The Peace of the Kingdom

Isaiah 11:1–10 ESV

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 6 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. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 10 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.

INTRODUCTION

Every four years, voters have to weigh all of the grandiose promises made by presidential candidates before casting their votes. Those with a sense of history will recall the famous promises made throughout the history of our presidential office. 

Woodrow Wilson’s pledge in 1916 to keep the US out of the “Great War” (World War I) was broken in 1917 with the declaration of war on Germany.

Hebert Hoover’s pledge in 1928 to end poverty in America, famously promising to put “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” This promise was broken within one year by the worst economic depression in the history of this country.

Franklin Roosevelt’s pledges in 1932 to maintain balanced budgets and to decrease government spending by 25 percent, as well as his pledge in 1940 to keep the US out of World War II, were all broken.

George H. W. Bush’s campaign pledge, “Read my lips: no new taxes.” The pledge was famously broken in his 1990 budget compromise to reduce the federal deficit.

People throughout history have sought the perfect society and the perfect government. Even when Jesus was born, it was during the Pax Romana (the peace of Rome). This was a time in History that lasted 200 years: ancient Rome, identified as a golden age of increased and sustained Roman imperialism and prosperity. 

The yearning for this explains why people so consistently believe new promises of a grand vision of government. But the amazing promises of Isaiah 11 for the kingdom of Jesus Christ are far more glorious, and certainly more eternal, than all of the governmental promises in history.

Edward Hicks's series symbolizes his Quaker hope for spiritual unity and peaceful coexistence on Earth. However, his later versions reflect growing disillusionment with Quaker schisms, showing exhaustion even in the lion. Hicks, a Quaker preacher and sign painter, painted over 100 versions, using the imagery to express his faith and the ideal of harmony between all people and creatures, based on Isaiah 11:6-9. 

 There is an idealism-to-realism factor in Edwards' painting. Early versions are optimistic, while later paintings, especially after the schism, show a shift, with the lion sometimes appearing tired, or the overall scene reflects Hicks' growing weariness with earthly conflict, suggesting that true peace might only come in the spiritual realm. 

The ‘Peaceable Kingdom’ is a powerful visual allegory intended to serve as a lifelong quest for harmony, merging scriptural prophecy with Pennsylvania's founding ideals, all filtered through his deep Quaker faith and personal experiences.

Hicks lifelong quest for harmony, merging scriptural prophecy with Pennsylvania's founding ideals, all filtered through his deep Quaker faith and personal experiences.

Big Idea: Only Jesus can bring the Peaceable kingdom our Hearts Desire

The Fruit bearing stump will come from the root of Jesse .....

Nothing could be more bleak or unappealing then a dead stump where once a mighty oaks used to stand. The text begins by speaking of the root that will come forth from Jesse, David’s father.

Israels great monarchy is left to nothing more than a stump that is cut down, dead, and hopeless. Yet from this stump comes a root, a new start that is almost unrecognizable and not yet seen. Jesus enters into humanity as a baby born in the obscurity of a stable in Bethlehem.

The full grown branch is a general picture in scripture of God’s saving work for His people at last to come to fruition. We could even go to John 15 “I am the vine and your are the branches, the one who abides in me bear’s much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.

The house of David should be held high not only historically but in regards to God’s Salvation plan to be fulfilled for His people. We move from the kindly palace of David to the humble stump.

Where all of the former kings had failed at ruling with perfect righteous judgment the king of kings will perfectly fulfill.

Application: God does His greatest work where we see nothing happening.

1. The Peaceable King Rules by Unseen and Un-heard Wisdom

“And the Spirit of the Lord Shall Rest on Him”

Jesus was perfectly and completely anointed for the task at hand.

It was in the spirit of the Lord that the heroes of the OT such as Jephthah and Samson did their daring acts. We also see this pre-imminent spirit present in the kings such David and Solomon.

The difference between the spirits at work in people up to this point and the spirit at work in Jesus' life is that the spirit previously worked through flawed, broken, sinful people. 

