The Root of Jesse ∙∙
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. – Isaiah 11:1
Jeremiah 23:5 I, the LORD, promise that a new time will certainly come when I will raise up for them a righteous branch, a descendant of David. He will rule over them with wisdom and understanding and will do what is just and right in the land.
Trees can be primarily divided into two categories: deciduous and coniferous. Deciduous trees display a seasonal transformation, shedding their leaves annually, while coniferous trees, also known as evergreens, maintain their foliage throughout the year.
Coniferous trees germinate and mature solely from seeds. Once these trees are felled, they cannot regenerate from the stump. Although new shoots might appear later, they will not replicate the original tree. Conversely, deciduous trees can sprout anew from their stumps, enabled by their root system.
The Father, being righteous and holy, promises to enact judgment upon the nation of Israel due to its persistent defiance and sin. He has appointed Assyria as the executor of this judgment. Nevertheless, Assyria will face its own consequences for harming Israel.
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.
Assyria is pictured as a coniferous tree. It will be cut down and not grow back.
Ezekiel 31:3 Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade and towering height, its top among the clouds.
The Assyrians’ devastation of the Northern Kingdom of Israel was likened to a deciduous forest where trees had been cut down. These trees, however, held the potential for regrowth. Following the completion of this judgment, the Father promised to rejuvenate the remaining remnant of Israel.
In contrast, when the Lord’s judgment on the Assyrians was finalized, they were lopped off completely, never to grow back. The once towering and arrogant empire of Assyria was utterly vanquished.
Isaiah 10:33-34
33 But look! The Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, will chop down the mighty tree of Assyria with great power! He will cut down the proud. That lofty tree will be brought down.
34 He will cut down the forest trees with an ax. Lebanon will fall to the Mighty One.
Isaiah 10:18 The LORD will consume Assyria’s glory like a fire consumes a forest in a fruitful land; it will waste away like sick people in a plague.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father always keeps His promises.
Father there are times when it seems like things cannot get any worse, driving me to a state of desperation. Father, I regret that it’s often only in these times that I reach out to You. Yet, Your faithfulness remains unwavering. You are always faithful, no matter what.
INSIGHT
In 722 BC, the Assyrians overthrew the 10 Northern Tribes of Israel, leading them into captivity. Roughly 150 years afterward, the Babylonians captured the two Southern Tribes, reducing the Nation of Israel to what resembled a felled stump at the hands of their adversaries. However, during the era of Roman domination, an event seemed entirely beyond the realm of possibility. From this seemingly lifeless stump emerged a new growth. In Bethlehem, the promised Branch from David’s lineage was born.
Isaiah, along with other Jewish prophets, looked well past Israel’s immediate tribulations. They envisioned and foretold the arrival of the kingdom of God on earth and the fulfillment of their prophecies.
Isaiah 11:1-11
1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
3 He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.
4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
10 In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people.
Jeremiah 23:5 I the LORD, promise that a new time will certainly come when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
The Father sustained a faithful remnant among the Jews. Through this remnant, the Scriptures were written, safeguarded, and transmitted. From them came the Messiah. In the future, a descendant of David will govern the world from Jerusalem, demonstrating the Father as the ultimate moving force of history.
Isaiah 41:26-27
26 Who told you from the beginning that this would happen? Who predicted this, making you admit that he was right? No one said a word!
27 I was the first to tell Zion, “Look! Help is on the way!” I will send Jerusalem a messenger with good news.
The Father’s methods might appear strange, mysterious, or even unfathomable. The children of the King often face challenging times and adversities. It’s as if we’ve been reduced to nothing but a stump, seemingly worthless and lifeless. Yet, in our darkest moments, when all seems lost, we are reminded of the Father’s promise concerning the Branch from Jesse’s root.
The Father has given us magnificent, precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). He has wonderful dreams for each child of the King. Could it be that He finds our goals and ambitions too limited? We seem to settle for so little, accepting far less than what is offered.
The Father has promised us that we can share His divine nature, freeing us from earthly corruption and constraints. Despite the abundance the Father offers, why do we continue to live as if we were paupers and had nothing?
2 Peter 1:4 Because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
“Isaiah’s vision of God can stimulate in us such a longing that we stop settling . . .” (C.S. Lewis).
Revelation 5:5 Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome . . .
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 