Like many people, I love animals. We live about a five minute drive from a big zoo in the Chicago suburbs, and often go there. My favorite animals to see are the bears and large cats, like tigers and lions. I would love to hug them, but I’m definitely not fool enough to climb over the fence to try it! However, there will come a day when you and I will be able to do just that, as our Scripture passage today from Isaiah foretells.
Isaiah’s prophetic ministry began in the 8th century BC, and he died sometime during the 7th century BC. This was prior to the Babylonian captivity and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Isaiah knew, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that God was going to punish the nation of Judah, that the kingdom would end, and the royal line of David would be removed. When this would happen the people would be distraught. There would no longer be a descendant of David sitting on the throne. It was like the giant family tree of David had been chopped down. Isaiah, though, brings a message of hope and good news.
In verse one we read of a rod coming forth from the stem of Jesse. The word translated “stem” comes from the Hebrew word “geza”, which comes from the word meaning a cut down tree, a stump. When we come across a tree stump, we usually think that’s the end for the tree. However, Isaiah says that a rod would come forth from this stump. The word “rod” is translated from the Hebrew word “choter” which means a branch, twig, or rod. Isaiah prophesied that, though the people thought that the family tree of David (whose father was Jesse) was chopped down to a stump, God would bring forth a branch out of that stump. This was a prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was from the bloodline of King David.
When the Messiah, Jesus, would come, He would have the Spirit of God upon Him, with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge (vs. 2). These spiritual qualities, which Jesus has in full measure, enable Him to rule justly and effectively, unlike any earthly king (vs. 3-5). The way He sees and views the world, His perception of things, is holy, just, and true.
Isaiah proceeds with his prophecy, bringing a description and picture of a world that we do not see today (vs. 6-9). His description shows a beautiful picture of peace that Jesus will bring when He returns. This peace will be all-encompassing. It will be between men, between animals, and between men and animals. In our world today we do not see wolves and lambs peacefully coexisting, nor leopards and goats, cattle and lions. Wild cats and wolves are higher up on the food chain, and prey upon animals such as sheep and goats. No caring mother would let her little child play near the nest of a venomous snake, as that could mean the death of her little one. Yet in the world that the prophet Isaiah shows, the world that the Messiah will usher in when He returns to reign, we see wild animals dwelling together peacefully. Wolves, leopards, and lions living side by side with lambs, goats, and cattle. Little children playing peacefully with cobras and vipers, and leading formerly dangerous animals like they would a pet.
One day this will be the type of world those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will see. One day God’s Word, the Bible, will encompass the whole world, just as thoroughly as the waters cover the sea (vs. 9). In some places today, it is difficult to get a copy of the Bible, and one has to read it in secret if they are fortunate enough to get a copy. In other places where the Bible is easily obtained, people just ignore it. That will not be the case when the Lord Jesus reigns. Jesus, the Messiah, the Root who came from the tree of Jesse, came not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles (vs. 10). God’s love and salvation has always been for everyone.
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