Sermons on Isaiah 11:6-9
The various sermons below converge on Isaiah 11:6-9 as a profound vision of peace and restoration that transcends natural enmities and social divisions, portraying a kingdom marked by harmony between humans, animals, and creation itself. Central to their interpretations is the idea that this peace is deeply rooted in the “knowledge of the Lord,” which functions as a transformative, divine wisdom that enables compassion, reconciliation, and a radical reordering of relationships. Several sermons draw connections between this prophetic vision and the ministry of Jesus, particularly highlighting his presence “with the wild animals” in the wilderness as a foretaste of the messianic peace breaking into the present world. The theme of shalom emerges repeatedly, not merely as the absence of conflict but as a dynamic state of mutual delight and flourishing that begins even amid danger and discomfort. Additionally, the sermons emphasize that this peace is not only eschatological but also a present calling, especially in contexts of political polarization and social fragmentation, where compassion becomes the practical means of embodying the peaceable kingdom.
Despite these shared foundations, the sermons diverge notably in their theological emphases and hermeneutical approaches. Some interpret the passage as a literal prophecy of a future, physical restoration of Edenic harmony, where even the natural order is visibly transformed, while others adopt a more symbolic or inaugurated eschatology, viewing the peace as both a present spiritual reality and a future consummation. One sermon wrestles openly with the prophetic timeline and the ambiguity of fulfillment, engaging with millennial debates and the tension between literal and metaphorical readings. Another sermon uniquely frames the peaceable kingdom as a countercultural political ethic, applying Isaiah’s vision directly to contemporary social issues and the challenge of embodying compassion across ideological divides. The use of sensory imagery, such as the “aroma” of the Messiah’s obedience, adds a distinctive Christological dimension in one interpretation, contrasting with others that focus more on cosmic reconciliation or ecological restoration. Finally, the degree to which the peace is seen as initiated by Jesus’ earthly ministry versus awaiting his return varies, with some emphasizing the wilderness temptation as a moment of messianic inbreaking, while others stress the future hope of Christ’s righteous reign.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Interpretation:
Embodying Compassion: Navigating Complex Social Issues Together (Kuna United Methodist Church) interprets Isaiah 11:6-9 as a vision of a “peaceable kingdom” where all creatures, even those naturally at odds, coexist in harmony and safety. The sermon uses the artwork of Fritz Eichenberg to visually reinforce this vision, inviting children to notice the unnatural peace between predator and prey, and between children and dangerous animals. The preacher draws a direct line between this peace and the “knowledge of God,” suggesting that true compassion and understanding—rooted in divine wisdom—are what make such peace possible. The sermon uniquely applies this vision to contemporary polarization, especially in politics, arguing that Isaiah’s vision is the opposite of division and is realized through compassion that bridges divides. The analogy of Jesus’ disciples, who held radically different political views yet were united by Christ, is used to illustrate how compassion can transform even the most polarized communities, echoing the peaceable kingdom’s radical harmony.
Finding Divine Comfort in Our Desert Experiences (Become New) offers a distinctive interpretation by connecting Isaiah 11:6-9 to the motif of “shalom”—a deep, interwoven peace among God, humanity, and creation. The sermon notes that the phrase “with the wild animals” in Mark’s Gospel (regarding Jesus in the desert) echoes Isaiah’s vision, suggesting that Jesus’ mission is to restore shalom, beginning even in places of danger and discomfort. The preacher references the original Hebrew concept of shalom as more than the absence of conflict, but as a state of mutual delight and harmony. The sermon also draws on the linguistic detail that “to be with” in Mark implies peaceful coexistence, paralleling Isaiah’s imagery. This interpretation is further enriched by referencing the violation of shalom (sin) as the root problem, and Jesus as the restorer of that peace, starting with his own presence among wild animals.
