Isaiah 11
BSB1 Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 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 fear of the LORD. 3 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, 4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. 5 Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water. 10 On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. 11 On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. 14 They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. 15 The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. 16 There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.
Study Notes — Isaiah 11
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Isaiah 11
- Themes from Isaiah 11
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Isaiah 11
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 11 begins with a description of the Messiah as a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will bear fruit and bring light to the nations. The chapter then describes the characteristics of the Messiah's kingdom, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. The chapter also looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland. Key verses include Isaiah 11:1-5, which describe the Messiah's character and kingdom, and Isaiah 11:10-16, which describe the restoration of Israel.
Context for the Chapter
Isaiah chapter 11 is part of the larger context of Isaiah's prophecy, which is a call to repentance and a promise of restoration for the people of Israel. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which is the story of God's creation, redemption, and restoration of the world. The chapter looks forward to the day when Jesus Christ will return and establish His kingdom on earth, which is a key aspect of the biblical narrative.
Heart Application
The message of Isaiah 11 is a call to hope and faith in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty. The chapter reminds us that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises, even when the circumstances seem impossible. As we look to the future and the promise of the Messiah's kingdom, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty and to live in obedience to His will.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Isaiah 11 is about the future kingdom of the Messiah, where He will reign in righteousness and peace. The chapter describes the Messiah as a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will bring light to the nations. As Isaiah 11:1-5 says, the Messiah will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world. The chapter also looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland, as described in Isaiah 11:10-16.
Voices from the Church
“The Spirit of the Lord is the great agent in the salvation of men, and it is by His power that the Messiah will reign in righteousness.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The root of Jesse is a symbol of the Messiah's humble beginnings and His connection to the line of David, and it is through this root that the nations will be blessed.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Messiah's Character (Isaiah 11:1-5) — The Messiah is described as a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world.
- The Messiah's Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9) — The Messiah's kingdom is described as a time of peace and prosperity, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
- The Restoration of Israel (Isaiah 11:10-16) — The chapter looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland.
- The Gathering of the Nations (Isaiah 11:10-12) — The Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland, and the nations will rally to the Messiah.
- The Reign of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:13-16) — The Messiah will reign in righteousness and peace, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of the Messiah
- Isaiah 11 teaches that the Messiah is a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world. As Isaiah 11:1-5 says, the Messiah will be a king who will reign in righteousness and peace.
- The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
- The chapter highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in the Messiah's life and reign, and teaches that the Spirit is the agent of the Messiah's power and wisdom. As Isaiah 11:2 says, the Spirit of the Lord will rest on the Messiah, giving Him the wisdom, understanding, and strength to reign in righteousness.
- The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God
- Isaiah 11 describes the Messiah's kingdom as a time of peace and prosperity, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. As Isaiah 11:6-9 says, the kingdom will be marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the reign of righteousness.
- The Doctrine of the Restoration of Israel
- The chapter looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland, which is a key aspect of the Messiah's kingdom. As Isaiah 11:10-16 says, the Lord will gather His people and restore them to their homeland, and the nations will rally to the Messiah.
Lessons from Isaiah 11
- The Importance of the Holy Spirit — The chapter highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in the Messiah's life and reign, and teaches that the Spirit is the agent of the Messiah's power and wisdom.
- The Reign of the Messiah — The chapter describes the Messiah's kingdom as a time of peace and prosperity, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
- The Restoration of Israel — The chapter looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland, which is a key aspect of the Messiah's kingdom.
- The Gathering of the Nations — The chapter teaches that the nations will rally to the Messiah and that the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
- The Hope of the Messiah's Kingdom — The chapter is a call to hope and faith in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty, and reminds us that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises, even when the circumstances seem impossible.
Themes from Isaiah 11
- The Messiah's Kingdom — The chapter describes the Messiah's kingdom as a time of peace and prosperity, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
- The Restoration of Israel — The chapter looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland, which is a key aspect of the Messiah's kingdom.
- The Gathering of the Nations — The chapter teaches that the nations will rally to the Messiah and that the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
- The Hope of the Messiah's Kingdom — The chapter is a call to hope and faith in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty, and reminds us that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises, even when the circumstances seem impossible.
- The Importance of the Holy Spirit — The chapter highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in the Messiah's life and reign, and teaches that the Spirit is the agent of the Messiah's power and wisdom.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the chapter teach about the Messiah's character and kingdom?
- How does the chapter describe the Messiah's relationship to the Holy Spirit?
- What does the chapter teach about the restoration of Israel and the gathering of the nations?
- How does the chapter relate to the larger biblical narrative and the story of God's creation, redemption, and restoration of the world?
- What are the implications of the chapter's message for our lives today, and how can we apply its teachings to our own situations and circumstances?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Messiah's Character (Isaiah 11:1-5)
| Isaiah 11:1 | The Messiah is described as a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world. |
| Isaiah 11:2 | The Spirit of the Lord will rest on the Messiah, giving Him the wisdom, understanding, and strength to reign in righteousness. |
| Isaiah 11:3 | The Messiah will not judge by what He sees or hears, but by what is right, and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth. |
| Isaiah 11:4 | The Messiah will bring justice and righteousness to the world, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. |
| Isaiah 11:5 | The Messiah will be a king who will reign in righteousness and peace, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. |
2. The Messiah's Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9)
| Isaiah 11:6 | The wolf will lie down with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat, and the calf and the lion and the yearling will be together. |
| Isaiah 11:7 | The cow will feed with the bear, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and the infant will play near the hole of the cobra. |
| Isaiah 11:8 | The nursing child will play near the hole of the asp, and the weaned child will put his hand into the viper's nest. |
| Isaiah 11:9 | They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. |
3. The Restoration of Israel (Isaiah 11:10-16)
| Isaiah 11:10 | In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. |
| Isaiah 11:11 | On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to reclaim the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylon, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. |
| Isaiah 11:12 | He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. |
| Isaiah 11:13 | Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will no longer be jealous of Judah, and Judah will no longer be hostile toward Ephraim. |
| Isaiah 11:14 | But they will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the people of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. |
| Isaiah 11:15 | The Lord will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian Sea; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates River. He will break it up into seven streams, so that men can cross over in sandals. |
| Isaiah 11:16 | There will be a highway for the remnant of His people from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from Egypt. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Isaiah 11?
