the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Isaiah 11:1-16; ; Isaiah 12:1-6
Vv. 18, 19, 33 and 34 in ch. 10 compare Israel with a proud forest in which the axe and the saw (Assyria in the LORD’s hand, 10:15) will cut vast clearings. And the royal tree of Judah will also be cut down because there will soon be no descendant of David on the throne. But it happens in the natural world that young shoots full of sap grow on a freshly cut stump. On the "stem of Jesse", which appears to be dead, a completely new shoot has appeared! It has grown up in the presence of God and borne the fruit of the Spirit abundantly (Isaiah 11:2).
The branch, the root and the offspring of David (vv. 1, 10; Revelation 22:16) are names given to the Lord Jesus in connection with the blessing of Israel and the world. At that time, righteousness and peace will reign on the earth, even among the animals. What a contrast between this delightful picture of the one thousand years reign and the present state of creation which "groaneth and travaileth", awaiting the coming rest and glory (Romans 8:19-22)! All the exiles of Israel will share in that reign. They will return from their places of exile, just as previously the people returned from their bondage in Egypt. And ch. 12 puts into their mouths the final note of praise which recalls the first hymn sung by Israel (cf. Isaiah 12:2 and Exodus 15:2).
