The Lord is Our Salvation

Introduction

Approaching the end of what is often called the ‘Book of Immanuel’

Last cycle of messages is illustrated by Isaiah & his sons

Isa. 9:8-10:19 – Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (quick to plunder, swift to spoil) [Isa. 10:2]

Isa. 10:20-34 – Shear-Jashub (a remnant shall return) [Isa. 10:21]

Isa. 11:1-16 – Isaiah (Salvation is of the Lord) [Isa. 11:1]

God has led us through the warning of coming judgment because of arrogance

He has reinforced His promise to save His people

Now God tells us about His salvation

We look beyond judgment to reconciliation

Isaiah 11 is a well-known Messianic passage

Jews have seen is as Messianic (a few think it’s fulfilled in Hezekiah)

This is a passage that tells us about Jesus and His Kingdom

Here we see not only what God is going to do for Israel but where He has been moving all history to end

This isn’t a prophecy about the regathering of Israel after Babylonian captivity

This is about a glorious and final end for God’s true people

Also, important to see that while it is focussed on Israel this is hope for all people

We see God’s salvation completed in a perfecte Kingdom ruled by a perfect King

The Perfect King

Isaiah 11:1–2

His Humility

Isaiah 11:1

The Stump

stem = stump or trunk

It’s a word used for the stump of a fallen tree

Interesting contrast of fallen trees

Assyria will be cut down never to regrow again (Isa. 10:34)

Cedars of Lebanon: cedars don’t regrow from stump

Israel is cut down but will regrow

Remnant like an oak (Isa. 6:13) - oaks can regrow from stump

Jesus/Messiah is called the stem of Jesse which emphasises His humanity and humility

Takes us back further than David to David’s father

Speaks of Israel being at it’s lowest state - not a tree but a stump

To think of Jesse is not to think of a king but a lowly shepherd from the small village of Bethlehem

This is part of Isaiah’s description of a humble, suffering Saviour & King

When Jesus does come it is in humility at the lowest time of Israel

They are under the yoke of Rome, without hope

There is a small remnant of believers

He is born in the town of Jesse, Bethlehem

First to know and worship Him are shepherds

He is born into poverty (Lk. 2:24 - offer 2 turtledoves)

Like promise of Isa. 7:14 here again we see the salvation of God begins in lowliness & humility

The Branch

From that stump will grow a branch that will become strong and produce fruit

Here we must keep in mind the view that OT prophets had

ILLUSTRATION: Mountain Peaks of prophecy

OT doesn’t see this current ‘church’ age

Like a valley between the peaks of Christ’s 1st & 2nd advent

Humility of His first coming makes the power of His second coming possible

That is, Jesus is bring a complete salvation

At first He is the root of Jesse

At His second coming He will be called the root of David

Revelation 5:5 “5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.””

Then He is not coming in humility but as King, in power

The Nature of His Kingdom

Jews (mostly) understood this to be a prophecy of a future, literal kingdom

That is what they expected Jesus to do at His first coming (Palm Sunday)

3 major views of the Kingdom:

Amillenialism: Literally means no millennium but technically they do believe in millennium just allegorically not literally

We’re presently living in the millennial kingdom where there is both the victory of the Gospel & suffering for the Gospel

It is victorious in that Satan is bound in the sense that he cannot stop the spread of the Gospel through the world but he is still able to persecute believers

Key to amillennialism is ‘already/not yet’ tension – Christ reigns now but kingdom isn’t fully realised until His return

There’s no Tribulation as such and no rapture

Just before the end Satan is loosed to deceive & persecute & then Christ comes to finally defeat Satan & establish eternal kingdom

Postmillennialism: Many similarities to Amillennialism & in fact Amill was known as Postmill until recently (1900’s)

Like Amill, millennium is figurative not literal & a time where Satan is bound

Difference is nature of ‘millennium’

Amill says Church experiences both victory & suffering

Postmill teaches a gradual end to Church’s suffering which ultimately leads to a golden age

Golden age comes about by increasing influence of Christianity in world

Postmill (& some Amill) often hold to Preterism which means they believe either in whole or part all the prophecies of Christ & Kingdom are in the past, usually with a climax at 70AD

Premillennialism: As opposed to the others is futurist believing promises of Christ’s return & kingdom are still future

Like all of the views there are subsets (like historic or dispensational)

Key distinction between Premill & A/Postmill is literal interpretation of prophetic passages

For example, Revelation is taken largely chronologically so Rev. 19, 20 & 21 follow each other in progress

That means, judgment first (Tribulation), return of Christ & then millennium

His Power

Isaiah 11:2

Full of the Spirit

The Spirit of Yahweh will rest upon Him

This is a statement of His fullness of the Spirit & Spirit’s full ministry through Him

John 3:34 “34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.”

