Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 11

THE REIGN OF "THE BRANCH" OVER A RE-UNITED THEOCRACY

Isaiah, the Gospel prophet, portrays the Lord Jesus Christ -Messiah of Israel, and Savior of all who will trust Him - in a most exquisite manner.

Verse 1-5: THE ROOT OF DAVID TO REIGN IN RIGHTEOUNSESS

1. Though the fall of Assyria was to be complete and final, the fall of David’s house is only temporary.

a. A shoot will come forth from the stump of Jesse, (Verse 1, 10; Isaiah 9:7; Acts 13:23), and a fruit-bearing branch from its roots, (Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 53:2; Jeremiah 23:5).

b. This figurative language, of course, refers to the coming of a notable person, whom the scriptures ultimately reveal to be the person of the very Son of God, (Matthew 3:16; John 1:32-34).

2. In this One, who is elsewhere called "the Branch" (Zechariah 3:8), is manifested the completeness and perfection of the Spirit in its seven-fold characterization, (Verse 1-2; comp. Revelation 3:1).

3. The "spirit of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-21) is also the spirit of: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear (reverence) of the Lord.

4. It will be the delight of this "son of Jesse" to reverence the Lord, (Verse 3a; Psalms 40:7-8).

5. Born to reign as King over God’s people, He will not judge by physical sense, (Verse 3b; John 2:25; John 7:24).

6. In striking contrast to the iniquitous rulers over His ancient people, He will deal righteously with the poor (Verse 4a: Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 16:5; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 3:14; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 72:14), and will restore the downtrodden with fairness, (Verse 4b; Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 61:1).

7. By "the rod of His mouth" (Isaiah 49:2; Psalms 2:9; Malachi 4:6) and "the breath of His lips" (Isaiah 30:28; Isaiah 30:33; Job 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:8) will wickedness be subdued - that the fullness of peace may be experienced by His beloved people. ’

8. Girded with righteousness and faithfullness (Ephesians 6:14; Isaiah 25:1), He will exercise His sovereign authority as King of the whole earth, (Jeremiah 23:5; Daniel 7:14; Luke 1:32-33; etc.).

Verse 6-10: MILLENNIAL CONDITIONS

1. The consequence of Messiah’s reign will be universal peace, as illustrated in the realm of nature, (Verse 6-8).

b. The most ferocious of beasts will not only cease to prey on domesticated animals; their very nature (and habits) will be changed from carnivorous (flesh-eating) to herbivorous (plant-eating) creatures, (Verse 6-7).

b. Once-poisonous reptiles will no longer be a danger- even to a weaned child, (Verse 8).

c. In fact, there will be nothing, in that day, to hurt or destroy in all the vast regions of our Lord’s kingdom!

2. In that day Jesse’s "root" will stand as an ensign for all people, and all nations will bow before Him, (Verse 10; Romans 15:8-12).

3. Then will "the place of His rest" (Isaiah 14:3; Isaiah 28:12; Isaiah 32:17-18; Haggai 2:9) - His throne - be glorious indeed!

Verse 11-18: REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION FOR ALL ISRAEL

1. Here the prophet reveals a (still) future, ultimate deliverance of "the remnant" from the ends of the earth, (Verse 11-12).

2. It is evident from the context that this cannot refer to a deliverance from Egypt, or from Babylon, but from a far more extensive dispersion.

3. Messiah Himself is the "ensign", "banner" or "flagstaff" around which, first, those whom He has called out from among the Gentiles (Acts 15:14; Romans 11:25-26), and then the "outcasts of Israel" and "dispersed of Judah" may rally, (comp, Jeremiah 30:4-11; Zephaniah 3:8-20; Jeremiah 3:14-18; Ezekiel 11:16-20).

4. Reunited, under His strong and benevolent hand, the re­constituted covenant-nation will quickly subdue: the Philistines, Edom, Moab and the children of Ammon who were their ancient enemies and tormentors, (Verse 14-15).

5. This coming deliverance is likened unto the miraculous deliverance from Egypt - though this one will involve God’s bringing them from "the ends of the earth."

6. The specific mention of Assyria is significant in that Assyrian invasions are the underlying historical setting for chapters 7 through 12.

7. "Remnant" and "highway" (Verse 11, 16) are leading motifs throughout this prophecy - positive evidence of a single authorship for the whole.