Jesus's wisdom in Isaiah 11:2-3 sees beyond our limited sight because . This spiritual insight, described as wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord, lets Him see the inner reality, discern good from evil, and know the heart's true intent, as He "will not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear".

Rulers and governments today base there model of ruling on what they can tangibly see and hear.

Jesus' wisdom sees beyond our limited, physical sight by focusing on eternal, spiritual realities rather than temporary worldly things, revealed through faith, love for God, and an enlightened "" Ephesians 1:18 to perceive God's love, divine nature, and unseen blessings, transforming our perspective from the seen to the unseen, as seen in how He healed and understood deeper spiritual truths. 

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

How does someone who is blind to the glory of God see Him for who He really is?

To be sure 2 of our five sense are involved in this part of our perception, without them we cannot even perceive or see the natural things that declare God’s glory. But this natural seeing is not decisive in seeing the glory of God. “Seeing they do not see,” Jesus said (Matthew 13:13). Something more than the use of the natural eyes and ears and brains must happen.

Key Ways that Jesus Wisdom Transcends Our Understanding

When our wisdom fails we can always trust Jesus wisdom.

*Reliance on God, not Self

Our human understanding will always be limited by our own personal bias’s and worldly perspective. Jesus wisdom encourages believes not to lean on their own understanding but in all of their ways to acknowledge His perfect wisdom and understanding.

*Spiritual Discernment

The "natural man" cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God; they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus' wisdom, imparted through the Holy Spirit, grants believers the ability to rightly judge situations not merely by sight or outward appearance, but by the standards of God's Word and a divine insight into motives and potential.

*Seeing the Unseen

Jesus wisdom allows people to look beyond the surface at people and situations all around us. We are look beyond what is temporary and visible to focus on the things that are eternal and unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18). This includes perceiving God's hand at work in difficult circumstances and trusting in His promises and power rather than being overwhelmed by physical challenges or fear.

*Transformation of Perspective

When we align our vision with God’s we see others, ourselves, and the world as they really are. This shift leads to viewing people with grace, love, and compassion, as God sees the heart rather than just the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

*Revelation of Knowledge

God's wisdom is a "hidden mystery" that is revealed to His children through the Holy Spirit, often through prayer and an open, hungry heart for His Word. This is a "revelation knowledge" that cannot be acquired through human intellect alone.

Jesus is described as the very wisdom of God personified. 1 Corinthians 1:24

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

2. The Peaceable King Delights in His Perfect Righteous Judgment.

Main Idea: Jesus defends the vulnerable and defeats the wicked

The difference between the our judgment and Jesus is that Jesus judges not by relying on his five senses as we do, but by reading peoples hearts by the standard of absolute truth.

“He shall not judge by what his eyes see or his ears hear.”

*Jesus See’s what Others Overlook

Our justice system is built on forensic evidence. We look for external evidence to convict someone of a crime. When scripture speaks of justice, it is in reference to absolute, perfect justice in things that people cannot see or discern. 

The reason Jesus' judgment is perfect is that he seeks to please the Father at all times, and he always does the Father's will perfectly. John 5:30

John 5:30 ESV

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

“He judges the poor righteously and decides with equity for the meek.”

He will give justice to those who are normally overlooked and mistreated

If you have ever felt overlooked, maligned, or mistreated, know that when Christ comes He will set all things right.

In the ancient world (and still today), the poor and meek rarely received fair treatment.

They had no money to bribe officials.

They had no social influence to defend themselves.

Human rulers often favored the wealthy, powerful, and connected.

Isaiah says the Messiah is different. He sees people as they truly are, not as society labels them.

Righteous judgment = truly seeing the truth about a person’s situation. Equitable judgment = applying God’s standards, not human bias.

Note: this does not mean favoritism, it means He corrects the imbalance wrongfully created by corrupt human systems.

This is why the Poor loved Jesus

The Woman caught in adultery.

Zacheus

Blind Bartimaeus

The paralytic

The demon possessed.

Jesus always saw them—not merely their circumstances or reputations, but their hearts.

