Hope and Restoration: The Messiah in Isaiah 11

Summary

In today's exploration of Isaiah chapter 11, we delve into the profound prophecy concerning the Messiah, a figure who embodies both hope and fulfillment. This chapter paints a vivid picture of a future ruler, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, who will bring justice, peace, and restoration. The historical context is crucial here, as it helps us understand the anticipation and longing for a Messiah in ancient Judaism. Originally, the Jewish people awaited a singular Messiah, a king who would liberate and lead them. However, modern Judaism has shifted to a belief in multiple messiahs, each contributing to peace in Israel. This shift highlights the importance of understanding the original context of Isaiah's prophecies.

Isaiah's prophecy speaks of a time when the line of David appears cut off, yet a new shoot will emerge, symbolizing hope and renewal. This shoot is none other than Jesus Christ, who fulfills the prophecy by being both the root and the shoot of Jesse. The New Testament confirms this through various passages, illustrating Jesus as the eternal king who will reign on David's throne forever. His first coming was marked by humility and sacrifice, but His second coming will usher in a reign of peace and justice, transforming even the natural world.

The narrative of Jesus' birth and life is a testament to God's orchestration of events, from His birth in Bethlehem to His upbringing in Nazareth, meaning "new shoot." This divine orchestration extends to our lives, where God works through our circumstances, even when they seem like stumps—hopeless and barren. The story of the pastor and the comedian exemplifies how God uses our obedience to bring about His purposes, often in unexpected and miraculous ways.

As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded that Jesus is not only the hope for Israel but for the entire world. He is the source and fulfillment of God's promises, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. In Him, we find our hope and salvation, and through Him, we are called to live lives that reflect His love and justice. As we partake in communion, we remember His sacrifice and anticipate His return, when He will restore all things and reign as the righteous King.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Messiah's Dual Role: Isaiah 11 reveals the Messiah as both a suffering servant and a ruling king. This duality is fulfilled in Jesus, who first came to offer Himself as a sacrifice and will return to establish His kingdom of peace and justice. Understanding this helps us grasp the depth of God's redemptive plan. [06:09]

2. God's Faithfulness in Prophecy: The prophecy of a shoot from the stump of Jesse illustrates God's faithfulness to His promises. Despite Israel's failures, God orchestrates history to bring forth Jesus, the Messiah, fulfilling His covenant with David. This assures us of God's unwavering commitment to His word. [13:13]

3. Divine Orchestration in Our Lives: Just as God orchestrated events for Jesus' birth and life, He works in our lives, often through unexpected means. Our obedience to His promptings can lead to miraculous outcomes, as seen in the story of generosity and restoration. [27:36]

4. The Hope of Restoration: The prophecy of peace in Isaiah 11 extends beyond Israel to the entire world. Jesus' reign will bring harmony even to the natural world, symbolizing the complete restoration God promises. This hope encourages us to live with anticipation and faith. [15:38]

5. Jesus as the Root and Shoot: Jesus is both the source and fulfillment of God's promises. As the root, He is the origin of Israel's hope, and as the shoot, He is the fulfillment of that hope. This dual identity underscores His divinity and His role as the eternal King. [34:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:35] - Understanding the Messiah in Judaism
- [06:09] - The Prophecy of Isaiah 11
- [08:30] - The Davidic Covenant
- [13:13] - The Messiah's Righteous Reign
- [15:38] - Peace in the Animal Kingdom
- [17:49] - The Nations and the Root of Jesse
- [19:26] - God's Restoration Plan
- [20:48] - New Testament Fulfillment
- [24:08] - The Significance of Bethlehem
- [25:10] - God's Choice of the Least
- [26:14] - The Birth and Life of Jesus
- [27:36] - Divine Orchestration in Our Lives
- [34:36] - Jesus as the Root and Shoot
- [40:16] - The Hope of Jesus' Reign

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Isaiah 11 and the Messiah

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 11:1-10
- Matthew 3:16-17
- Revelation 22:13, 16

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Observation Questions:

1. What imagery does Isaiah 11 use to describe the coming of the Messiah, and how is this imagery significant? [08:30]

2. How does the sermon describe the shift in Jewish understanding of the Messiah from ancient to modern times? [03:35]

3. According to the sermon, what role does the Spirit of the Lord play in the life of the Messiah as described in Isaiah 11? [13:13]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate God's orchestration in the life of Jesus and in our lives today? [27:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the dual role of the Messiah as both a suffering servant and a ruling king deepen our understanding of God's redemptive plan? [16:25]

