Isaiah 11

A Prophecy, that Christ should be born of the stock of Isai, v.1. and should be excellently endued with the Spirit of the Lord, 2. Setting up a Kingdom by the preaching of his Word, 4. And that the members of his church should live together in peace and unity, 6. And should at length get the victory over their spiritual enemies, they being brought to the knowledge of the Gospel, 11,12, &c.

1. And there shall come forth come forth a small branch out of the stem of Isai, that is hewen down, and a shoot out of his roots shall bring forth fruit. [Here the Prophet giveth a reason of that which he had said, chap.10.27. To wit, that the yoke should be rent or broken off from Juda, and that God would defend that tribe, for the sake of the Anointed, to wit, Jesus Christ, who should be born of the tribe of Juda. (For there shall come forth a young, or, little branch) A sprig, a rod; to wit, Jesus Christ. See above chap.4.v.2. (out of the stem) Or, stock, stump. (of Isai) the father of David. (that is hewen down) Or, cut off. At that time when Christ was born, the tribe of Juda seemed to be clean cut off, forasmuch as it was greatly decayed, and had almost loft its former glory. It had neither King nor Prince: Joseph the Espoused husband of Mary, was a carpenter: This appeareth also by the gift, which Mary Offered, when the Days of her purification were fulfilled, Luke 2:24. (and a shoot shall bring forth fruit) Or, grow, spring forth (out of his roots.) A relation of that, which is straight way said in other words, that the Reader might the better understand and perceive it. In the Hebrew is mentioned the word Nezer, whereby some conceive, that likewise is signified, that Christ should be brought up at Nazareth, and from thence obtain the name of Nazarene. See Matth.2.23.]

2. And the Spirit of the LORD [To wit, the Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from the Father, and the Son] shall rest upon him: [The meaning is, he shall according to his humane Nature; whereby he is the Son of David, be abundantly, and in all Fullness, endued with all spiritual gifts, or graces. See Psalms 45:8. and Joh.3.24. This resting of the Spirit of the LORD upon Christ, is represented and signified by the descending of the Dove and her resting upon Christ, when he was baptised in the Jordan, Luke 3:16,22.] the spirit of Wisdom, and of understanding, [That is, the spirit which worketh, and produceth wisdom and understanding. So likewise in the sequel] the Spirit of counsel, and of strength, the Spirit of knowledge, [Or, of science] and of the fear of the LORD.

3. And his [To wit, the Lord Christs] smelling shall be [That is, his knowledge and judgement shall be. Oth. And he, to wit, Christ, shall smell, that is, very wisely and understandingly perceive and apprehend all things] in the fear of the LORD: [That is, he shall as a knower of hearts, know and perceive with whom the fear of the Lord is, and with whom it is not] and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes; [Understand this thus, that Christ shall not onely judge according to the outward shew and appearance, or onely according to words, (whereby one man often deceiveth another) but according to the disposition of the heart, as knowing the hearts, and searching the reins. See Joh.2.24,25. And chap.21.ver.15,16,17.] he shall not reprove [To wit, with words Oth. Punish; to wit, not onely with words, but also with stripes, or blows] according to the hearing of his ears. [That is, he shall not easily receive or entertain the complaints that are brought unto him, neither also the fair and smooth words of hypocrites, that have a shew of holiness. Or, he shall not judge of or from himself, but according as he shall have heard of his Father.]

4. But he shall Judge the poor with righteousness, [The meaning is, he shall indeed Judge and punish the poor, (To wit, the poor in spirit, as Matth.5.3.) but with gentleness, and equity, for their good. Or, he shall clear the godly and innocent, that are oppressed by the wicked and the men of this world, and shall deliver them from the power and violence of their adversaries. See Psal.72.4,12.] and reprove with equity the meek of the earth: [To wit, those that are meek, humble, and lowly in mind, out of a sense and apprehension of their sins. Oth. And he shall reprove with equity, for the meek of the earth’s sake. The meaning is, he shall exercise judgement or punishment upon the wicked, that he may deliver and defend the meek] but he shall smite the earth, [That is, the men upon the earth; to wit, the wicked, as straight way followeth. He shall smite them; To wit, their consciences, convincing them of their sins, acquainting them with their miseries and damnation. See hereof an example, Acts 2:37.] with the rod of his mouth, [That is, with the power of the preaching of the word, which is the Spiritual Seepter of his Kingdom, sharper then any two edged sword, Heb.4.12. See the like phrases, Psal.33.on vers.6, Job.22..22. and 2 Thes.2.8. Revel.1.16. and 2.16. and 19.15.] and with the breath of his lips [That is, with his word, or the preaching of it, as immediately before] shall he slay wicked. [That is, all wicked ones. That is, he shall convince the Doctrine of wicked-men of falsehood, and their life of wickedness; and he shall do it so powerfully, as that they shall be convinced in their own consciences, that they are worthy of damnation, or at least have deserved to be confounded and destroyed, 2 Thes.2.8. and finally he shall punish all impenitent ones indeed and in truth.]