He is the King who:

draws near to the crushed

speaks for the voiceless

dignifies the overlooked

lifts up the humble (Luke 1:52)

*He Conquers by the Power of His Mouth

Jesus Words Create and Sustain all things.

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made.” (Ps 33:6)

“All things were made through Him.” (John 1:3)

“He upholds all things by the word of His power.” (Heb 1:3)

If His word can create the universe, His word can certainly conquer evil.

Jesus Earthly Ministry Demonstrated Power in His Words

He Cast out Demons

He Calmed the Storm

He Healed Diseases

He Forgave Sins

He Raised the Dead

Jesus conquered Satan at the Cross by the Word of the Gospel

John 12:31 ESV

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

Colossians 2:15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Jesus Conquers Nations and Kings by His Word

The Spread of the Gospel in the great commission

Matthew 28:18–19 “18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Jesus Will Conquer all of HIs Enemies at His Second coming by His Word

Revelation 19:15 ESV

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

*His Righteous Judgment is in the Character of His Garments

In Christ’s kingdom righteousness will be perfect therefore, Crime will be gone forever. This characterizes the readiness of the righteous of King Jesus.

Verse 5

BELT: Symbolizes the readiness for Action.

A warrior or worker would “gird up his loins” with a belt to prepare for battle or labor. Without the belt, the robe would tangle and hinder movement.

Meaning:

The Messiah is always ready to act in righteousness and faithfulness. These qualities equip Him for every work of His kingship.

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FAITHFULLNESS: The Foundation of His Rule

Righteousness = moral perfection, rightness, integrity

Faithfulness = reliability, truthfulness, covenant loyalty

3. The Peaceable King Transforms and Heals the World

*The Peace Bringing King, Restores His Creation

Things are now returned to their pre-fall state.

Main idea: Christ’s reign reverses the curse and heals the world.

Zoo with no Fences

Imagine taking your children to the zoo and every cage door is left open.

You walk in and see:

lions lying beside lambs, dozing peacefully

wolves trotting calmly next to deer

a leopard stretched out in the sun with goats grazing around it

a toddler reaching out and touching the mane of a lion

Your first instinct is to look for your gun or scream this is not safe....

Everything in you expects danger, violence, or instinctive fear…

But nothing happens. No snarling. No chasing. No threat.

In this zoo creation is all as it was meant to be from the very beginning.

The Family Reunion that Should have Gone Wrong

Picture a family setting where family members have held bitter animosity towards each other decades - hurtful words, anger, broken trust, and deep wounds. Everyone avoids putting the in the same room because they can’t be near each other without conflict and absolute chaos.

But imagine one Christmas as the family gathers something astonishing takes place:

The two enemies walk toward each other. There is no tension. No fear. No resentment in their eyes. Instead, they embrace. The hostility is gone. The past no longer defines them.

Everyone stands frozen in quiet awe, whispering, “Only God could have done that.”

This is a tiny glimpse of this text we have just read.

Isaiah isn’t describing “nice animals”— He is describing hearts healed, hostility removed, and the world reconciled under a perfect King.

*The Global Restoring King Draws the Nation to Himself.

Verse 9 “The Earth Shall be Full of the Knowledge of the Lord”

Knowledge of the Lord refers to a relational intimate knowledge, not just information.

In Hebrew, knowledge (דַּעַת, da‘at) almost always means relational knowledge, experiential knowledge, personal knowing.

It’s the kind of knowledge that:

transforms the heart

shapes the life

leads to worship

produces obedience

brings intimacy with God

This will be a global action that will cover the whole earth.

The earth being full of the knowledge of the LORD means a world where every heart, every mind, every nation, and all creation truly know, love, worship, and walk in the ways of the Lord—completely transformed by His presence and rule.

The Repetition of in that Day in verses 10 and 11

Subdivides the larger part into two sections.

What the whole scene envisions is a vast, end-time assembly. In the outer ring (10) will be the Gentile nations, who will at last come to recognize the LORD’s rule.

