Isa 11:1-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 11:1-16: 11:1-16 The kingdom of the Messiah, first introduced in 9:1-7 , is now considered in more detail. Isaiah challenged the Israelites about why they would trust in any of the nations when God had far better plans in mind. 11:1 stump ... shoot ... new Branch ... from the old root: This new growth refers to the continuity of David’s royal family line despite its virtual cessation during the Exile (see also 6:13 ; 39:7 ; Rev 22:16 ). The new growth from the old roots would not be like the former frail and unjust descendants of David (see Isa 4:2 ). Jesus, the Messiah, is the final fulfillment.

Summary for Isa 11:1-16: 11:1-16 ^a The kingdom of the Messiah, first introduced in 9:1-7 ^b, is now considered in more detail. Isaiah challenged the Israelites about why they would trust in any of the nations when God had far better plans in mind. 11:1 ^c stump ... shoot ... new Branch ... from the old root: This new growth refers to the continuity of David’s royal family line despite its virtual cessation during the Exile (see also 6:13 ^d; 39:7 ^e; Rev 22:16 ^f). The new growth from the old roots would not be like the former frail and unjust descendants of David (see Isa 4:2 ^g). Jesus, the Messiah, is the final fulfillment.
11:2 ^h The Spirit of the Lord will rest on the Messiah. The succession of David’s line is guaranteed by the Spirit. The Messiah’s coming would bring justice and righteousness (11:4 ⁱ), peace (11:8 ^j), and the extension of the Kingdom to the nations (11:10 ^k; see also 32:15-16 ^l).

• The promised Messiah would have great wisdom and understanding, like Solomon, as well as knowledge and the fear of the Lord (1 Kgs 3:28 ^m; 4:29 ⁿ; Prov 1:1-7 ^o; 2:6-7 ^p).

• The Spirit of counsel and might alludes to Isa 9:6 ^q. The Messiah will be full of wisdom and will have the power to execute his righteous rule.
11:3 ^r obeying the Lord: Literally the fear of the Lord, as in 11:2 ^s (see Prov 1:7 ^t).
11:4 ^u The poor and ... the exploited would receive the justice due to them, which the wicked leaders of Judah had previously withheld.

• the force of his word: Literally the scepter of his mouth (see Ps 2:9 ^v; Rev 19:15 ^w).
11:5 ^x By virtue of the righteous character of the Messiah, his reign will be characterized by justice, righteousness, and truth, in contrast to the conditions of Jerusalem described in 1:21 ^y.