Isaías 11

1 Y saldrá una vara del tronco de Jessé, y un renuevo retoñará de sus raíces

2 Y reposará sobre él el Espíritu del SEÑOR, Espíritu de sabiduría y de inteligencia, Espíritu de consejo, y de fortaleza, Espíritu de conocimiento y de temor del SEÑOR

3 y le hará oler en el temor del SEÑOR. No juzgará según la vista de sus ojos; ni argüirá por lo que oyeren sus oídos

4 Sino que juzgará con justicia a los pobres, y argüirá con equidad por los mansos de la tierra; y herirá la tierra con la vara de su boca, y con el espíritu de sus labios matará al impío

5 Y será la justicia cinto de sus lomos, y la fe cinto de sus riñones

6 Morará el lobo con el cordero, y el tigre con el cabrito se acostará; el becerro y el león y la bestia doméstica andarán juntos, y un niño los pastoreará

7 La vaca y la osa pacerán, sus crías se echarán juntas; y el león como el buey comerá paja

8 Y el niño jugará sobre la cueva del áspid; y el recién destetado extenderá su mano sobre la caverna del basilisco

9 No harán mal, ni dañarán en todo mi santo Monte; porque la tierra será llena del conocimiento del SEÑOR, como las aguas cubren el mar

10 Y acontecerá en aquel tiempo, que la Raíz de Jessé, la cual estará puesta por bandera como ejemplo a los gentiles, será buscada de los gentiles; y su Reino de paz será glorioso

11 Y acontecerá en aquel tiempo, que el SEÑOR tornará a poner otra vez su mano, para poseer el remanente de su pueblo que fue dejado de Assur, de Egipto, de Patros, de Etiopía, de Elam, de Caldea, de Hamat, y de las islas del mar

12 Y levantará bandera como ejemplo a los gentiles, y juntará los desterrados de Israel, y reunirá los esparcidos de Judá de los cuatro cantones de la tierra

13 Y se disipará la envidia de Efraín, y los enemigos de Judá serán talados. Efraín no tendrá envidia contra Judá, ni Judá afligirá a Efraín

14 mas volarán sobre los hombros de los filisteos al occidente; saquearán a los de oriente; Edom y Moab les servirán, y los hijos de Amón les darán obediencia

15 Y secará el SEÑOR la lengua del mar de Egipto; y levantará su mano con fortaleza de su espíritu sobre el Río, y lo herirá en siete riberas, y hará que pasen por él con zapatos

16 Y habrá camino para el remanente de su pueblo, lo que quedó de Assur, de la manera que lo hubo para Israel el día que subió de la tierra de Egipto

Isaías 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.