Isaiah 11 - 16
Isaiah’s Prophecies
Before we move onto chapter 11, I would like to go back to Isa. 9:6 and comment on how Jesus can be called “Everlasting Father.” The term “father” can be used in many ways. It can mean the male parent of a child, a catholic religious leader, a person who first began something, such as George Washington is the father our country (U.S.A.) or the father of country music. A father figure is someone who has taken on the role that a father usually has, such as mentoring, caring for and protecting someone else. A father can be someone who begins a work, such as the church (Matt. 16:18) or the head of the church family (Col. 1:18).
So, in what way is Jesus the “Father of Eternity”? Just as a father gives us biological life, protection, food, clothing, housing, toys, education, etc. Jesus has given us the gift of eternal life, redemption, forgiveness, peace, hope, reconciliation, etc.
Now we can move onto Chapter 11, where we have a prophecy of the coming Messiah.
If you grew up in a city, you probably find it a bit difficult to grasp some of the analogies found in the Bible. Jesus spoke of sowing seeds, told stories about wolves, sheep and shepherds who protect them. Jesus spoke of making his disciples fishers of men.
Isaiah uses a tree stump, shoots and a branch which bears fruit in his next illustration. If you’ve ever cut down an unwanted tree, you might have thought that you “got it all and it will never return. After some months have passed however, you find that it is still alive and it resprouts a skinny shoot that grows into a branch which matures to produce fruit. Just because there is no tree above the ground doesn’t mean that the tree is dead. I once saw a statuette which showed tulip coming up out of the ground with the caption that said, “Just because it’s buried doesn’t mean that it’s dead.” That’s a comforting thought for someone who has lost a loved one.
So, let’s look at Chapter 11. Verse 1, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
This passage is speaking of Jesus. John 3:34, “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” “Without limit” suggests that Jesus got the full dose.
Once Isaiah writes about the attributes of the Messiah, he moves on to what the Messiah will do with them. Isaiah is looking far ahead in time (In that day). The current news from Judah was very gloomy. The near future of Judah wasn’t looking very bright either. Isaiah is telling them that despite the troubles they have been experiencing and will experience for some time, they should be encouraged about their long-term future prospects. God’s people will not be destroyed, like empire before and after them have been and will be. The Jews will survive and even thrive long after man-made empires have come and gone.
Isaiah is telling the Jews that a descendant of Jesse (father of King David) will usher in a time of justice and peace. Of course, he is referring to the Millennial reign after the second coming of Jesus. Verse 6, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together and a little child will lead them.”
Isaiah goes on to say, verse 10, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples.” A banner is like a flag that is used to identify a location. In the military, a banner might be used to identify the location of headquarters. Businesses use banners to attract the attention of customers. In this passage, the banner is a rallying point for the scattered Jews to return to Israel from “the four quarters of the earth” (verse 12).
The passage goes on to say that all the rivalries and jealousies that were seen between the different tribes of Israel will disappear (verse 13). These tribes will be united and attack their enemies, the Philistines, Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites (verse 14).
The purpose of giving the Israelites these distant prophecies of the Kingdom of God is like that of the Book of Revelation. Jesus said that he would “build his church, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Matt. 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” These were encouraging words for his disciples. Yet for the next sixty years the church suffered persecution and all, all the disciples except for John were martyred and he was in prison. During these years no one had heard a word from Jesus. The church felt at risk of destruction and abandoned by Jesus. The church needed a message of encouragement. This is why the Book of Revelation was revealed to John. It was the fifth Gospel, giving the troubled church the good news that Jesus is coming again, that there will be peace and prosperity. Satan would be bound and the curse that was placed on the world in the Garden of Eden, would be removed. The people of Judah needed the same type of message.
Chapter twelve consists of the words to a song of praise to God for what he had done. But many nations do the same thing. The words to the U.S. national anthem were written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 after seeing British ships attacking Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland during the War of 1812. The words were set to music, and the song was officially adopted as our national anthem in 1931.
The chapter begins with “In that day” which suggests a leap in time to the distant future. Verse 1, “In that day you will say” “I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.” The “I” in this sentence is nation of Israel.