In the inner circle (11–16) will be the people of God, at last finally delivered from all their enemies. But this inner group will not be passive. They will participate in the LORD’s rule over the outer group (14). The banner which the LORD will raise to convene this vast assembly will be the Root of Jesse (10, 12).

A couple of tings to keep in view is that first, the remnant in view is comprises, in one sense, simply the survivors, people of Israel and Judah who will still be alive, although scattered, when the Messiah comes (12). But since they are also the inheritors of final salvation, they are also the remnant in another sense, namely, the final generation of the elect, faithful people of God. These two senses of ‘remnant’ finally converge in the Old Testament, as they do in the New Testament.

You will now have those gathered from all four corners of the world to share in Christ’s rule. You will have those who are His that gladly and joyfully bow the knee to king Jesus. You will have the others who are outside of Christian faith who will reluctantly bow the knee. But, make no mistake all will bow the knee.

The Root of Jesse is the Rallying Point for the Global Mission

verse 10 stands as the high point of this text that the glorious spread of the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth has now begun. The end times and eternal clock of history has now begun turning and the day is coming when all of this will come to fruition.

As we’ve seen in Isaiah 2, people from all over the earth will stream to that banner, loving and worshiping Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all their aspirations for a perfect king and a perfect society. The land he rules will radiate with his glory, and all creation will glow with astonishing beauty.

The Nations Scattered

Everything is coming full circle from that day at the tower of Babel. When man was building a tower to try to reach the heights of God. God came down and scattered the people and their languages.

This is why we have 195 countries in the world today. But on this day, all the nations will be gathered into one place. The gospel began streaming from Jerusalem and spread to the ends of the earth. Now, all are being gathered back together with one banner standing over them all. And that is the banner of Jesus Christ. 

The land he rules will radiate with his glory, and all creation will glow with astonishing beauty. Christ will reach out his sovereign hand to gather the scattered children of God and make them one.

Isaiah 11:11-16 list the nations that are being gathered together. “Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west.” These localities symbolize the geographical extent of the spread of the gospel, beginning in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth.

CONCLUSION

We must be careful in assessing how God is currently moving by our means of perception through the 5 senses. This was the mistake that the Jews made when Jesus born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. The Jews and their lineage of Jesse seemed utterly cut off and forgotten by God.

Can the infinite glory of God rise up from a dead dry stump in Bethlehem. Christ’s kingdom is so silently and imperceptibly moving toward the meek and lowly of the earth.

It cannot be assessed by the five senses. We who have embraced Christ and entered his kingdom should be fully dedicated to advancing the gospel by proclamation, not looking for utopian societies to come by flawed human governments. Every presidential campaign carries the usual promises, and most of them fail in the end. Christ’s promised kingdom is far more glorious and can never fail.

“Isaiah shows us a world full of impossible peace—wolves with lambs, predators at rest, children safe—because the true King has come. We look at the broken world around us and remember: this is not the final chapter. When Jesus reigns, creation is healed, hostility ends, justice flows, and the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord. And that is our hope as we wait for Him.”

When the King Walks In, Everything Changes (Dramatic, Visual)

Picture a chaotic classroom—kids yelling, papers flying, no order, no calm. It feels like madness.

And then the teacher walks in.

Instantly everything changes.

The noise quiets. The confusion settles. The chaos rearranges itself into peace. Not because the room suddenly became different, but because the presence of the right person arrived.

That’s a tiny glimpse of Isaiah 11.

Our world feels chaotic:

nations raging

creation groaning

people hurting

injustice daily

hostility everywhere

But Isaiah says: When the true King steps into the room, everything changes.

The wolf and the lamb. The leopard and the goat. The lion and the calf. Children safe. No harm. No fear.

Why? Because the presence of the right King has arrived.

The world becomes calm in His authority, order returns in His wisdom, and peace flows wherever He reigns.

Every longing we have is answered when Jesus walks in.

Big Idea: Only Jesus can Bring the Peaceable Kingdom that our Hearts Desire.

Where are you looking to find your peace today? Your job, your spouse, your family, your material possession.....