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Read Isaiah Chapter 11:1-16 & 12:1-6
Tonight’s message is going to lead into our Easter Season. We need to take a minute to remind ourselves about the impact of easter. Do we consistently reflect and consider on what Jesus did for humanity by dying on the cross and raising Himself from the grave three days later?
Isaiah is prophet sent to Judah to remind God’s people of their a). Judgment for disobedience, wrongful living and b). To show them that God has a grace filled plan to save them from their iniquity and to show them a hope they cannot find anywhere earth.
1.The LORD is Merciful to His Disobedient People
How is God going to do this? Well His plan is shown here, Isaiah 11, again this is a repeated message about who Jesus is and where He comes from.
“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse. And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 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. And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, He will not judge by what His eyes see. Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth..”
–Isaiah 11:1-4
-In Isaiah 11:1 it shows that Jesus will come from the line of Jesse (David’s father), the stump is referring to when God compared the pride-filled people to cedars being cut down (Isaiah 10:33-34) Now God is looking over those stumps and providing the saviour of the world from those stumps. In this one action, this one line it shows us how truly judgemental and how merciful God is. God is literally saving His people in spite of their pride, their sin and stubbornness.
2. The LORD is Jesus and Jesus is perfect, complete, whole, Jesus is all We Need
Isaiah 11:2-4 goes on to explain the characteristics of the messiah (Jesus). There are seven major characteristics, Wisdom, Understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the LORD.
“And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear….” Isaiah 11:2-4
The number seven is important here–seven means “Completeness” or “whole” in Jewish belief and many jewish traditions (and biblical traditions) are held around 7 days–this is considered “God’s Number.” This points directly to Revelation 2 when Jesus instructs the Seven Churches and Reveals the Seven Golden Lampstands. He even tells the church in Ephesus to be careful of losing their spot in the lampstand order–this would disrupt the wholeness.
These Seven Characteristics show us that Jesus is complete. He’s whole. He’s perfect. He’s all the sinful world needs. It also shows us that Jesus is the perfect judge because of His wholeness and completeness–this makes God good.
3. The LORD wins…Always. Therefore we must not worry for that is who we Worship.
Isaiah 11:6-16 explain the reign of Jesus. This is what God will achieve through Jesus Christ. This also points to the victory we can find in Revelation 20-21 specifically when Jesus binds Satan (after his reign) throws him into the lake of fire and judges everyone.
Isaiah 11:6-9 Shows us that Jesus will bring peace–true peace. When Jesus reigns nature will no longer have predators, the whole of creation will obey Christ and His judgements. This will bring peace.
This is an important reminder for God’s people here since they have struggled through times of consistent war, famine, pride and the killing of their children. God is reminding His people of the power which He has. This prophecy is something that we today still get to look forward in our times of struggle, doubt, pride, and war. Jesus’ Millenial reign will be glorious–knowledge of Him will blanket the earth. Amazing.
4. When you Repent to Jesus, fear His power, yet Understand His loving Mercy it will bring Peace and Thanksgiving to Your Heart.
“Then you will say on that day, ‘I will give thanks to You, O Lord; for although you were angry with me, your anger is turned away and You comfort me.” Isaiah 12:1
Questions:
Ephraim has been rebellious to Judah and even waged war on Judah in the past. Why does God have mercy for them?
What is God’s grace? How can we remind ourselves of God’s perfect grace?
What do you see when you read about Jesus’ characteristics in Isaiah 11:1-5
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