Isaiah 11-14

July 25

Isaiah 11-14

Isaiah tells of God’s judgment and destruction of Israel by the Assyrians. Outward appearances are that there is no hope left for God’s chosen people, but God has a bigger plan. God promises that after He punishes Israel, He will later deliver them from the same people He used to bring judgment upon them. From the stump of Jesse, a shoot will come up.

If you have ever looked over a section of timber that has just been cut, it looks barren. If you did not know better, you would think life in that section of land was over. But it does not take long before you can go back to that piece of land and see life springing from the cutover timber. God cut Israel down because she turned her back on God. She refused to repent. She refused to walk in obedience to God’s commands. She ran after the idols of other nations. God cut her down to size.

But God did not leave her without a promise. Out of the stump came a “messianic” ruler. A ruler anointed by God, filled with the Holy Spirit, who would judge with wisdom, power, and righteousness. This role was ultimately filled by Jesus and will be fulfilled completely when He returns to restore the Kingdom of God on earth. No matter what we may face in our lives, when we know God, when we have a relationship with Jesus, we can maintain hope because of the promises of God. He is in control and will ultimately bring peace and safety to all His people.