Sermon Tone Analysis

We remember Jesse from lots of places maybe most notably where the prophet Samuel is told by God to go and anoint the next king.

All the strong and handsome sons of Jesse are trotted out but the Lord rejects each one in turn until Samuel asks if there is another son.

Then we are introduced to the future King David the one whom all other kings of Israel would be compared.

The one who, though a sinful man, was also humbled by his sin and followed after God’s own heart.

SR

A Great Vision

A Great Vision

A Great Vision

We remember Jesse from lots of places maybe most notably where the prophet Samuel is told by God to go and anoint the next king.

All the strong and handsome sons of Jesse are trotted out but the Lord rejects each one in turn until Samuel asks if there is another son.

Then we are introduced to the future King David the one whom all other kings of Israel would be compared.

The one who, though a sinful man, was also humbled by his sin and followed after God’s own heart.

We remember Jesse from lots of places maybe most notably where the prophet Samuel is told by God to go and anoint the next king.

All the strong and handsome sons of Jesse are trotted out but the Lord rejects each one in turn until Samuel asks if there is another son.

Then we are introduced to the future King David the one whom all other kings of Israel would be compared.

The one who, though a sinful man, was also humbled by his sin and followed after God’s own heart.

We remember Jesse from lots of places maybe most notably where the prophet Samuel is told by God to go and anoint the next king.

All the strong and handsome sons of Jesse are trotted out but the Lord rejects each one in turn until Samuel asks if there is another son.

Then we are introduced to the future King David the one whom all other kings of Israel would be compared.

The one who, though a sinful man, was also humbled by his sin and followed after God’s own heart.

We are also introduced in a way to Jesus.

The reason the youngest son David wasn’t there that day to line up in front of the prophet was that he was of course out “tending the sheep.”

And when he was anointed, the spirit of the lord rested powerfully upon David.

Both ideas of shepherd and having the Lord’s spirit upon him in power are echoed about Jesus in the NT (, , ).

So there’s only a “stump” left in the line of Davidic kings.

Short background:

Earlier in .

Ahaz, the king of Judah expressed his disbelief that the Lord would protect the House of David against an alliance between King Rezin of Aram (Syria), Pekah (not a Pokemon) the son of the King of Israel / Ephraim.

Complicated but basically some alliances were being formed against the main Big Dog in the region Assyria and Ahaz was looking for help against the Northern Kings by teaming up with the King of Nineveh Tiglathpileser.

This is when the prophet Isaiah gives Ahaz king of Judah the “sign of Immanuel” that a woman will give birth to a son and before he is old enough to make sound decisions for himself (12?) these enemies will be wiped out and you shouldn’t worry about it because God is with you.

But Ahaz and the people are scared and don’t believe the signs God is giving them and God sends the Big Dog Assyrians anyway to take over the land and take the people captive.

That’s quite a brief and simplistic summary.

Isaiah’s point to the king is that only God can provide peace and security amidst life’s most challenging and difficult situations.

You can’t trust your self and your worldy alliances.

God is telling you he will be with you, do you believe him?

Only God can provide peace and security amidst life’s most challenging and difficult situations.

So here in , there’s just a “stump” left.

Ever have a stump in your yard?

It’s just a hunk of dead wood that’s really hard to get rid of.

They can last a long time.

(my story of lighting one of fire, sometimes they rot and you plant flowers in them, etc).

Isaiah 11:1-10

So here

But even though the line of faithful kings has ended.

This seemingly “dead stump” is going to sprout a branch that will bear fruit.

Did you notice he has the Spirit?

Four times the Spirit is mentioned: Spirit of the Lord, wisdom/understanding, counsel/might, knowledge/fear of the Lord.

He’s not going to depend on normal human faculties to make decisions.

Instead it will be with “righteousness” and “justice” that he will deal with the needy and the poor.

This is no mere man.

“R” and “J” are used repeatedly in the OT to describe God’s acting in the world.

It’s with R&J that he will judge the needy and the poor.

Not “judge the needy” as in condemn the needy.

But that he will judge for them, make a right and true judgment on their behalf.

Stick up for them.

As we know the poor and needy, the fatherless, widow, alien, stranger are all people of focus in scripture.

God’s people are often judged and scolded concerning the way we treat these people.

As we consider topics Jesus addresses often and are repeated by other NT writers, there is much to say about our money and how we manage it and who and what we support with it.

Challenging subject for me personally.

I don’t really know any poor or needy people.

yet I know plenty of people are struggling.

Oh sure we have the sponsored child picture on our fridge, we’ve given to various causes and charities.

I know that is true about the SM Church.

I see the various missions efforts we support.

Read A Christmas Carol, p. 10

Tricky subject that can get political real quick (Bill, I look forward to your comments in Bible Class).

What could the SM church do to directly impact the poor and needy in our community?

How could we be a blessing to our neighbors?

How could we be known as a church that understands and tries to meet the needs of the poor and needy right here?

And he doesn't need any weapons.

It’s with his mouth and his breath that he will destroy the wicked.

In Rev, the Rider on the White Horse is seen judging and making war:

His clothing is righteousness and faithfulness.

And what is the result of the presence of this branch from the stump of Jesse?

Peace.

No more enmity.

The old structures of creation are reversed.

Prey and predator animals live in harmony.

A child leads them.

At least one commentator sees in this statement that the old order of human “dominion” over the animals is lifted.

Animals will no longer receive cruel treatment at the hands of their human captors who reside at the top of the food chain.

Rather a gentle child is in charge.

(thought that was maybe stretching, but then a lion has become a herbivore).

Little children, both infants and toddlers are completely safe near all kinds of normally dangerous reptiles.

Nobody will be harmed.

Nobody destroyed.