In OT Spirit would often come upon people to empower for particular ministry

As believers we’re given a measure of the Spirit but Jesus knows fullness of Spirit

This is because of relationship of Son & Spirit

This is what was illustrated at Jesus’ baptism

Matthew 3:16–17 “16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.””

This forms the centre of the rest of Isa. 11:2

It’s followed by 3 pairs

Several Messianic Jews I’ve read made note to similarity to menorah

ILLUSTRATION: Candle stick / seven Spirits

Also reminds of the way the Spirit is described in Revelation - speaking of His 7-fold ministry

Revelation 1:4 “4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,”

Life of Power

Wisdom & Understanding

Wisdom = Ability to make the right decision at the right time

Understanding = applying that wisdom to choose the best option to pursue

Counsel & Might

Counsel = See situation clearly, understand it and make the right plan

Might = Power to put the plan into action

Knowledge of & Fear of God

Knowledge = understanding gained from experience (His experience is being God)

Fear = reverence

These are the attributes that allowed Him to live a perfectly obedient life while on earth

Attributes which allow Him to rule in absolute perfection

The Perfect Kingdom

Isaiah 11:3-9

Kingdom of Righteousness

Isaiah 11:3-5

Fruit of the Branch

Isaiah 11:3-4

Perhaps these describe the King more than the Kingdom but it shows how He will rule His Kingdom

Here we have 5 results or effects of the Spirit resting on Him

His delight is in the fear of Yahweh

Reverence of God is a sweet smell to Him

His desire is for everyone and everything to revere God

While this is ultimately about worshipping Him

It’s also about our good - we were created to worship & love God

Shall not judge by the sight of His eyes

He will not & doesn’t judge according to appearance

Not based on what He sees or what is heard (gossip, rumour, etc.)

Acceptance isn’t based on outward things/righteousness/deeds

with Righteousness judge the poor

Rather He will judge based on inward righteousness

Righteousness is a key characteristic of His Kingdom

Only the righteous will enter His kingdom

Isaiah 60:21 “21 Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.”

He will rule righteously

Psalm 96:10 “10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.””

This Kingdom is the fulfilment of Matt. 5:3

Matthew 5:3 “3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

decide with equity...

His judgment can’t be bought or swayed

He will judge on behalf of the poor and needy

the meek is a term Isaiah uses often in reference to the faithful remnant

strike the earth...

The wicked will be judged with His full force

Fight for His People

Isaiah 11:5

This is a Kingdom for His people, for the faithful

This verse is reminiscent of Eph. 6:14 - the belt of truth

Girdle / belt was one used for wrestling

That is, He is prepared to face the enemy and do battle

He will fight for His people, rescue them

He fights in righteousness - to do what is right

He fights in faithfulness - to do what He promised

Kingdom of Peace

Isaiah 11:6-9

Universal Peace

Isaiah 11:6-8

If righteousness is the foundation or root of this kingdom then peace is the fruit

Here in His Kingdom “righteousness and peace have kissed” (Ps. 85:10)

Where righteousness flourishes, peace is in abundance (Ps. 72:7)

It is a Kingdom where those who hunger for righteousness will be satisfied in peace (Matt. 5:6)

This section is designed to emphasise the universal nature of peace in His Kingdom

Everyone & everything will enjoy the fruit of His righteousness

There is a deliberate sense of Eden in these verses

God is delivering from the curse of sin that ruined creation so He can bring us back to the perfection He intended us to enjoy

These verses tell us of peace & absolute safety in the Kingdom

Also tell us of a restoration of divine order (child will lead/have dominion)

Full of the Knowledge of God

Isaiah 11:9

We’ll see more of the implications of this verse in the verses ahead

My holy mountain

Can refer just to Jerusalem

Here likely refers to the extent of His Kingdom

Jesus won’t just rule a portion of world or a few nations

Jesus will rule - everywhere

The whole earth will be filled with His glory

He will be known in every part of the world

More wonderfully He will be sought by all there

Conclusion

The world is in chaos, turmoil & ruined by sin and sinful people

God is working in this world - always has been

He is working to bring everything to His intended end of perfection & glory

This is why we must believe His promise to rescue those who believe Him

For those who believe there is a glorious, righteous, perfect, peace filled Kingdom to come

While this Kingdom is founded on promises made to Israel it will be enjoyed by all of those who call on Jesus as Saviour