Isaiah 11 - Bible Study in 5 Minutes

Isaiah 11 Short Summary:

Though the nation of Judah would be humbled by foreign oppressors, the shoot of a branch would grow from the remains of the nation. This branch would grow to become a savior and king over the people of Israel and the whole world. In Isaiah 11, Isaiah describes the character and accomplishments of the future hope of God’s people.

Isaiah 11 Bible Study

TIMELINE:

• The prophetic ministry of Isaiah spanned the reigns of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

• The prophecies of Isaiah 11 were spoken during the reign of King Ahaz (7:1).

KEY CHARACTERS:

• Isaiah – The son of Amoz (1:1). God commissioned Isaiah as His prophet to Judah.

• The Messiah – The term means “anointed one.” While many people were anointed in Jewish culture (kings, priests, etc), the term came to refer to a special anointed one, the prophesied Savior of the people of Judah, the branch of the house of David (see John 1:41 and John 4:25).

• Jesse (11:1) – Jesse was the father of King David and the grandson of Ruth and Boaz (1 Sam 16; Ruth 4:17).

DEFINITIONS:

• Meek (11:4) – A quiet, gentle, and reserved person.

• Adder (11:8) – A general term for various kinds of poisonous snakes.

OUTLINE:

• THE WORK, THE REIGN, AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BRANCH (11:1-16):

  • Isaiah 11 opens with a prophecy about a branch (as in Isaiah 4:2) growing from the stump of Jesse. This branch refers to the Messiah, the anointed one, who was to be a savior and king for the people of Israel and Judah.

  • “In the previous chapter, the prophet had represented the Assyrian monarch and his army under the image of a dense and flourishing forest, with all its glory and grandeur. In opposition to this, he describes the illustrious personage who is the subject of this chapter, under the image of a slender twig or shoot, sprouting up from the root of a decayed and fallen tree. Between the Assyrian, therefore, and the person who is the subject of this chapter, there is a most striking and beautiful contrast. The one was at first magnificent - like a vast spreading forest - yet should soon fall and decay; the other was the little sprout of a decayed tree, which should yet rise, expand and flourish” (Albert Barnes).

  • In chapter 11, Isaiah prophesies about the traits of this savior and what he will accomplish when he reigns.

  • This “branch” will honor God, and God’s Spirit will be with him (11:2).

  • He will delight to do God’s work (11:3), unlike the current kings of Israel.

  • He will judge righteously, delivering justice to the meek and the poor (11:3-4), unlike the current judges in Israel.

  • He will be an enemy and destroyer to the wicked (11:4).

  • Justice and righteousness will be so closely associated with his person that they will be like a belt tied around his waist (11:5).

  • His teaching and the ultimate result of his reign will be peace (11:6-9).

  • As was prophesied in Isaiah 2, the subjects of this king’s reign will reforge their swords and spears into farming equipment.

  • In Isaiah 11, this peace is illustrated in another way. The wolf will not harm the lamb, the lion won’t eat the calf, the cow and bear will graze in the same field, the infant will play over the viper’s hole and not be bitten, and the carnivorous lion will be changed into a peaceful herbivore.

  • This peace will come when the knowledge of God spreads across the face of the earth (11:9).

  • This king was to be a signal (ensign, ASV), a rallying point, for not just the Jews, but for all nations (11:10).

  • In this king’s day, God will recall the remnant of Israel a second time and bring together His people who are scattered across the earth (11:11).

  • During the reign of the king, God will unite those who once fought one another (11:13).

  • God will put down the enemies of His people. Isaiah mentions the traditional enemies of Israel, the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, and Egyptians. Anyone who follows their example and fights against the Messiah king will be defeated.

  • A highway will be opened up for all of God’s people who wish to return to Him (11:16; see also 35:8, 40:3, and 62:10).

BIBLE COMPREHENSION:

• Considering the rest of the Scriptures, there is no doubt that Jesus is the best candidate to fulfill the prophecy of the branch.

• Jesus was a descendent of David, a branch from the stump of Jesse. He was filled with the Spirit of God. He was the definition of righteousness and justice.

• His words are a source of peace, making enemies into friends. He is a savior, the anointed of God, and a king.

• He is a king not just for the Jews but also for the Gentiles (all other nations).

• His reign will end with the defeat of anyone who opposes His people.