Study notes

Isaiah 11

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

8:19–12:6 Section

The judgement messages in these chapters are against Jacob’s people and against Assyria. Jacob’s people included the northern kingdom. The northern kingdom was also called Israel and Ephraim. Jacob’s people included the southern kingdom as well. The southern kingdom was also called Judah. God was very angry with his people because they were proud.

The prophets, judges and kings didn’t follow God’s instructions for leaders. These instructions were recorded in Deuteronomy 13:1–5 and Deuteronomy 17:8–20. The leaders made laws that were unfair and they took away people’s rights. God used the Assyrian army as his tool to bring judgement against his people. That is how Assyria was the war club that carried out God’s anger. But Assyria’s king didn’t recognise that he had success in battles because God allowed him to. He was proud. He claimed that his own power and strength made him successful. That is why God would bring judgement against Assyria as well.

The messages of hope in these chapters are about a ruler and king who wasn’t proud. In chapter 9, Isaiah prophesied about a child from David’s family line. This child would become a ruler who did what was fair and right. His rule would last for ever. He would be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He would be called Father Who Lives For Ever and Prince Who Brings Peace.

In chapter 11, Isaiah prophesied again about this ruler. He was called a Branch like the Branch of the Lord in Isaiah 4:2. He would rule with the help of the Spirit of the Lord. That is another name for the Holy Spirit. Life in the kingdom of this ruler would be very different. It wouldn’t be like life in the world that people were used to. Everyone everywhere on earth would know who God is and would serve him. No one and nothing would cause harm to anyone or anything. Isaiah described this by talking about how children would play with animals that are usually dangerous. No harm would come to them. This was a picture of the peace that this ruler would bring.

Jews came to understand these messages of hope as prophecies about the messiah. New Testament writers came to understand them as prophecies about Jesus. Isaiah wrote out songs of praise that God’s people would sing one day. They would sing them after God finished bringing judgement against them. They would sing them once God brought them comfort. Isaiah chapters 40 to 66 talk about this comfort. In the songs in chapter 12 the Israelites recognise that God is their Saviour. They tell everyone about him. They help all nations on earth know God and honour him. These joyful songs celebrate God as the Holy One of Israel.

10:5–11:16

Isaiah 9:8–10:4 shows that the Lord’s moral law is supreme. This means God’s standards of right and wrong stand above every nation and ruler. The next section explains what this truth means:

  1. Assyria was only a tool in God’s hands. Because of this, Assyria was also responsible to God. Like every other nation, it would face judgment for its sin (Isaiah 10:5–19, 28–34).

  2. Those among God’s people who trusted in him and obeyed his covenant would be rescued (Isaiah 10:20–27).

  3. God would establish his kingdom on earth (Isaiah 11).

11:1

shoot … stump … Branch from his roots: This new growth represents the continuation of David's royal family line, even after it almost ended during the exile in Babylon (see also Isaiah 6:13; 39:7; Rev 22:16). This new growth from the old roots will not resemble the previous weak and unjust descendants of David (see Isaiah 4:2). Jesus, the Messiah (God's chosen one), is the final fulfillment.

11:1–16

The kingdom of the Messiah, first mentioned in Isaiah 9:1–7, is now explored in more detail. Isaiah questioned the Israelites about their trust in other nations when God had far better plans in mind.

11:2

  • The Spirit of the Lord will rest on the Messiah. The Spirit ensures David's line continues. The Messiah's arrival will bring:

  • The promised Messiah will have great wisdom and understanding, like King Solomon. He will also have knowledge and reverence for the Lord (1 Kings 3:28; 4:29; Proverbs 1:1–7; 2:6–7).

  • The Spirit of counsel and strength refers to Isaiah 9:6. The Messiah will be wise and have the power to rule righteously.

11:3

the fear of the LORD: This means having deep respect and reverence for the Lord. It does not mean being afraid in a frightened way (see also Isaiah 11:2 and Proverbs 1:7).

11:4

  • The poor and the exploited would receive the justice due to them, which the wicked leaders of Judah had previously withheld.

  • the rod of his mouth: See Psalm 2:9; Revelation 19:15.

11:5

Because the Messiah is righteous in his character, his rule will show justice, righteousness, and truth. These qualities will mark his reign.

This will be very different from the condition of Jerusalem described in Isaiah 1:21. There, the city is described as unjust and unfaithful.

11:6

This prophecy was partly fulfilled during Isaiah's time or soon after. The complete fulfillment will occur when the Messiah (God's chosen one) arrives to begin and fully establish the age to come.

11:9

neither harm nor destroy: There will be no wrongdoers, corruption, or sin on God's holy mountain (Zion).

11:11

  • The first time the Lord reached out his hand was during the exodus. The second time will be in the future when the Messiah gathers non-Jewish people (Isaiah 11:10) and his own people living among them (11:11).

    The exodus remained a symbol of hope for those in exile (see Isaiah 11:16; 35:8; 40:3; 43:19–20; 48:21).

  • The remnant of his people included Israelites who survived the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions and were exiled.

11:13

jealousy of Ephraim … and … Judah: The two kingdoms became enemies during Judah's war with the alliance of Syria and Israel (see Isaiah 7:1–12). In the future, they would work together in military missions.

11:14

  • the Philistines to the west: The Philistines were Israel’s historic enemy.

  • The nations to the east included the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites. All these enemies would be defeated.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources