Isaiah 11
CHAPTER 11
From the local and temporary national deliverance the prophet passes by the law of suggestion in an easy transition to the end of all prophecy--the everlasting deliverance under Messiah's reign, not merely His first coming, but chiefly His second coming. The language and illustrations are still drawn from the temporary national subject, with which he began, but the glories described pertain to Messiah's reign. Hezekiah cannot, as some think, be the subject; for he was already come, whereas the "stem of Jesse" was yet future ("shall come") (compare Micah 4:11 , &c. Micah 5:1 Micah 5:2 , Jeremiah 23:5 Jeremiah 23:6 , Jeremiah 33:15 Jeremiah 33:16 , Romans 15:12 ).
1. rod--When the proud "boughs" of "Lebanon" ( Isaiah 10:33 Isaiah 10:34 , the Assyrians) are lopped, and the vast "forests cut down" amidst all this rage, a seemingly humble rod shall come out of Jesse (Messiah), who shall retrieve the injuries done by the Assyrian "rod" to Israel ( Isaiah 10:5 Isaiah 10:6 Isaiah 10:18 Isaiah 10:19 ).
stem--literally, "the stump" of a tree cut close by the roots: happily expressing the depressed state of the royal house of David, owing to the hostile storm ( Isaiah 10:18 Isaiah 10:19 ), when Messiah should arise from it, to raise it to more than its pristine glory. Luke 2:7 proves this ( Isaiah 53:2 ; compare Job 14:7 Job 14:8 ;
Branch--Scion. He is nevertheless also the "root" ( Isaiah 11:10 , Revelation 5:5 , 22:16 . "Root and offspring" combines both, Zechariah 3:8 , 6:12 ).
2. Spirit of the Lord--JEHOVAH. The Spirit by which the prophets spake: for Messiah was to be a Prophet ( Isaiah 61:1 Deuteronomy 18:15 Deuteronomy 18:18 ). Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are specified, to imply that the perfection of them was to be in Him. Compare "the seven Spirits" ( Revelation 1:4 ), that is, the Holy Ghost in His perfect fulness: seven being the sacred number. The prophets had only a portion out of the "fulness" in the Son of God ( John 1:16 , 3:34 Colossians 1:19 ).
rest--permanently; not merely come upon Him ( Numbers 11:25 Numbers 11:26 ).
wisdom--( 1 Corinthians 1:30 , Ephesians 1:17 , Colossians 2:3 ).
understanding--coupled with "wisdom," being its fruit. Discernment and discrimination ( Matthew 22:18 , John 2:25 ).
counsel . . . might--the faculty of forming counsels, and that of executing them ( Isaiah 28:29 ). Counsellor ( Isaiah 9:6 ).
knowledge--of the deep things of God ( Matthew 11:27 ). The knowledge of Him gives us true knowledge ( Ephesians 1:17 ).
fear of the Lord--reverential, obedient fear. The first step towards true "knowledge" ( Job 28:28 , Psalms 111:10 ).