Refocusing on Jesus: The True King This Christmas (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) interprets Isaiah 11:6-9 as a prophetic vision of the Messiah’s reign, emphasizing the jarring, almost surreal imagery of natural enemies living in harmony as a deliberate contrast to the brokenness of the current world. The preacher highlights the original Hebrew’s use of aroma and delight in describing the Messiah’s “fear of the Lord,” suggesting that Jesus’ life is a “sweet aroma” of perfect obedience and delight in God’s will. The sermon uses modern analogies (like AI-generated images of animals together) to underscore how unnatural and striking Isaiah’s vision is, reinforcing the idea that the Messiah’s kingdom will be radically different from human kingdoms. The peace described is not just absence of conflict but a total reversal of the world’s norms, achieved through the Messiah’s just and righteous rule.
God's Eternal Kingdom: Hope Amidst Earthly Empires (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets Isaiah 11:6-9 as a literal prophecy of the coming Messianic kingdom, where the natural order is restored to God’s original intention. The sermon describes the taming and domestication of wild animals as a return to Edenic harmony, with humanity and creation living together in peace. The preacher emphasizes that the current state of the world is a result of sin and rebellion, and that the peaceable kingdom will only be realized when Christ returns to enforce righteousness. The vision is not merely symbolic but is expected to be physically and socially real, with even children able to play safely with once-dangerous animals.
God's Sovereignty and the Hope of the Messiah (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation of Isaiah 11:6-9 by closely analyzing the prophetic literary structure and the ambiguity of prophetic timeframes. The preacher uses the analogy of viewing a mountain range (Mount Wilson) to explain how the prophets, including Isaiah, saw future events as a single undifferentiated whole, even though those events (such as the coming of the Messiah and the final restoration) are separated by vast periods of time. This perspective, called "prophetic perspective," is used to frame Isaiah 11:6-9 as a vision of the messianic age that is both inaugurated in Christ’s first coming and consummated in the future. The sermon also uniquely highlights the Hebrew causal construction in verse 9 ("because the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord"), emphasizing that the transformation of creation is directly linked to the universal spread of God’s knowledge. The preacher admits the mystery of how animal nature will be changed, suggesting that the knowledge of God will so permeate creation that even animals will act in accordance with it, though the mechanics remain beyond human comprehension. The sermon further distinguishes itself by wrestling openly with the literal versus metaphorical fulfillment of the passage, especially in light of Isaiah 65, and by engaging in a live dialogue with different millennial views, rather than settling for a single eschatological framework.
Embracing Community and Renewal in Lent (Mooresville FUMC) provides a novel interpretive angle by connecting Isaiah 11:6-9 to the brief mention in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus was "with the wild animals" during his wilderness temptation. The preacher suggests that this detail is not about danger but about harmony, positing that Jesus’ presence with the wild animals is a foretaste or inbreaking of the peace and restored unity prophesied in Isaiah 11:6-9. This interpretation reframes the wilderness scene as a moment where the messianic peace begins to break into the present, with Jesus as the one who brings reconciliation not only to humanity but to all creation. The preacher draws a direct line from the Genesis ideal, through Isaiah’s vision, to the ministry of Jesus, suggesting that the peace between humans and animals is a sign of the kingdom’s arrival.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Theological Themes:
Embodying Compassion: Navigating Complex Social Issues Together (Kuna United Methodist Church) introduces the theme that the peaceable kingdom is not just a future hope but a present calling, realized through acts of compassion that transcend political and ideological divides. The sermon uniquely applies Isaiah’s vision to the context of political polarization, arguing that compassion is the transformative force that can create “peaceable kingdoms” even in contentious social issues like abortion, and that true discipleship is measured by our ability to embody this compassion in real, often uncomfortable, situations.
Finding Divine Comfort in Our Desert Experiences (Become New) presents the theme of shalom as the ultimate goal of God’s redemptive work, with Isaiah 11:6-9 serving as a picture of restored relationships not only between humans but also between humanity and creation. The sermon adds the facet that shalom begins in the midst of danger and discomfort, not after it, and that Jesus’ presence with wild animals in the desert is a sign that the restoration of all things starts in the most unlikely places.
Refocusing on Jesus: The True King This Christmas (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) explores the theme of the Messiah’s reign as a radical inversion of worldly power structures, where justice, peace, and harmony are established not by force but by the Messiah’s perfect wisdom, obedience, and delight in God. The sermon’s focus on the “aroma” of the Messiah’s life as a sweet offering to God adds a new dimension to the theological theme of Christ’s kingship—one rooted in loving obedience and the restoration of all creation.
