God’s Renewing Word of Thankfulness and Praise
Introduction
Isaiah 11:1-16: Today’s reading is a prophecy of hope for the Israelites who have been oppressed by the Assyrians. (The Assyrian oppression and attack are described in Isaiah 10). The prophecy is in the form of an oracle about a new king who will arise and who will be a descendant of David. This king’s reign will usher in a time of peace and the restoration of Israel and Judah, and those who had been living in exile will return home.
Scripture Reading
The Peaceful Kingdom
11 The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David’s descendants.
2 The spirit of the Lord will give him wisdom
and the knowledge and skill to rule his people.
He will know the Lord’s will and honor him,
3 and find pleasure in obeying him.
He will not judge by appearance or hearsay;
4 he will judge the poor fairly
and defend the rights of the helpless.
At his command the people will be punished,
and evil persons will die.
5 He will rule his people with justice and integrity.
6 Wolves and sheep will live together in peace,
and leopards will lie down with young goats.
Calves and lion cubs will feed together,
and little children will take care of them.
7 Cows and bears will eat together,
and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace.
Lions will eat straw as cattle do.
8 Even a baby will not be harmed
if it plays near a poisonous snake.
9 On Zion, God’s sacred hill,
there will be nothing harmful or evil.
The land will be as full of knowledge of the Lord
as the seas are full of water.
The Exiled People Will Return
10 A day is coming when the new king from the royal line of David will be a symbol to the nations. They will gather in his royal city and give him honor. 11 When that day comes, the Lord will once again use his power and bring back home those of his people who are left in Assyria and Egypt, in the lands of Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, and Hamath, and in the coastlands and on the islands of the sea. 12 The Lord will raise a signal flag to show the nations that he is gathering together again the scattered people of Israel and Judah and bringing them back from the four corners of the earth. 13 The kingdom of Israel will not be jealous of Judah any more, and Judah will not be the enemy of Israel. 14 Together they will attack the Philistines on the west and plunder the people who live to the east. They will conquer the people of Edom and Moab, and the people of Ammon will obey them. 15 The Lord will dry up the Gulf of Suez, and he will bring a hot wind to dry up the Euphrates, leaving only seven tiny streams, so that anyone can walk across. 16 There will be a highway out of Assyria for those of his people Israel who have survived there, just as there was for their ancestors when they left Egypt.
TODAY’S KEY VERSE: ISAIAH 11:2, 3A
The spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the LORD’s will and honor him, and find pleasure in obeying him.
Reflect
The chapter opens with an oracle concerning a king who will be a descendant of David. Christians interpret this passage as referring to Jesus, the Messiah (see Luke 1:32). How is this king described (verses 2-5)? How is his kingdom described (verses 6-9)? How do you envision a world in which peace reigns?
Pray
God of love and peace, teach me to know your will. My desire is to honor and obey you. May your justice reign throughout the earth. Your kingdom come, O Lord! Amen.
And now, join us in thanking God for the new Seeker’s Edition of the Bible launched in China. Almighty God, three new cover designs have been launched in China for the Seeker’s Edition of the Chinese Union Version Bible, with the aim of capturing the hearts of people seeking Christ in China’s urban areas. The covers contain a mix of Chinese cultural symbols, vibrant colors, and strong Chinese elements that are designed to appeal to modern Chinese believers. We thank and praise you, Lord God, for this new initiative, and for the generosity of donors who are helping to make the Seeker’s Edition of the Bible available at an affordable cost. May all who receive this Bible encounter you in your Word. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Isaiah 12:1-6: A time of singing and praise is envisioned.