2. In what ways does the prophecy of a shoot from the stump of Jesse assure us of God's faithfulness to His promises? [06:09]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of divine orchestration, and what does this suggest about God's involvement in our personal lives? [27:36]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Jesus being both the root and the shoot of Jesse? [34:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time in your life that felt like a "stump"—hopeless or barren. How can the promise of a new shoot, as described in Isaiah 11, bring hope to that situation? [27:36]

2. The sermon discusses the Messiah's role in bringing peace and justice. How can you actively participate in promoting peace and justice in your community this week? [15:38]

3. Consider the story of the pastor and the comedian. How can you practice generosity in your life, even when it seems challenging? [27:36]

4. How does understanding Jesus as both the root and the shoot of Jesse impact your view of His divinity and His role in your life? [34:36]

5. The sermon emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. What is one promise from God that you are holding onto, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness this week? [06:09]

6. How can you prepare your heart to receive Jesus as both a humble servant and a reigning king in your daily life? [16:25]

7. As you partake in communion, how can you more deeply remember and appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus and anticipate His return? [42:40]

Devotional

Day 1: The Messiah's Dual Role in Redemption
Isaiah 11 reveals the Messiah as both a suffering servant and a ruling king. This duality is fulfilled in Jesus, who first came to offer Himself as a sacrifice and will return to establish His kingdom of peace and justice. Understanding this helps us grasp the depth of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' first coming was marked by humility and sacrifice, embodying the role of the suffering servant. His life and death were the ultimate expressions of love and obedience to God's will, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled with God. However, the prophecy also points to a future reign where Jesus will return as a ruling king, bringing justice and peace to the world. This dual role of the Messiah is central to understanding the comprehensive nature of God's plan for redemption. [06:09]

"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embody both humility and leadership in your daily life, reflecting the dual role of Jesus as a servant and king?

Day 2: God's Faithfulness in Prophecy
The prophecy of a shoot from the stump of Jesse illustrates God's faithfulness to His promises. Despite Israel's failures, God orchestrates history to bring forth Jesus, the Messiah, fulfilling His covenant with David. This assures us of God's unwavering commitment to His word. The imagery of a shoot emerging from a seemingly dead stump symbolizes hope and renewal. It reminds us that God's promises are not thwarted by human failure or circumstances. Jesus, as the fulfillment of this prophecy, is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to bring life from what appears lifeless. This assurance of God's faithfulness encourages believers to trust in His promises, even when situations seem bleak. [13:13]

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus encourage you to trust in that promise today?

Day 3: Divine Orchestration in Our Lives
Just as God orchestrated events for Jesus' birth and life, He works in our lives, often through unexpected means. Our obedience to His promptings can lead to miraculous outcomes, as seen in the story of generosity and restoration. The narrative of Jesus' life is a testament to God's meticulous planning and divine orchestration. From His birth in Bethlehem to His upbringing in Nazareth, every detail was part of God's grand design. Similarly, God is at work in our lives, weaving together circumstances and events for His purposes. Our role is to remain obedient and attentive to His guidance, trusting that He is working all things for our good and His glory. [27:36]

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt God's guidance. How can you be more attentive to His orchestration in your life today?

Day 4: The Hope of Restoration
The prophecy of peace in Isaiah 11 extends beyond Israel to the entire world. Jesus' reign will bring harmony even to the natural world, symbolizing the complete restoration God promises. This hope encourages us to live with anticipation and faith. The vision of a world where natural enemies coexist peacefully is a powerful image of the restoration God intends. It speaks to a future where not only humanity but all of creation is renewed and reconciled. This hope of restoration is a source of encouragement for believers, reminding them that God's ultimate plan is one of peace and harmony. It calls us to live with anticipation, actively participating in God's work of restoration in the world today. [15:38]

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to God's work of restoration in your community, bringing peace and harmony to those around you?

Day 5: Jesus as the Root and Shoot
Jesus is both the source and fulfillment of God's promises. As the root, He is the origin of Israel's hope, and as the shoot, He is the fulfillment of that hope. This dual identity underscores His divinity and His role as the eternal King. The imagery of Jesus as both the root and shoot of Jesse highlights His divine nature and His central role in God's redemptive plan. As the root, He is the foundation and source of life, and as the shoot, He is the fulfillment and culmination of God's promises. This dual identity emphasizes Jesus' eternal kingship and His unique position as both the beginning and the end of God's plan for humanity. [34:36]

"In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious." (Isaiah 11:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus, recognizing Him as both the source and fulfillment of your hope?