God's Eternal Kingdom: Hope Amidst Earthly Empires (Pastor Chuck Smith) develops the theme of the literal fulfillment of God’s promises, emphasizing that the peaceable kingdom is not just a metaphor but a concrete reality to come. The sermon adds the facet that the restoration of creation will include not only peace among humans but also a transformation of the natural world, with the removal of violence and danger, and a return to Edenic conditions.
God's Sovereignty and the Hope of the Messiah (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the peace and transformation described in Isaiah 11:6-9 are not merely about the absence of violence but are the result of the earth being "filled with the knowledge of the Lord." The sermon explores the idea that the knowledge of God is not just intellectual but transformative, affecting even the animal kingdom and the natural order. The preacher also brings in the theme of prophetic mystery and humility, acknowledging that the full realization of these promises is beyond current human understanding and that the passage challenges both literal and metaphorical readings, especially in relation to eschatological debates (premillennialism vs. amillennialism).
Embracing Community and Renewal in Lent (Mooresville FUMC) adds a fresh theological facet by applying Isaiah 11:6-9 to the life and ministry of Jesus, particularly his temptation in the wilderness. The sermon suggests that Jesus’ peaceful coexistence with wild animals is a sign of the messianic restoration, and that wherever Jesus is present, he brings peace not only to people but to all creation. This theme expands the scope of salvation to include ecological and cosmic reconciliation, not just personal or social peace.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Refocusing on Jesus: The True King This Christmas (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) provides historical context by situating Isaiah’s prophecy during the time of the Assyrian threat, a period of great political and social upheaval for Israel and Judah. The sermon explains that Isaiah’s vision was given as both a warning and a hope, pointing to a future king from the line of Jesse (David’s father) who would succeed where previous kings had failed, offering a message of hope and restoration in the midst of national crisis.
God's Eternal Kingdom: Hope Amidst Earthly Empires (Pastor Chuck Smith) offers extensive historical and contextual insights, explaining the sequence of world empires (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, Roman) and the expectation of a final, divine kingdom as prophesied in Daniel and Isaiah. The sermon also discusses ancient environmental conditions, referencing pre-flood longevity and the possibility of a restored, Eden-like earth in the Messianic age, including changes in climate and geography that would make the earth more hospitable and abundant, as originally intended by God.
God's Sovereignty and the Hope of the Messiah (SermonIndex.net) provides significant historical and contextual insight by explaining the prophetic literary style of Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets. The preacher details how prophets often presented future events as a single vision without indicating the time gaps between them, a phenomenon explained through the "mountain range" analogy. This helps listeners understand why Isaiah 11:6-9 can be read as both a present and future hope, and why the passage seamlessly follows the judgment imagery of Isaiah 10. The sermon also references the cultural context of prophetic fulfillment, noting that the original audience would not have distinguished between the immediate and distant future in the way modern readers do.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Cross-References in the Bible:
Finding Divine Comfort in Our Desert Experiences (Become New) cross-references Genesis 2:19 (Adam naming the animals), Psalm 22 (wild animals as images of danger), Isaiah 65 (similar peaceable kingdom imagery), and Psalm 91 (God’s protection from harm, including wild animals and serpents). These references are used to show the biblical motif of harmony between humans and animals as God’s original and ultimate intention, and to connect Jesus’ desert experience with the restoration of shalom.
God's Eternal Kingdom: Hope Amidst Earthly Empires (Pastor Chuck Smith) provides an extensive list of cross-references, including Daniel 2 and 7 (prophecies of world empires and the coming kingdom), Exodus 15:18, 2 Samuel 7:16, 1 Chronicles 17:12, Psalms 10, 45, 72, 145, 146, Isaiah 9, 32, 35, 40, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 65, Jeremiah 23, 33, Zechariah 8, Micah 4, Matthew 6, 19, 21, Luke 1, John 5, Romans 2, 14, 2 Timothy 2, 4, Revelation 2, 3, 5, 11, 19, 22, and others. Each is used to reinforce the certainty, scope, and nature of the coming kingdom, the restoration of creation, the reign of the Messiah, and the participation of the saints in ruling with Christ. The references to Isaiah 35 and 51, for example, are used to describe the transformation of the natural world, while references to Psalms and Revelation emphasize the everlasting, righteous, and joyful nature of the kingdom.
