Roots and Fruits
Opening Prayer
Gracious Lord, I want to want Your leadership in my life above all riches, power, and earthly approval.
Read Isaiah 11:1-16
[1]
Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“The world belongs to those who give it the greatest hope” (Teilhard De Chardin, 1881-1955). Who better to offer such hope but a Christian!
Think Further
The prophet turns from condemnation to consolation, seeing a future beyond the present darkness. A righteous ruler, a renewed society and a restored creation are described in superlatives and metaphors. Fruit and branch will again spring from the roots of a cut-off stump. Isaiah looks beyond the imminent Assyrian defeat and the exile in sixth-century Babylon to the future glorious reign of God over all creation, to be inaugurated by a restored Davidic king. Israel will be re-gathered from exile among the nations, and her former enemies, Egypt and Assyria, will acknowledge God’s universal sovereignty. The northern kingdom, Israel, will even get along with the south, Judah (13)!
The hallmark of this rule is justice, grounded in fair treatment of the poor and oppressed, and administered with the wisdom of right decisions. When such social righteousness is re-established, even the animal kingdom will follow (6-9). The environment will mirror God’s purposes of peace, mercy and right relationships.
Such language, echoing Isaiah 2 and 6, is a prophetic vision rich in symbol and future hope, speaking to those longing for justice and rescue in the present realities of doom and gloom. How do we relate to such an idealistic picture? Like those who heard Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech, we are called to make this vision a reality today. The personal and communal aspects of redemption cannot be separated. We cannot avoid involvement in the political and social issues of our day. God is pleased with good government and social justice as well as with inward piety and spiritual renewal. The cut-down stump of David’s line will blossom afresh, but the restoration of Israel (Rom. 11:12,23-32) has yet to be achieved on a national and international scale. We should seek peace and pursue it, proclaiming the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Apply
What will you do next year to bring Isaiah’s vision to a reality? Make a list now.
Closing prayer
Father, may the Spirit of the Lord rest upon me. May the Spirit give me wisdom and understanding, counsel and power, knowledge and the fear of the Lord (2).
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