Quotes

1. "On Thursday nights, sorry, well, last year, I guess it was Thursday nights, but on Wednesday nights, our men's group meets, and so if you're a man, you want to join a Bible study, we have a great men's group that meets in the library on Wednesday nights at 630. Um, and, uh, but, but years ago, uh, our good friend Ron, he invited a friend out, uh, who's a Jewish man, and, uh, and he, and his name's Bill, and Bill came, uh, has been coming, or he, he came for quite a while to the, to the men's Bible study, uh, because he was like, I like Jesus. I don't really like Paul so much, but I like Jesus, and I love it when you get in the Old Testament, because we definitely agree on Old Testament stuff, um, and, but, and then one time, I went and taught the, the men's Bible study a few years back, and, uh, and, and Bill was there, and, uh, he, we're talking about the Messiah, and he shared what their view of the Messiah is as a Jew today, and I was taken aback. I hadn't heard this before, so we talked about the Messiah, and so let me just backtrack a bit here. We talked about a Messiah, uh, that was going to come and set the people free, and the word Messiah is a Hebrew word. The Greek word for Messiah is what? Christ. Okay, so Jesus Christ. Christ was not his last name, right? Uh, we say Jesus the Christ, Jesus the Messiah. That's what we're referring to there. We say, call him." ([00:00:44] (92 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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2. "He's preaching judgment, one, to Israel and Judah, and he's saying, look, the Assyrians are going to come, the Babylonians are going to come, and there's going to be put an end to the kings of this day, and there will be left a remnant of Jews that will be still around, but a lot of them will be scattered and moved about. But there will come a day when this Messiah is going to come, this anointed one, this king who is going to come, and he is going to set the people free. And so people, so the Jews were looking, looking forward to, with great anticipation, this coming Messiah who would reign. And they were always thinking, they knew that this Messiah, because they believed it would be a human king, would be born in a woman, and so that woman was going to be the most blessed person, because she would give birth to this king who is going to bring freedom. And there's all sorts of passages that are messianic passages in the Old Testament, and Isaiah has tons of passages that are messianic passages in the Old Testament, and Isaiah has tons of them throughout it, and this is one of them that talks about this future Messiah who's going to come." ([00:04:53] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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3. "And so God establishes this covenant with them. He says, as long as you are upholding your end of this covenant, he goes, it's going to go well. He goes, but if you don't, there's going to be a lot of curses, and all these curses end up coming true, and part of them come true through Isaiah's prophecies here as the people are taken captive and spread out. These were all prophesied hundreds of years earlier with Moses. But he says, I'm going to make you a people so that you will be a blessing to the world, so that you will be a priesthood to the nations so that others will know that I am God. And Israel just failed. The whole Old Testament is showing us that Israel failed at that task. And then part of their failure was they demanded a king. They said, we want a king. We want to be like all the other nations. And what God said is they're rejecting me as their king." ([00:06:58] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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4. "also hope judgment because they're living in sin they've been following all these kings that have been leading them in the right direction he says but there's going to be a hope god's holding out a remnant and he's bringing a messiah and this messiah is going to come he's going to sit on the throne of david and this is what we call the davidic covenant the davidic covenant the davidic covenant it says this and god says to david he says your house david your house and your kingdom shall endure before me forever your throne shall be established forever problem is what we see is that two generations later david's throne his kingdom is divided uh and then it's not long several generations more and then the king of judah which was on david's line is cut off there's no more king in judah and that's where isaiah picks this up here in chapter 11 so let's go to chapter 11 starting in verse 1 he says then after this judgment has happened after there's no more king in judah he says then a shoot will spring from the stem of jesus and a branch from his roots will bear fruit so this stem of jesse is talking about the trunk of jesse and it can be translated stump of jesse because the at the bottom of the tree there or the tree that is is is the line of jesse through david is going to be cut off at some point and so it'll just be left a stump he says but he says out of that stump out of the stem of jesse a shoot will spring from that stem and a branch from his roots will bear fruit fruit is going to come again right now it looks like there's going to be this stump it's dead the tree has no life it cannot bear fruit but then this shoot comes forward a branch from that stem of jesse and it's going to bear fruit this is the hope of isaiah 11 the hope of this messiah this shoot here verse 2 it says the spirit of the lord will rest on him the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of counsel and strength the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the lord you" ([00:09:24] (165 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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5. "So here it talks about