In Chapter thirteen Isaiah shifts his focus from Judah to Babylon. God is described as mustering his troops for war (verse 4) for the “day of the Lord is near.” The term “day of the Lord” refers to a time when God steps into history. There have been many “days of the Lord” and there will be a mighty, massive, final DAY of the Lord in the end times (Rev. 16:14). Though the Babylonian empire is going to take many from Judah into captivity, the Babylonians will experience their own “day of the Lord” when they will be conquered by another kingdom, the Persian Empire. Verse 9, “See, the day of the Lord is coming-a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger.” Isaiah goes on to describe the sun being darkened (verse 10), men will be scarcer than pure gold (verse 12). When there is a major war, with a massive mobilization of men for military service, there will be few able-bodied men at home to do the heavy labor. Verse 13, the earth will shake in its place. This probably describes the thunder of a massive army on horseback. What might be causing this manpower shortage and earth shaking? Verse 17, “I will stir up against them the Medes.” The Medes were from northwestern Iraq, and they will join with the Persians to form the Medo-Persian Empire which will attack and defeat the Babylonians.
Verse 19 tells of the target of God’s wrath. “Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians’ pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.” About this time, if I were living in Babylon, I would be making sure my passport was up to date, and my bug out bag was ready. Many of us had these bags when we were in the military. It was officially known as a Personal Emergency Relocation Kit or (PERK). It contained everything you needed to survive for a few days. Some civilians have a similar bag for use in a natural disaster.
Verse 20, “She (Babylon) will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations.” It sounds like the destruction will be both complete and permanent. Today, the city of Babylon can be found about 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq. It was destroyed in 478 B.C, by the Persians and then by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.
Sadaam Hussein, President of Iraq from 1979-2003, tried to rebuild it, but that effort ended with his regime. Some scholars say that the Babylon mentioned here refers to a future city that will fall at the end of the Tribulation. Perhaps they are both right.
Hussein’s palace overlooking the ruins of Babylon
Isaiah shifts his attention back to Jacob or Israel. Chapter 14, Isaiah shifts his attention back to Jacob or Israel. Verse 1 “The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob.” Verse 7, “All the lands are at rest and at peace.”
In verses 12-15, some commentaries say that Isaiah interrupted his prophecies and focused on the one who will be the driving force behind the king of Babylon (Satan).
Verses 12-15, “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn. You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascent to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthrones on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.””
Satan wanted to usurp God’s authority, take control of the angels (he did control 1/3 of them), rule over Israel and take possession of the world.
Other scholars argue that the context of the passage is speaking of the King of Babylon. He was, like many emperors, was like Satan in that he was arrogant, rose to great heights, was treated as a god, and then was defeated by a greater power.
Scholars also argue that these passages can’t refer to Satan since they describe the death and disposal of the king’s body. The fall of the King of Babylon was so complete that he wasn’t even afforded a proper royal burial. Verse 19, “But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain.” His body was dumped into a mass grave. “Like a corpse trampled underfoot, you will not join them (your royal predecessors) in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people.” That cannot be referring to Satan.
The future doesn’t look very bright for the king of Babylon. Nor does it look bright for other nations who have attacked Israel or Judah. Isaiah has this to say about the Assyrians. Verse 25, “I will crush the Assyrian in my land. . . His yoke will be taken from my people.” God promised that he will crush him on the soil of Israel. This prophecy would be fulfilled in Isaiah 36-37. Isaiah then gave a prophecy to the Philistines. Verse 29, “Do not rejoice, all you Philistines that the rod that struck you is broken.” They shouldn’t rejoice that the nations that have attacked them have fallen. Why? Because God will destroy the Philistines by famine (verse 30). One source tells us that by the late fifth century BC, the Philistines “no longer appear as a distinct group.” They disappeared from history, just as it says in verse 31, “Melt away, all you Philistines.”
What about the Moabites who lived east of the Dead Sea in what is today central Jordan? They too were another long-time enemy of Israel. Chapter 15 tells us that their cities will be ruined. Many residents are described as having their heads shaved and beards cut as signs of mourning (verse 2). Verse 7, “the wealth they have acquired and stored up they carry away.” Chapter 16, verse 7, “Therefore the Moabites wail, they wail together for Moab, lament and grieve. . .”
Who were the Moabites and why were they so punished? They were the descendants of Lot. You might recall that when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Lot survived. One night he got drunk, and his two daughters seduced him, believing that they were the only people left alive. They gave birth to sons named Moab and Ben-Ammi, who became the Ammonites.
The Moabites oppressed Israel for 18 years during the time of the Judges (Judges 3:12–31). There was a war between the two nations described in 2 Kings 3. Ruth and Naomi’s story took place in Moab and Psalms 60:8 refers to Moab as an enemy of Israel. One of the cities listed for destruction was Nebo (verse 2). It was on Mount Nebo that Moses died.
Moab, unlike other groups, was given the chance to submit to the Israelites and live, but they rejected this offer. We see this in Chapter 16. Verse 1, “Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land. . .” Verse 4, “the destruction will end; the aggressor will vanish from the land.” In other words, submit to us and live and the Assyrians will be stopped.
