable in His deity. The Spirit of wisdom that is in Him reminds us of our Lord’s ability to decide a matter correctly that leaves no doubt in our mind. Wisdom is in the divine nature and it is an essential part of righteous rule. The Spirit of understanding leaves no question unanswered or answer misunderstood. His own knowledge of every matter is able to be successfully communicated so there is no question as to what is right or wrong. The Spirit of counsel goes beyond just understanding to doing something about every issue in view of bringing it to a conclusion. He will apply the solution to His decisions with intelligence and authority. The Spirit of might assures us of His limitless authority and power that cannot be defeated. The Spirit of knowledge is a reference to Messiah’s unique ability to know what is right and to carry out the action that is required. It is a comfort to us to know that nothing is hid from Him, and that His knowledge takes care of any confusion we might have. The Spirit of the fear of the Lord is that reverence, respect and holiness are in Him inherently. All that the Messiah will do will be in perfect harmony with the will of God and in perfect fellowship with divine Persons. He who pleased the Father in all things when He was here the first time, will do the same when He reigns as King of kings.
In Messiah’s reign, He will deal with wickedness in justice and swift judgment. The day of grace will have been replaced by the day of peace that deals quickly with those who disturb the peace and provoke the meek. Not only will the Lord exercise authority over sin and wickedness quickly and justly; He will also take over the course of His creation and bring life and fruitfulness from places that presently are barren. With His authority He will change the actions of animals back to what they were before the earth was cursed by man’s sin. There will be a worldwide change in attitude toward the Lord when the “knowledge of the Lord” is in every place.
The world during the thousand years of the millennial reign of Christ will be a wonderful place to be. Blessings will abound, but the hearts of people will still be the same even though there will be a reign of peace. In each of the dispensations of God’s dealings with humanity, from innocence to a peaceful millennium, individuals have the choice as to what they will do with the Lord Jesus. Even under the peaceful conditions of the millennium, there will be those who will “not want this Man” to reign over them. They will join with the powers of darkness that will be released for a time, and will rebel against the Lord at the battle of Gog and Magog.
A new heavens and earth will come after the wonderful years of the millennium have passed. The glories of the Lord during His reign on David’s throne will magnify and exalt this “root of Jesse.” All the Gentile nations will come to honor Him and from those nations, the dispersed Jews will gather back in Israel. For the second time a remnant will return; this time from the whole world, not just Babylon. His ensign (banner) will be raised and the Jews will know who they are, and will be glad to have the Lord Jesus Christ as their King.
Even the earth itself will be changed by His mighty power when great earthquakes and other results from the final days of the tribulation will have moved things around. The Mount of Olives will be divided; a highway for the returning Jews will lead to Israel. The sea between Egypt and Israel will be dried up and the Euphrates River will change to seven smaller streams rather than one large river. In view of all Isaiah prophesied, we wonder about how we, who are in the body of Christ today, will fit in. Actually, we will “live and reign with Him” and will see the glory that has been withheld by sinful people, finally be given to Him to whom it is due. To know that we are part of God’s plans now and in the future, should motivate us to be faithful to Him and His kingdom right at this present time.