Isa_11:1-2
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
What About Today’s Verse…
Already, we have seen our God of promises guaranteeing to call out a people for Himself, to deliver His people from bondage, to fight for His people, and to give them an everlasting kingdom. Now, God promises an anointed king for His people.
This anointed king was promised through David’s family. “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse.” Jesse was a son of Obed and the father of David. “Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David” (Ruth 4:22). This king is here given a Messianic title, Branch. “A Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Other prophets had made similar prophetic promises concerning this royal Branch. “Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth’… I am bringing forth My Servant the Branch… Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch!” (Jer_23:5 and Zec_3:8; Zec_6:12).
This king (“the Branch”) would serve by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him.” The Spirit of God would not merely come upon Him at times (as with King Saul): “Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them” (1Sa_10:10). The Spirit would continually be upon Him for ministry: “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him.” Of course, this king, the Branch, would be Jesus Christ. Jesus applied a similar Messianic passage to Himself. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me” (Luk_4:18). Yes, Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the anointed King. In fact, Christ is the Greek term for “anointed One.” Whereas, Messiah is the Hebrew term for the same.
Godly wisdom, heavenly understanding, perfect counsel, divine might, complete knowledge, and holy reverence for the Father would characterize the Messiah’s ministry. All of this was produced by the work of the Holy Spirit upon Him: “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”
Let us Pray:
Jesus, my anointed King, all that You demonstrated in Your days upon this earth is the very needs that I have in my daily life. By Your promises, through the work of Your Spirit, please supply these realities in my walk, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
God Is With Us
Good old Jacob could no more be with Joseph, for his hour had come to die: but he left his son without anxiety, for he said with confidence, “God shall be with you.” When our dearest relations or our most helpful friends are called home by death, we must console ourselves with the reflection that the Lord is not departed from us but lives for us and abides with us forever.
If God be with us, we are in ennobling company, even though we are poor and despised. If God be with us, we have all-sufficient strength, for nothing can be too hard for the Lord. If God be with us, we are always safe, for none can harm those who walk under His shadow. Oh, what a joy we have here! Not only is God with us, but He will be with us. With us as individuals; with us as families; with us as churches. Is not the very name of Jesus, Immanuel–God with us? Is not this the best of all that God is with us? Let us be bravely diligent and joyously hopeful. Our cause must prosper; the truth must win, for the Lord is with those who are with Him. All this day may every believer who turns to “faith’s check book” enjoy this sweet word. No greater happiness is possible.
God shall be with you. –Genesis 48:21
