Isaia 11

1 ED uscirà un Rampollo del tronco d’Isai, ed una pianterella spunterà dalle sue radici.

2 E lo Spirito del Signore riposerà sopra esso; lo Spirito di sapienza e d’intendimento; lo Spirito di consiglio e di fortezza; lo Spirito di conoscimento e di timor del Signore.

3 E il suo diletto sarà nel timor del Signore, ed egli non giudicherà secondo la veduta de’ suoi occhi, e non renderà ragione secondo l’udita de’ suoi orecchi.

4 Anzi giudicherà i poveri in giustizia, e renderà ragione in dirittura ai mansueti della terra; e percoterà la terra con la verga della sua bocca, ed ucciderà l’empio col fiato delle sue labbra.

5 E la giustizia sarà la cintura de’ suoi lombi, e la verità la cintura de’ suoi fianchi.

6 E il lupo dimorerà con l’agnello, e il pardo giacerà col capretto; e il vitello, e il leoncello, e la bestie ingrassata staranno insieme; ed un piccol fanciullo li guiderà.

7 E la vacca e l’orsa pasceranno insieme; e i lor figli giaceranno insieme; e il leone mangerà lo strame come il bue.

8 E il bambino di poppa si trastullerà sopra la buca dell’aspido, e lo spoppato stenderà la mano sopra la tana del basilisco.

9 Queste bestie, in tutto il monte della mia santità, non faran danno, nè guasto; perciocchè la terra sarà ripiena della conoscenza del Signore, a guisa che le acque coprono il mare.

10 Ed avverrà che in quel giorno, le genti ricercheranno la radice d’Isai, che sarà rizzata per bandiera de’ popoli; e il suo riposo sarà tutto gloria.

11 Oltre a ciò, avverrà in quel giorno, che il Signore metterà di nuovo la mano per la seconda volta a racquistare il rimanente del suo popolo, che sarà rimasto di Assur, e di Egitto, e di Patros, e di Cus, e di Elam, e di Sinar, e di Hamat, e delle isole del mare.

12 Ed alzerà la bandiera alle nazioni, e adunerà gli scacciati d’Israele, ed accoglierà le dispersioni di Giuda, da’ quattro canti della terra.

13 E la gelosia di Efraim sarà tolta via, e i nemici di Giuda saran distrutti; Efraim non avrà più gelosia a Giuda, e Giuda non sarà più nemico di Efraim.

14 Anzi, congiuntamente voleranno addosso a’ Filistei, verso Occidente; e prederanno insieme i figliuoli di Oriente; metteranno la mano sopra Edom, e sopra Maob; e i figliuoli di Ammon ubbidiranno loro.

15 E il Signore seccherà la lingua del mar di Egitto, e scoterà la sua mano sopra il fiume, nella forza del suo Spirito; e lo percoterà ne’ suoi sette rami, e farà che vi si camminerà con le scarpe.

16 Vi sarà eziandio una strada, per lo rimanente del suo popolo che sarà rimasto di Assur, siccome ve ne fu una per Israele, nel giorno ch’egli salì fuor del paese di Egitto.

Isaia 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

The peaceful character of Christ's kingdom and subjects. (1-9) The conversion of the Gentiles and Jews. (10-16)

Verses 1-9 The Messiah is called a Rod, and a Branch. The words signify a small, tender product; a shoot, such as is easily broken off. He comes forth out of the stem of Jesse; when the royal family was cut down and almost levelled with the ground, it would sprout again. The house of David was brought very low at the time of Christ's birth. The Messiah thus gave early notice that his kingdom was not of this world. But the Holy Spirit, in all his gifts and graces, shall rest and abide upon him; he shall have the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him, ( Colossians 1:19 , Colossians 2:9 ) . Many consider that seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are here mentioned. And the doctrine of the influences of the Holy Spirit is here clearly taught. The Messiah would be just and righteous in all his government. His threatening shall be executed by the working of his Spirit according to his word. There shall be great peace and quiet under his government. The gospel changes the nature, and makes those who trampled on the meek of the earth, meek like them, and kind to them. But it shall be more fully shown in the latter days. Also Christ, the great Shepherd, shall take care of his flock, that the nature of troubles, and of death itself, shall be so changed, that they shall not do any real hurt. God's people shall be delivered, not only from evil, but from the fear of it. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The better we know the God of love, the more shall we be changed into the same likeness, and the better disposed to all who have any likeness to him. This knowledge shall extend as the sea, so far shall it spread. And this blessed power there have been witnesses in every age of Christianity, though its most glorious time, here foretold, is not yet arrived. Meanwhile let us aim that our example and endeavours may help to promote the honour of Christ and his kingdom of peace.

Verses 10-16 When the gospel should be publicly preached, the Gentiles would seek Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and find rest of soul. When God's time is come for the deliverance of his people, mountains of opposition shall become plains before him. God can soon turn gloomy days into glorious ones. And while we expect the Lord to gather his ancient people, and bring them home to his church, also to bring in the fulness of the Gentiles, when all will be united in holy love, let us tread the highway of holiness he has made for his redeemed. Let us wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, looking to him to prepare our way through death, that river which separates this world from the eternal world.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 11

This chapter is a prophecy of the Messiah, and gives an account of his descent, as man; of his qualifications for his office, as a Judge and King; of his performance of it; of the peaceableness of his kingdom; of the spread of it among the Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel; and of the last and general conversion of the Jews. His original and descent from David the son of Jesse, under the titles of a rod and branch, is described as mean and obscure, expressed by stem and roots, Isa 11:1 his gifts and qualifications for his work, in general and particular, Isa 11:2 the performance of it, both with respect to good men and bad men, in the fear of the Lord, with all equity, righteousness, and readiness, Isa 11:3-5 the peaceableness of his kingdom is figuratively expressed, by the agreement of savage and tame creatures, the former becoming the latter, and so losing their malignant and hurtful nature, through the efficacy of the Gospel, spreading the knowledge of Christ all over the world, Isa 11:6-9 particularly among the Gentiles, comparable to those savage creatures, who, upon the exhibition of Christ in the Gospel; should seek to him, and find rest in him, Isa 11:10 which will be followed or accompanied with a collection of the Jews out of all lands, and the conversion of them, which will be brought about by the power and grace of God, all impediments being by him removed out of the way; the consequences of which will be, peace among themselves, and obedience among the Gentiles, Isa 11:11-16.