Scripture Text (NRSV)
Isaiah 11:1-10
11:1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch
shall grow out of his roots.
11:2 The spirit of the LORD shall 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.
11:3 His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not
judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear;
11:4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide
with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with
the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill
the wicked.
11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and
faithfulness the belt around his loins.
11:6 The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down
with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a
little child shall lead them.
11:7 The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down
together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
11:8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the
weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den.
11:9 They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the
earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover
the sea.
11:10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to
the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall
be glorious.
Comments:
Hello: well I am reading oput of the King James bible. It reads, And
there shall come out of the root of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out
of his roots: Then in Chptr.11 it says, it will come from the root of
Jesse again, who is it who will come from the root of Jesse? Thanks
for asking, because I was about to tell you. This entire chapter leads
up to the birth of Jesus Christ. In verses 2,3 the spirit of the Lord
rests upon him, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of
knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; Then in the following verse He
shall get the understanding in the fear of the Lord, he won't judge
after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after hearing what they
have to say. With righteousnesshe judges 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 will he slay the
wicked.
Verse 10 does not belong.
Verses 1-3 is regarding the first comming.
Verses 4-9 is regarding the second comming and the millenium period.
Contrary to the anonymous poster, verse 10 clarifies that the
peaceable kingdom is not for Israel (or America) alone, but for all
nations. It also ties the 1st and 2nd lessons together. So it does add
something to Isaiah's vision. -- Mike in Maryland
When Isaiah chose the imagery of a sprout, I was reminded of the drive
for life that is in most living plants. Roots possess such strength
that they can break apart concrete. I have seen shoots growing out of
stumps and between the crevices of rocks and flourish. If this imagery
parallels faith in the restoration of covenant with Israel in exile or
faith in general, what an incredible drive for life grows out of
faith. TN Mack
"They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain... (v.9) I
wonder what Ariel Sharon would do with this verse, he who in his quest
for political power, with one greedy, grasping visit to the Temple
Mount, touched off the present carnage in Israel. --NJPiney
"They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain... (v.9) I
wonder what Ariel Sharon would do with this verse, he who in his quest
for political power, with one greedy, grasping visit to the Temple
Mount, touched off the present carnage in Israel. --NJPiney
This passage is much more difficult for me to preach than the Gospel
passage with John the Baptist. For one, when times are rough, it is
always easier to point fingers and list the things of which we need to
repent than it is to point toward the good things that are happening.
Secondly, when we do search for examples of what God is doing in our
midst, so often our examples end up being weak and smaltzy. And
lastly, how do we answer the stranger who might ask us where this
passage is fulfilled in the Gospels' story of Jesus? I guess what I am
saying is that it is easier to see the sins of the present and the
past than it is to see the presence of the kingdom.
However, I am told that the job of the church, however, is to point
out the kingdom in the right here and now. Maybe, in light of these
challenges I have raised, I will just lift up our faith --our blind
trust that, in spite of lack of signs and fuzzy feelings, God will
make good on his promises.
DSS
I was reading through and got stuck on v. 3a,"His delight shall be in
the fear of the Lord."
I think of storm chasers and roller coaster junkies, those who want to
go right to the edge and look over, who delight in the awesome that
almost overwhelms them. They may delight because they recognise the
potential power for destruction yet think that they are safe.
How delightful it would be to know the awesome power of God, to
experience it close-up and personal and yet know it to be for rather
than against you. 'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace
my fears relieved. Getting close and personal with God is the ultimate
thrill ride! tom in TN(USA)
The nature of man will change, just as the nature of the beasts
change. After The Fall, all were corrupted, including the beasts.
Ergo, their aggressive, predatory nature. But, with the arrival of the
Messiah, the nature of both man and beast will be restored by unity.
JGV in KY.
I disagree with the thought that verse 10 does not belong, rather I
suspect that the passage is cut short prematurely as the whole of
chapter 11 makes a coherent reading.
I also disagree that Isaiah was referring to two different events in
the passage. Maybe to eyes conditioned to interpret things in the
light of our reality it looks like that but I suspect thatIsaiah saw
all of this as one big event, when the Riegn of God would come to pass
all these things would happen, led by a branch from the roots of
Jesse.