5. For righteousness shall be in the girdle of his loins; also truth [Or, faithfulness] shall be the girdle of his loins. [That is, he shall be clothed and adorned, not as the Kings of this World are, with outward pomp of apparel; but with righteousness, and with faithfulness, or with truth and constancy of his promises. See Psal.45.4,5. And 72.4,12. Christ gi9veth his elect that which he promised them]

6. And the wolf shall converse [Or, dwell, lodge] with the lamb, and the leopard lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling [Or, the fatted cattle] together, [That is, evil, wicked, fierce, savage men, both Jews and Gentiles, shall by the preaching of Christ, and his Ministers, and by the inward working of his Holy Spirit, be so changed, that laying aside their evil dispositions, they shall be clothed with the spirit of love and meekness, so that they shall live and converse gently and civilly with others, without doing them any harm or mischief. See Isai.65.25. Hos.2.18.] and a little boy shall drive them. [That is, the least Disciple or Minister of the Lord Christ, though he be mean and base in the eyes of men, shall lead and guide them by the Doctrine of the Gospel: for there shall be voluntary, or willing obedience among men, they being inwardly moved by the Spirit of God, to receive and embrace the Word of the Lord.]

7. The cow and the she-bear shall feed together, their young ones shall lie down (together) and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [That is, the Princes and Lords or great ones of the World, shall suffer themselves to be led and guided by the preaching of the Word of God, as well as persons of inferior rank and quality: They shall be all of them fed and nourished with one kind of meat or food; to wit, with the Word of God]

8. And a sucking child shall sport himself [That is, it shall play] upon the hole of an adder; [See the annotat. Deut.32. on vers.33. and Psal.58.5. The meaning is, the meanest in the Church of God shall be in no fear or danger, that the great and mighty one should any way hurt or mischieve them, forasmuch as they shall be converted unto Christ, as well as the meanest, as appeareth further, vers.9.] and a weaned child shall put forth his hand into the cockatrice Den. [That is, those whose hearts were before full of venom or poison, shall be so cleansed and purified, that it shall be a recreation and delight to converse with them]

9. They shall no where hurt nor destroy in all the mountain of my holiness: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters do cover (the bottom of) the Sea., [This verse propoundeth the allegories contained in vers.6.7,8. The meaning is, Among believers that shall come to the true knowledge of God, one shall not hurt nor mischieve another, nor offer wrong or violence to each other; but they shall jointly and with one accord strive and endeavour to lead a godly, upright and honest life. See Isai.26.25. (They shall no where hurt, nor destroy in all the mountain of my holiness.) Or, of my Sanctuary; that is, in the Church or Congregation of believers. For in the Temple, which was built upon mount Zion, the Faithful were wont to assemble together. (for the earth) That is, the elect of God, or his children, that dwell on the earth. (shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover (the bottom of) the sea) Hebr. As the waters cover the sea. Here the sea signifieth as much as the bottom of the sea. And the meaning is, that the knowledge of the Lord shall richly or plentifully flow and abound in all places of the world.]

10. For it shall come to pass in that day, that the Gentiles shall enquire after the root of Isai, [That is, the Gentiles, shall hear the preaching of the Gospel with delight, and shall by it learn to know Christ. Others understand the words thus, the gentiles shall by that root, to wit, Christ, learn to know, and serve God, and consequently obtain eternal life. By the root of Isai here is meant Christ, who should sprout and issue forth from Isai the Father of David, as from a root. See above vers.1. and Rom.15.12.] which shall stand [Or, which shall be set up; to wit, by the preaching of the Gospel] for a banner of the nations, [It is a Prophecy concerning the calling of the Gentiles to the knowledge of Christ. (for a banner of the nations,) That is, whereunto the people or nations of all the earth shall flock, and meet together, in the unity of faith. See Genes.49. on vers, 10.] and his rest shall be glorious. [Hebr. His rest shall be honour, or, glory: That is, his church wherein he resteth, and taketh delight, it shall be full of honour and glory; namely, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost in some measure here in this life, and at last being fully & perfectly sanctified and glorified both in soul and body in the life to come. Oth. His rest shall be for glory. That is, it shall be glory to rest upon him, or to seek rest in him]

11. For it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall set to his hand the second time, to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Ethiopia, and from Elam, and from Sinear, and from Hamath, and from the Islands of the Sea. [Here the Prophet giveth a reason, and sheweth the glorious rest, which the Messiahs should give unto his people. (For it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall set to his hand, the second timer, &c.) As if he had said, as he stretched out his hand in former time, to deliver his people out of the land of Egypt: So shall he stretch it our again, for their deliverance or redemption, against their enemies both bodily and spiritual, sin and Satan. (to purchase) To wit, by his blood and Spirit, Act.20.28. Ephes.5.25,26,27. The Hebrew word signifieth to buy, redeem, ransom, to get, obtain, to appropriate to ones self, to make ones own, or, ones peculiar treasure. (the remnant of his people, which shall be self, &c.) To wit, those that should be converted unto Christ by the preaching of the Gospel, and should be made partakers of his Kingdom. See Rom.11.25,26. (and from Pathros) See Genes.10.13. In which chapter mention is likewise made of the rest of the nations and people that are here named. But of Hamath, see 2 Sam.8.9. (and from the Islands of the Sea.) That is, from the Islands lying beyond the Sea, or, by the Sea side.]