The main theme of Isaiah 11 is the Messiah's kingdom, where He will reign in righteousness and peace. As Isaiah 11:1-5 says, the Messiah will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world.
Who is the branch from the stump of Jesse?
The branch from the stump of Jesse is the Messiah, who is described as a king who will reign in righteousness and peace. As Isaiah 11:1 says, the Messiah is a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world.
What is the significance of the Holy Spirit in the Messiah's life and reign?
The Holy Spirit is the agent of the Messiah's power and wisdom, and is described as resting on the Messiah in Isaiah 11:2. The Spirit gives the Messiah the wisdom, understanding, and strength to reign in righteousness.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 11:1 → Romans 15:12 | The branch from the stump of Jesse is a reference to the Messiah, who is described in Romans 15:12 as the root of Jesse. |
| 2 | Isaiah 11:2 → John 1:1 | The Spirit of the Lord is described as resting on the Messiah in Isaiah 11:2, and is also described as being with God in the beginning in John 1:1. |
| 3 | Isaiah 11:6 → Hosea 2:18 | The wolf will lie down with the lamb in Isaiah 11:6, and is also described as being at peace with the lamb in Hosea 2:18. |
| 4 | Isaiah 11:10 → John 12:13 | The Root of Jesse is described as standing as a banner for the peoples in Isaiah 11:10, and is also described as being the king of Israel in John 12:13. |
| 5 | Isaiah 11:11 → Micah 4:6-7 | The Lord will extend His hand a second time to reclaim the remnant of His people in Isaiah 11:11, and is also described as gathering the remnant of His people in Micah 4:6-7. |
| 6 | Isaiah 11:12 → Zephaniah 3:10 | The Lord will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel in Isaiah 11:12, and is also described as gathering the nations in Zephaniah 3:10. |
| 7 | Isaiah 11:13 → Ezekiel 37:22 | The jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off in Isaiah 11:13, and is also described as being at peace with Judah in Ezekiel 37:22. |
| 8 | Isaiah 11:15 → Revelation 16:12 | The Lord will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian Sea in Isaiah 11:15, and is also described as drying up the Euphrates River in Revelation 16:12. |
| 9 | Isaiah 11:16 → Hebrews 13:20-21 | There will be a highway for the remnant of His people from Assyria in Isaiah 11:16, and is also described as being the way of the Lord in Hebrews 13:20-21. |
| 10 | Isaiah 11:1-5 → Matthew 1:1-17 | The Messiah is described as a branch from the stump of Jesse in Isaiah 11:1-5, and is also described as being the son of David and the son of Abraham in Matthew 1:1-17. |
Sermons on Isaiah 11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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How to Forgive by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the pastor encourages the audience to find joy and strength in the knowledge that Jesus will come again and make everything new. He emphasizes that despite the diff |
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(1 Peter - Part 6): rejoice...though now...ye Are in Heaviness by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the four aspects of life that will be transformed when the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord. These aspects include the physical |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 10:5 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the warnings given by the prophet Jeremiah to the people who had forsaken God. He draws parallels between the patterns of rebellion in |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 11:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of seeking a face-to-face encounter with God. He emphasizes the need for believers to have a personal relationship with |
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Youth for Christ Ladies by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker describes a situation where 700 prisoners were in great danger and facing punishment due to their fighting. Amidst this chaos, there was a weak and star |
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The Cost of Declaring His Glory by Helen Roseveare | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of facing persecution and suffering for their faith. They describe a brutal attack on their home by cruel men during a rebe |
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Jesus Above All by R.G. Lee | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his experience of attending a gathering where they listened to a recording of a singer who had been dead for 30 years. He mentions that duri |
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Youth for Christ Rally by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not waiting until the last week of one's life to surrender to God. He encourages the audience to surrender their lives to |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 11:11 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the current state of the world and the need for God's intervention. He expresses concern over the increasing wickedness and rebellion a |
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Jehovah-Nissi by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of hungering for God and wanting to know who He is. The message is part of a series of eight or nine messages. The speaker enc |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Isaiah 11
In Isaiah 11, we see the Messiah as a branch from the stump of Jesse, who will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and will bring justice and righteousness to the world. The chapter describes the Messiah's kingdom as a time of peace and prosperity, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. As Matthew Henry says, '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 of the fear of the Lord.' The chapter is a call to hope and faith in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty, and reminds us that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises, even when the circumstances seem impossible. As Isaiah 11:10 says, 'In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Messiah's Character
The Messiah is described as being empowered by the Holy Spirit, who gives Him the wisdom, understanding, and strength to reign in righteousness. The Messiah's character is marked by justice, righteousness, and faithfulness.
The Messiah's Kingdom
The Messiah's kingdom is described as a time of peace and prosperity, where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. The kingdom is marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the reign of righteousness.
The Restoration of Israel
The chapter looks forward to the day when the Lord will gather His people from all the nations and restore them to their homeland. The restoration of Israel is a key aspect of the Messiah's kingdom, and this section highlights the importance of God's faithfulness to His people.