Gord in ON
I'll add my two cents. Advent is a time of waiting. This passage
speaks of a world that we long for, but is painfully absent. Advent is
a time to dream and long and hope. The early Christians read this and
saw Jesus, but there was (and is) still much to long for. We pray thy
kingdom come, thy will be done. "I still haven't found what I'm
looking for" (U-2)
Larry cny
Hayes and Irvine also make a compelling argument that questions the
conventional scholastic position that v. 10 was added by a later
author. I also believe that Isaiah had a vision of a wonderful future,
and that God gave him the vision, but I don't think he conceived
specifically of US in OUR day, post-first coming, and pre-second
coming. What Isaiah offers is a vision of hope for all time, arising
from something that originally appeared dead, cut down. Interesting
that there is discrepency as to the translations of whether this was a
stump or a root, or just what ... Nevertheless, the hope is that life
comes and perseveres stubbornly (haven't we all had stumps that keep
growing when we don't even want them to?)
Hope will win, as will peace.
Sally in GA
If you are interested in a modern parallel to the shoot of Jesse
image, you might research the plight of the American Chestnut. Some
eighty years ago, the American was wiped out by a blight brought over
(I believe this is accurate) on the Japanese cherry trees which
blossom in splendor each spring in Washington D.C. However the stumps
of old American chestnut trees have shoots that sprout and grow for a
few years then die from the blight that remains in the soil. However,
this sprouting continues to this day. Botanists are experimenting with
crossing these sprouts with blight resistant Chinese chestnuts to
create a tree that would be predominately of the American chestnut
variety and yet blight resistance. The restoration of a once great
tree could be a symbol of God's ongoing desire to restore creation to
its pre-sin state like the image of Jesse's stump.
I don't usually make useful contributions to this site because my
thoughts don't come together until Saturday, and by then I'm so
desparate I don't want to take the time to report them. But I preached
on this passage before, so finally I may be able to say something
helpful, rather than just asking questions and hearing your thoughts.
I focused on the verse, "he shall not judge by what his eyes see, nor
decide by what his ears hear...but with equity he will decided for the
meek of the earth."
For those of us who are not the Messiah, we have to at least begin
with what our eyes see and what our ears hear. That may sound like a
simple thing, but many people never make it to this step. They just
decide by what they want to see, or what they wish to hear. Haven't
you had a teacher, or a boss, or even parents, who, no matter what you
do, you can't please them. In their eyes you are bed, and if you act
good, they don't see or recognize it.
The opposite happens as well, where people refuse to see anything bad
about someone. I have known women who stay in abusive relationships,
because they can't bring themselves to believe what is happening to
them, or to their children. If they really saw what was going on, they
would also have to face a big change. Maybe they would have to lose
the relationship entirely, and move out. Many times that seems too
much to handle, so they close their eyes, and convince themselves that
it's really not so bad.
You can get into big trouble by not paying attention to what you see
and hear. History is full of examples of heads of state and leaders
who refused to believe the facts. How many thousands of soldiers have
died in wars because their generals wouldn't face that it was a
loosing battle? And the head of state in South Africa won't admit that
AIDS is caused by HIV. The first step away from being naive, or
downright stupid and wasteful, is to judge by what our eyes see and
what our ears hear. It's called facing reality.
But the Messaih does not do that. Why not? Because things are not
always as they appear, and what you hear may not be the truth at all,
but may rather be a rumor, or even a self-serving lie. Yes, we have to
judge by what we see and hear. But sometimes there is more to the
picture. A family can appear loving and functional in public. But at
home they may be falling apart, or seething with anger and hatred. In
I Samuel it says "People look on the outward appearance, but God looks
on the hear." (16:7)
That's enough for now... got to do household duties. Hope this is
helpful. DGinNYC
God has been good this week to give me my "three-pointer" a bit early
during Wed. prayer meeting so I share it hoping it sparks some
thought.
The Coming Kingdom
1. Upright (1-5) - In a democracy, we get what we deserve. If we elect
godly people, a godly administration has a chance of coming from that.
If we elect ungodly people, that hope is less likely. However, in
Messiah's kingdom, there is no question; we will have a godly reign
characterized by wisdom and understanding, the fear of the Lord, true
judgments, and most of all, righteousness.