But the arrogance of Moab led them to reject this offer (verse 6). Verse 14 tells us what happened to the Moabites. “Within three years. . . Moab’s splendor (they were known for their vineyards), and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeble.” Only three to four years after Judah’s fall, the Babylonians conquered Moab. Unlike the Jews, the Moabites largely disappeared from history. The expression “largely disappeared from history” can describe many peoples over the centuries, but one group that has managed to survive are the Jews.
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Why Study the Bible?
Don’t many consider the Bible to be just a book of myths? Why do we read the Bible rather than the sacred literature of other religions?
How do we know that it is from God? How do we know that what we have today is an accurate translation from the original? Is the Bible complete or have there been some books that have been lost?
We should be able to answer these questions, and there are answers! So start here!
Answers to Common Bible Questions
Lent is a six week period of spiritual devotion starting on Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter. Those who observe Lent usually give up something for Lent. Some might give up coffee, or soda pop, or alcohol, or chocolate. May I suggest that you give up something that will really impress God and make this season of Lent one of the most memorable and meaningful seasons of your life? May I suggest that if you are giving up something, why not give up some of the acts of our sinful nature mentioned in Gal. 5:19? Why don’t we give up lying about others? Do you think you can give up the hate you feel towards others? How about envy, can we work on putting envy aside this year? How about giving up on the naïve idea that all pastors are mature Christian leaders whose word should always be accepted, rather than wolfs in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). How about giving up the idea that everyone in church is a real Christian (Matt 7:21-23). How about giving up your desire to seek revenge on those who have hurt you (Matt 18:21-22)? If you are insecure and feel threatened when you see the success of others in ministry, how about giving up efforts to hinder others who have been called to minister (Rom 12:4-8)? Of course it is easier to give up something like chocolate, etc. and make yourself feel like you are doing something that is pleasing to God. If you are not willing to give up unchristian behavior, might I suggest something that will really please God this Lent? Give up all evidence of your profession of Christian faith, such as books, pictures and jewelry. Don’t talk about God, Jesus or the Church. I think God would appreciate it if you would stop giving HIM a bad name by the way you live. Let’s give up what hinders our witness and become a better ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) this Lenten season.
In Matthew 2:1-2 is says that the magi saw "His star in the east." What was this star that guided these men to Jesus? Some have suggested that it could have been a comet, an asteroid, or perhaps a meteor or an especially bright star. The problem with these suggestions is that these physical things either quickly move across the sky and then disappear or are too far away to provide directions with any precision. It would be hard to get directions from such objects. The "star" had to move constantly or intermittently at the same pace as the magi. Then it says that it hovered over the house where Mary and Joseph had moved to with Jesus. It hardly sounds like a comet or meteor or a star as we know them. Can you think of another time that people in the Bible were guided by some form of light? How about the time when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt? He didn't have a global positioning system with him. He did have a pillar of fire that led him at night (Ex 13:21-22). We see this light in Solomon's Temple (2 Chron 7:1-3) and when the Jews were about to go into Babylonian captivity, we see it leaving the Temple (Ezek 9-11). In the New Testament we see it at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9) at His transfiguration (Matt 17:5) and His ascension (Acts 1:9). What exactly was this guiding light? The word "star" can also be translated as "radiance." It appears that it was this "radiance" that guided Moses and the magi. The Jews call this the "Shekinah", a physical manifestation of the glory of God in the form of a supernatural radiance. This, I believe, is what the Star of Bethlehem was.
Imagine that you are the pastor of a church. A young married couple is having some difficulties in their relationship and they seek counsel from you. On Monday the wife comes in to give her assessment of their marriage. What do you think she will say? She might say that she is a hardworking, caring and supportive wife and that it is her husband who is the neglectful, insensitive brute and the source of all problems in the marriage. You feel so sorry for this wife and when you see her husband in the hallway, you think to yourself, "What a jerk." On Friday the husband comes in and gives his assessment of the marriage. He tells you that he is hard working and very generous and that she is the major problem in the relationship. As the pastor, you are wondering if they both are talking about the same marriage. Each person tells you what makes them look best and their spouse the worst. Where is the truth? The truth is probably somewhere in between Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to present his case seems right, til another comes forward and questions him." There are conflicts in all relationships, between spouses, parents and children, employees and employers. When you hear one side of a story, don’t assume that what you hear is the complete truth. And don’t pass on to someone else what you have heard. Probably, at least some of what you heard is untrue to gain your support in a conflict.