God's Sovereignty and the Hope of the Messiah (SermonIndex.net) references several biblical passages to expand on Isaiah 11:6-9. The preacher draws a parallel between Isaiah 11:1-5 and Isaiah 61, which Jesus quotes in Luke 4:18 to identify himself as the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. The sermon also connects Isaiah 11:4 ("with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked") to 2 Thessalonians 2:8, where Paul applies this language to the second coming of Christ and the defeat of the "lawless one." Most notably, the preacher cross-references Isaiah 65:17-25, which repeats the imagery of Isaiah 11:6-9 in the context of the "new heavens and new earth," and discusses the interpretive challenges posed by the mention of death and sin in the new creation. The preacher also briefly references Romans 1:18 regarding the suppression of the knowledge of God, suggesting that the messianic age will reverse this suppression.
Embracing Community and Renewal in Lent (Mooresville FUMC) cross-references Genesis (the peace between Adam and the animals before the fall), Mark’s Gospel (Jesus with the wild animals in the wilderness), and Isaiah 11:6-9, weaving them together to show a biblical arc from creation, through prophecy, to fulfillment in Christ. The preacher uses these references to argue that Jesus’ ministry is the beginning of the restoration envisioned by Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Christian References outside the Bible:
Finding Divine Comfort in Our Desert Experiences (Become New) explicitly references Neil Plantinga, who defines shalom as “the rich interweaving together of human beings and creation and God in a spirit of harmony and mutual delight,” and Jack Levison, who notes that the Greek phrase “to be with” in Mark implies peaceful coexistence. The sermon also references C.S. Lewis, who discusses the depiction of angels in art and literature, and Saint Francis of Assisi, whose love for animals and creation is presented as an embodiment of the peaceable kingdom ideal. These references are used to deepen the understanding of shalom, the restoration of creation, and the spiritual significance of harmony with animals.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embodying Compassion: Navigating Complex Social Issues Together (Kuna United Methodist Church) uses the artwork of Fritz Eichenberg, specifically his woodcut “The Peaceable Kingdom,” as a visual metaphor for Isaiah 11:6-9. The sermon invites children to interact with the artwork, identifying the various animals and the child, and reflecting on the unnatural peace depicted. The preacher also draws an analogy to potato stamps and children’s art projects to make the vision accessible and relatable. Additionally, the sermon references the real-life polarization in American politics, using the example of Jesus’ disciples (a zealot and a tax collector) as a modern analogy for political opposites coming together in compassion, and extends this to the abortion debate, using real stories of women facing difficult choices to illustrate the need for compassion in divisive issues.
Refocusing on Jesus: The True King This Christmas (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) uses several secular illustrations to highlight the jarring nature of Isaiah’s imagery. The preacher references viral social media content, such as a pygmy hippo livestream and a marketing campaign (“wear your blush like a baby hippo”), to illustrate how unexpected juxtapositions can be striking. The sermon also mentions the inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympics as an example of surprising contrasts, and uses AI-generated images (Meta AI) of predator and prey animals together to visually represent the unnatural peace of Isaiah’s vision. These illustrations are used to help the congregation feel the shock and wonder of the peaceable kingdom, making the ancient prophecy vivid and relevant.
God's Sovereignty and the Hope of the Messiah (SermonIndex.net) uses the detailed analogy of viewing Mount Wilson from Pasadena to illustrate the prophetic perspective. The preacher describes how, from a distance, the mountain appears as a single peak, but upon closer inspection, it is revealed to be a series of ridges. This analogy is used to help the audience understand how Isaiah and other prophets saw future events as a single vision, even though they are separated by long periods of time. The preacher’s personal anecdote about living in Pasadena and observing Mount Wilson on clear days grounds the analogy in real-world experience, making the prophetic perspective more accessible to listeners.