Isaiah 11 explained: A New King and a Peaceful World

A shoot from a stump (vv. 1-2)

Jesse was the father of King David, so his royal family is pictured as a tree cut down to a stump that still sends up a new shoot: a king will rise from a line that looked finished. God's Spirit rests on him for good, giving him wisdom, sound judgment, strength and a deep respect for God.

A king who judges fairly (vv. 3-5)

Unlike ordinary rulers, he will not decide by appearances or rumor, and he will stand up for the poor and powerless. His word alone is enough to bring down the wicked, and fairness and faithfulness are as much a part of him as the belt he wears.

Predators at peace (vv. 6-9)

Animals that normally hunt each other lie down together, and small children play safely near deadly snakes. Readers differ on whether this means a literally renewed natural world or is a picture of all violence ending, but the text links this peace to the whole earth knowing the LORD.

A flag for the nations (v. 10)

The king from Jesse's family becomes like a flag raised high, a rallying point that draws other peoples to him. Christians read this as pointing to Jesus, and the apostle Paul quotes it when describing non-Jewish people coming to faith.

The scattered gathered home (vv. 11-12)

God will act a 'second time' to bring back the survivors of his people from every land where they were scattered, including Assyria, Egypt and Babylon. Interpreters differ on what the first time refers to, with some pointing to the escape from Egypt and others to a later return from exile.

United and led home (vv. 13-16)

The long bitter rivalry between Ephraim (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom) ends, and together they defeat their old neighboring enemies, described in the blunt warlike language of the time. God dries up the waters and makes a highway home, which the text itself compares to Israel's journey out of Egypt.

Key verse: Isaiah 11:9

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the return of the exiles and the peace among animals will be fulfilled literally in a future restoration of Israel and a renewed creation, or are pictures fulfilled more spiritually through Jesus and the church.

Something to think about

Which seems harder for you to imagine: a leader who judges everyone with complete fairness, or a world where the strong no longer prey on the weak?