12. And he [To wit, the LORD] shall set up a banner among the Gentiles, [As above vers.10.] and he shall assemble the expelled of Israel, [Oth. That he may assemble, &c.] and gather together the dispersed of Juda, from the four ends, [Or, corners, climates. See Job 37:3. (and gather together, &c.) To wit, in Christ, who gathereth his Church from the four corners of the World, so that in him is spiritually fulfilled, that which God promised, Deut.30.4.]

13. And the envy of Ephraim [Understand here that envy, wherewith Ephraim envied the tribe of Juda: And understand under the name of Ephraim, the ten tribes of Israel] shall depart, and the adversaries of Juda shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Juda, [The meaning is, the church of Christ shall be united and live together in an holy peace] and Juda shall not distress [Or, set upon in an hostile manner, vex, torment, oppress] Ephraim. [The meaning is, there shall be no hatred nor envy among Christians, as there was formerly between Ephraim and Juda]

14. But they [To wit, Ephraim and Juda together] shall fire upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west, [This is spoken in a spiritual way; namely so, as that the faithful Israelites shall by the preaching of the Gospel, suddenly fall upon the Gentiles, lay hold of them, and conquer them, because they shall bring some of them to the Christian faith, and shall convince the rest, so that they shall have no excuse in the sight and presence of God. However the Prophet doth here intimate by this comparison, (taken from a bird of prey, or from a fox, that falleth upon poultry, and the like) the victory, which the Lord should grant unto his Church against here enemies; as the same was performed, or accomplished by the Apostles, and other Pastors and Teachers. (toward the west,) Hebr. Toward the Sea. The midland-sea lieth Westward of the land Canaan. The Prophet doth intimate here in this verse, that the Gospel should be preached both in the east and in the west. See Matth.8.11.] (and) they shall spoil them of the East [Hebr. The children of the east. See Job 1:3. and the annotat. There.] together: [Thus the prophet speaketh improperly of the preaching of the Word of God, as desiring to certify, that the church of Christ should assault and conquer all her enemies, by the power and blessing of the Lord, to bring the elect under his obedience] they shall lay their hands Hebr. The sending of their hands shall be] (upon) Edom and Moab, [That is, upon the Edomites and Moabites] and the children of Ammon [That is, the Ammonites] shall be obedient unto them. [To wit, because they shall embrace the Doctrine of the Gospel with a strong and lively faith.]

15. The LORD shall also ban the arm of the Sea of Egypt, and be shall shake his hand against the river, by the strength of his wind; and he shall smite it in the seven streams, and the shall make that men shall go through it with shoes. [Under borrowed terms, the Prophet sheweth that all lets and hinderances shall be removed, that might lie in the lets and hinderances shall be removed, that might lie in the peoples way, for to come unto Christ. As if he had said, the Lord shall sooner cause all waters, and among the rest the seven streams of the River Nilus to be dried up, then the course of the Gospel should be stopped or stayed, as in times past he dried up the waters of the red Sea, that the people might pass through it on dry ground, or dry hood. (The Lord shall also ban) [That is, utterly destroy, or confound. (the arm) Hebr. The tongue. (of the Sea of Egypt,) To wit, of the red sea reaching unto Egypt. (and he shall shake his hand) Oth. Lift up his hand, as it were in a threatening way, as is said of Assur, above chap.10. (against the river,) To wit, Nilus, which had seven issues or streams. But some understand here the River Euphrates, Others the river Jordan. (and he shall smite it in the seven streams,) The Hebrew word Nachal signifieth here the ditches or depths, through which thew waters float, or the bottom or ground of the River, which is like a valley when the waters are gone away. (and he shall cause that men) Or, that they; to wit, the faithful. (shall go through it with shoes.) Understand withal, without wetting them, or without plucking them off that they may not be wet.]

16. And there shall be a heaten way for the remnant of his people, which shall be left of Assur, [The meaning is, all things shall be smoothed and planted, and be without let or hinderance, when Christ shall gather his church by the preaching of the Gospel] like as it happened unto Israel in the day that came up out of the land of Egypt. [Going dry-shod through the red sea. Exod.14.29.]