this root that's gonna come forth, and this is a prophecy about the Messiah that's gonna come. This Messiah's gonna come, he's gonna be on the throne of David. The throne of David is gonna be reestablished. God said it's gonna last forever, but it's gonna be cut off at some point. But then a shoot is gonna come forth from the line of Jesse, from the line of David there. David's throne will be reestablished by a Messiah who's gonna come. And that Messiah, the spirit of the Lord is gonna rest. He's gonna rest upon him. The New Testament tells us, I'll just tell you right now, the New Testament tells us that Jesus is the root of Jesse." ([00:12:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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6. "I was talking with someone, just an incredible story, and don't expect this to be like an everyday kind of occurrence. It's not an everyday occurrence for me, and I don't think it was an everyday occurrence for this person, but I'm not gonna share any names because you guys might know some of these people, but these two guys, one is a former pastor, the other one, a comedian. Both Christians became friends, and as they became friends, they decided to kind of hold each other accountable. One of the things they wanted to hold each other accountable to was they read a book about generosity, and so they said, hey, let's try to live generously, and so they're like, okay, and we're gonna hold each other accountable, so if you go and live generously, you do something to be generous, like then, like share it with me. Let's hold each other, hold each other accountable to this commitment to live generously." ([00:28:11] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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7. "you thanks for meeting with me and all that I appreciate it and then he felt God was telling him give him the $1 ,700 so he says you know what God's telling me to do God's telling me to give you the $1 ,700 so he gives him the $1 ,700 and the man starts to cry and he says I was burned by a pastor who took me for $1 ,700 now put all those things together you know people being obedient to what God was telling them one of the guys could have given him $5 ,000 and that would have been generous but he felt God was telling him to give $17 ,000 his wife called him out on it what if he hadn't done that what if the other guy hadn't given his car in the first place I mean all these things come together this guy meets and he listens and he gives okay God I'm giving you $1 ,700 and it was exactly what that guy needed to restore his faith in the Lord and in God's church God just when God is working and God is always working when we're listening and being obedient we see God doing amazing things like he's doing in this story of bringing this Messiah into this world here you , here was a people that Isaiah is prophesying to them look there's going to be a stump it's going to be a difficult time and it seems like when there is a stump when a tree is cut cut down that is finality that is hopelessness there's nothing left we've cut down the tree and all of its fruit bearing but God says no no I'm going to bring a shoot I'm going to bring a shoot out of this 700 plus years later a shoot is going to come he's going to be the hope of the world and maybe you have a stump in your life right now where you're going to have this hopelessness and despair where Jesus is present where God is working there is hope when we have a stump but I want to close with this part in verse 10 because there's the hope of the the shoot but" ([00:31:47] (134 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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8. "As I titled this message, Jesus is both the shoot and the root. Look at verse 10. It says, then in that day, the nations will resort to the root of Jesse. We have been talking about the shoot that comes out of this stump. But here it says, the nations are going to come to the root of Jesse. Where is the root? Does it come out of the stump? No, it's below the stump. The root is the source of the stump." ([00:34:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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9. "Jesus is talking here at the end of Revelation. In the last chapter of the Bible, Jesus says, I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet. He's saying I'm the first and the last, the beginning and the end. I'm both of these things. And then in verse 16, he says, I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. I am both the root, the source of David that you've been hoping for, this future kingdom. I am both the root, the source, and the descendant of David." ([00:35:07] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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10. "a branch coming out a shoot coming out of the of the stump of David he said to them Jesus then how does David in the spirit call him Lord saying the Lord said to my Lord sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet if David then calls him Lord how is he his son he's going here and quoting the psalm of David that where David is is calling the Messiah who is to come because and they all the Jews knew that this quote here was about the Messiah who would come after David he says well then how could David be saying calling the Messiah his Lord if he's a descendant of his because he's greater than David because he's greater than he is God and so what do we have here the hope that Jesus both of shoot and the root of Jesse we have a hope here in Jesus because Because God came to earth, took on human flesh to come into our brokenness, to set us free, to be our Messiah, to be our ruler, to rule now in our hearts, and one day to rule the earth." ([00:38:55] (76 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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