2. Unique (6-8) A world free of natural fears. P.T. Barnum used to
have an exhibition of fierce cats with a single lamb all lying
together as sort of a preview of this passage. When asked how it
worked out, he said it was fine, except he occasionally had to replace
the lamb. Whatever our efforts to make this world right, they are only
temporary; but when Messiah brings that kingdom, it will be a
permanent change; unique indeed.
3. Universal - (9-11) Farewell to boundaries. The one world so many
try to achieve by political means will come about by God's means. We
cannot do it; He will and He can do it because of what verses 1-5 say.
JGinWI
More on "the outward appearance." When we just look on the outward
appearance, it is easy to feel hopeless. When I see a person sleeping
on the street, surrounded by garbage, stoned out of his mind, I tend
to write him off as hopeless. But there are some people who have come
up through our lunch program who used to be like that. And now they
are living sober lives, keeping up an apartment, and even helping
others. The change didn't happen quickly or magically. It required a
lot of hard work. But the change is real. And there is reason to hope.
The Russian people have a pessimistic proverb: "All roads lead to
disaster." Maybe they feel that way because historically they have had
little power over their lives or their fate. But hopelessness
perpetuates powerlessness. If you accept that there's nothing you can
do, then there's not much chance that anything will ever change.
This connects to the gospel lesson because John the Baptist did hope
for change. He didn't call people to repentance so that they could
grovel in their sin, and feel worthless. He didn't judge by what his
eyes saw. He was hoping and preparing for change.
DGinNYC
My sermon title will be "Christmas is for Children of all ages." I
want to focus on the sense of imagination and wonder in this OT
passage and tie it to the excitement of children at Christmas. During
Advent, adults tend to focus on the many things they have to do, how
much money they are spending, broken relationships, etc. To truly
celebrate Christmas we need to recover a sense of mysery and
expectation, i.e. we need to be more like Children. Mystery doesn't
require bigger presents under the tree either. It may be something as
outlandish as a dream of peace. --Fred in NC
To the unsigned poster of the American Chestnut parable; Thanks. This
is the week we do hanging of the greens. (We wait 'til after the 1st
Sunday in Dec. because that's Communion and in hanging greens we cover
the altar rail.) This week will be the appearance of the Chrismon Tree
and an appropriate ocassion to make a tree centered sermon.
Here in the South-East cedars are common as grass and we always cut
one of these. Many times what looks like a well shaped tree from a
distance, on closer inspection is discovered to be a collection of
trunks fron a single root ball. This happens when bush-hogging cuts
off the little trees above ground and several more sprout from the
living roots. The Hebrews/Jews were like that. As long as they were
rooted in God they came back again and again from being cut down by
enemies. Isaiah saw a particular family tree producing a new shoot
from the same root stock as King David who would be of the same fiber,
filled with the same sap.
The Chestnut blight is a parable of sin in our family tree that can
only be overcome by the grafting in of the righteous branch which is
resistant to the disease of sin. Good one!
Might even work in how Sin entered in through the fruit of a tree and
was overcome by the death of Christ on a tree(cross). Lots of
potential. Much of it is old hat, but the American Chestnut bit is a
new twist in the tale. Thanks again. tom in TN(USA)
I see the stump. Barren. Cut off. Dead. No more shade, nor more fruit.
The days of picnics under that tree are gone.
I am thinking of many people who feel cut off: divorcees, amputees,
widows and widowers, the terminally ill, the jobless. I have a lot of
these in my congregation. The commercial Christmas exaggerates their
lonliness. Community support groups offer little more than
self-centered pity parties with no real hope.
Is there any hope? Look closely. It is so little, so insignificant. A
little green shoot coming out of a dead stump? What is there in that
shoot? What kind of strength does righteousness have? Are we to
believe that there is one who can contend with our enemies simply by
the breath of his lips? And a little child shall lead them?
As we say in the south, "Aw shoot!" translated "yea, right" "give me a
break"
Have you ever noticed how little energy it takes to be cynical and how
much is required to have faith? Once you've been cut off it is
difficult to imagine being restored or renewed. To have hope asks
something of us even when the source of hope is not us.
How can you focus on a little shoot when the stump is so much larger,
so much more dead?
Is good news stronger than bad news? Love stronger than hate? Peace
stronger than war? Forgiveness stronger than sin? Reconciliation
stronger than alienation? Advent than hopelessness? Life stronger than
death?
Sometimes it takes a little child to preach this stuff.
