ISAIAH 11 THE REIGN OF THE BRANCH

ISAIAH 11

The reign of the BRANCH

 

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 

In contrast to the dense, flourishing forest that symbolised the Assyrians, here we are presented with the image of a slender twig, a shoot sprouting from the root of a decayed and fallen tree. This contrast extends not only to appearance but also to character and destiny. From the lineage of Jesse and David, the Branch shall arise — a description beautifully suited to an ancient family fallen into obscurity, yet from which a descendant would spring forth and flourish.

Isa 11:2  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 of the fear of the LORD; 

The third person of the Godhead would descend upon Him and remain with Him. The Spirit of Yahweh would rest upon Him, endowing Him with wisdom to act prudently, and understanding to discern, distinguish, and judge rightly. He would possess ability to counsel and guide those who seek advice and have might — the strength of heart and steadfastness of purpose to face trials, confront danger, and carry out His duty with boldness and fearlessness. He would be filled with knowledge concerning the attributes and purposes of Yahweh, having known and seen the Father. Above all, He would manifest piety — a strong, unwavering desire to please God, showing reverence for His commands, and a holy dread of offending the LORD.

Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 

The Spirit of the fear of the LORD would fill Him, drawing Him continually to God in reverent awe. His judgments would not be based on mere appearance, nor swayed by partiality. Neither would He correct, reprove, or condemn through the deceptions of persuasive speech or skilfully constructed arguments. His discernment would pierce beyond outward form to the heart of the matter.

Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 

He would judge the poor — the humble, the penitent, and those of low estate — with justice and righteousness, showing no undue regard for the powerful. He would plead the cause of the meek and oppressed with integrity. The wicked would be overthrown by the authoritative word of His mouth. By His preaching, declarations, and righteous judgments, He would subdue and bring low those who oppose the ways of God.

Isa 11:5  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 

His zeal for righteousness, justice, loyalty, and truth would strengthen and steady Him in carrying out the great work appointed to Him. These qualities would be as a girdle about His loins, giving Him vigour, readiness, and ease in the execution of His divine commission. Such were the distinguishing traits found in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who came through the lineage of Jesse, the father of King David. 

Isa 11:6  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 

From this verse onwards, the prophecy adopts a poetic description, portraying a vision of peace, harmony, and security through pairs of creatures — wild and tame, predator and prey — dwelling together in safety. Wolves shall live peaceably with young lambs, leopards lie beside goat kids, and calves and young lions in their hunting stage shall feed together. In the midst of them, a little child shall lead them unharmed, symbolising the innocence and trust of that reign of peace.

Isa 11:7  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 

The imagery continues as the cow and bear feed side by side, their young ones lying together in peace. Even the lion, known for its ferocity, shall eat straw like the ox. Such a transformation in the very nature of predatory creatures illustrates how peace can only truly reign when the character of the violent and oppressive is changed. It symbolises a time when wild, destructive natures are subdued, and the heart of man is renewed by the reign of righteousness.

Isa 11:8  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 

A nursing infant shall play harmlessly near the hole of the asp — a venomous serpent — and a weaned child shall put his hand upon the glittering opening, the shining eye of the cockatrice, a deadly snake. The word rendered den here refers not to a lair or burrow, but to a lighted aperture, likely the gleaming, watchful eye of the serpent itself. This striking image conveys a state of perfect safety, where even the most vulnerable are unharmed amidst the most dangerous, reflecting the complete peace and security under the Messiah’s reign.

Isa 11:9  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

No harm or destruction shall be found throughout the LORD’s holy mountain — meaning within the sphere of His reign and dominion. This prophetic image signifies that the predatory instincts of creatures shall be transformed, and likewise, the violent, destructive passions of humanity will be subdued. Just as the waters fill and cover the sea without measure, so shall the earth be filled with the knowledge of the LORD — people knowing Him personally, reverently, and accurately, in alignment with His will and purposes.

While the exact time of this state is not specified, many have interpreted it as a glimpse of the millennial reign following the Second Coming of Christ, where peace shall extend to every corner of creation.

 Isa 11:10  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. 

In that day — the time of the Messiah’s reign — a shoot from the root of Jesse shall stand as a banner and rallying point for His people. Even the Gentiles, once strangers to the covenants of promise, shall seek Him, finding peace and refuge in His name. The rest and salvation He offers shall be celebrated and glorious, surpassing all earthly peace and security.

Isa 11:11  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 

In that day, when this prophecy comes to pass, the Lord shall, by His own hand, fulfil His word. He will redeem the remnant of His people — those who have survived His judgments and turned to Him in righteousness. The first gathering likely alludes to the return from Babylonian captivity, though at that time the exiles were not dispersed across so many nations as listed here. This verse looks ahead to a future and more universal gathering, possibly at the Second Coming of Christ, when the faithful remnant will be recovered from every land where they are scattered.

Isa 11:12  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 

The Lord shall raise Himself as a banner to the nations, a rallying point for both Israel and Judah. All those scattered to the farthest parts of the earth shall be gathered unto Him, united under His rule and peace.

Isa 11:13  The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. 

In that day, the divisions between Ephraim and Judah — representing the northern and southern kingdoms — shall be healed. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, and Judah shall no longer oppress Ephraim. Their enemies will have been cut off, and peace, harmony, and unity shall reign among the people of God.

 Isa 11:14  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. 

With the remnant’s return and the gathering of God’s people, they shall play a vital role in spreading the knowledge of the Messiah. Swiftly, like a bird of prey descending upon its target, they shall move into the territories of their former enemies — the Philistines to the west, and the peoples of the east. Edom, Moab, and Ammon, representing all who oppose the truth, shall be won over — not by force, but through the power of the gospel. This imagery signifies the rapid and far-reaching evangelising work of God’s people, bringing nations and adversaries alike under the gracious reign of Christ.

Isa 11:15  And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. 

This figurative language means that every obstacle to the peace and safety of God’s people shall be removed, making their way clear and secure. Just as the Lord once divided the Red Sea for Israel’s deliverance, He will, if necessary, dry up the Egyptian sea again. The mighty river shall be divided into many streams by the hand of God, so that even the smallest and most vulnerable could cross over without getting their feet wet. This signifies the complete and unhindered restoration of God’s people.

Isa 11:16  And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. 

The Lord will prepare a clear, open path for the remnant of His people to return from Assyria, removing every obstruction, just as He did when Israel came out of Egypt. Those who had been scattered and oppressed shall find a way made for them to return in safety and peace.

  

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