Fred in LA
For my CHILDREN’S TIME, I'm doing something a little weird - but it's
a fun verse to play with. I'm also titling my sermon, "The Listerine
Savior." The children's time is a bit simplistic, but I hope to
expound upon some of the ideas in the rest of my message - talking
about how we have a hard time anticipating how peace requires such
courage, and how words have such a powerful impact... Just some
meanderings. CHILDREN'S SERMON OUTLINE: “…and with the breath of his
lips, he shall kill the wicked.” (Isa. 11:4d) What’s mouthwash for?
Get rid of bad breath Is Isaiah talking about a Savior who would have
monster bad breath that he could kill people? (Some scholars would say
“yes” – dental hygiene wasn’t much back then, but I would say that’s
not what this is about.) We believe that Jesus is the Savior Isaiah
was talking about. What was Jesus’ breath and Jesus’ words for?
Helping us see ourselves (good or bad). Listerine slogan – “kills the
germs that can cause bad breath” Jesus “kills the germs” in us that
would make us unpleasant to be around. How does Jesus do that – with
righteousness and faithfulness. (Helping us see right from wrong and
good from bad.)
Pastor Kerra in PA
Though the analogy doesn't hold if pushed to its extremes, I couldn't
help thinking of the Twin Towers that also were "cut down" much like
the dynasty of David. We, like the residents of Judah, have had (some
of) our hopes and dreams dashed. What God will bring out of that
"stump" may not be as miraculous as Isaiah's peacable kingdom, we're
invited to dream of a world where the unimaginable is true. Enemies
reconciled as friends.
I like Wm. Willimon's note that "...there are times like the present
when we want to say and to see more, and we reach for the poetic."
Also, "Thankfully, by the grace of God, I've lost my childish faith in
the world as it is." His point is that the poetry of Isaiah invites us
to enter into God's imagination which to some may sound foolish
(naive? idealistic?). But God's foolishness is wiser than our wisdom.
Though it's not fully formed that's the direction I'm going in this
Sunday.
JGC in MA
Why this continual focus on the temporary? Christ's purpose in our
world in not to rebuild towers or restore to us that which will only
die later. His purpose is to bring something new. Yes, Jesse's root
has been cut to a stump; but by the power of God, it is not a tree
that has grown from this stump, but our eternal salvation.
Will negotiations bring peace to the Middle East? I do hope and pray
so, but I do so with the recognition that whatever is done, it will be
temporary. In the end, only the Branch will bring lasting peace.
Will the Americans rebuild the WTC? Probably; but whatever they build
will be temporary in one way or the other.
All that we do in this world is temporary except that which is done by
Christ in the lives of people. Get warring factions to lay down their
arms? Good; but they'll pick them up again. Rebuild towers? Good idea,
but they won't last forever. Rebuild a human life? Eternal benefit!
Don't you wish newspapers would publish the story of a life
transformed by God's power? I know the word in heaven is that the
angels celebrate such things. Maybe we're missing the real story.
JGinWI
Someone sent me a quote that may fit in my sermon this week as I deal
with the vision that God gives us through Isaiah. It's from the hockey
great, Gretsky: "Skate to where the puck is going, and not to where
it's been." Janie in OK
JGinWI - Thank you for your two helpful posts this week. My vegetarian
daughter didn't like the P.T. Barnum quote, but I did and will use it.
DGinNYC
JGV in KY: I know the biblical concept, addressed by Paul, that all
creation "fell" in the fall of humankind and awaits restoration, but,
as a lover of science, it's hard for me to see anything imperfect
about God's creation when I observe it now. I tend to see this passage
as looking to a fundamental change in the nature of creation.
Elsewhere in Isaiah, God speaks of doing "a new thing," -- something
unprecedented, not seen before. Someone else in another posting talked
about Isaiah using the language of the poetic to bring us into the
world of God's dream for his creation. That's whait I see when I read
this text. DGinNYC: Don't wait for your thoughts to come together to
share with us! I think your musings might have more value than some of
our full-blown sermons! Thanks! Ken in WV
I thought I would try to work out the idea that after I baptize a
child or when a young person kneels to be confirmed after making a
confession of faith I place my hands on their head and pray (as
directed by our Book of Common Worship)O Lord, uphold N. by your Holy
Spirit.Give him/her the spirit of wisdom and understanding,the spirit
of counsel and might,the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the
Lord,the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.
