Isaías 11
H.A. Ironside · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 11
Ironside has an interesting comment on Isaiah 11 viewing it as closely associated with the destruction of the Assyrian in chapter 10 (Click to read Ironside's comments on Isaiah 10) There is a very close connection with that which now comes before us (Isaiah 11) and that which we have seen in the last chapter. After the Assyrian is destroyed and Israel will have been delivered from all her enemies, we have the peaceful reign of Him who is the Rod out of Jesse’s stem, the Branch of the Lord Who is to bring all things into subjection to God and rule with the iron rod of inflexible righteousness. (Isaiah 11 & 12 - When God's Anointed Takes Over) Comment: Ironside presents an interesting futuristic interpretation which does have some parallel with the events John describes in the Revelation. In Revelation 19 we see the description of the triumphant return of Messiah as King of kings to defeat the Antichrist (the Beast) (Rev 19:11-note, Rev 19:20-note, cp Zech 14:2, 3). This monumental event is immediately followed by the description of a period of 1000 years (See Millennium-events leading up to the millennium) when Satan is bound (Rev 20:2-note) and Messiah rules (Rev 20:4-note, cp Zech 14:4, 5, 6, 7, 8 especially Zech 14:9, 11). And thus just as the events of Isaiah 10 parallel the events of Revelation 19, so too the events of Isaiah 11 parallel Revelation 20. I present these thoughts for your consideration as good Bereans (Acts 17:11-note). MESSIAH THE BRANCH Branch (05342) (netser/neser) is a masculine noun which refers to the shoot of a tree (or other plant). Netser describes a bough shooting from the stem, or from another branch or bough. Netser implies "a plant of the same kind of the next generation" (Louw-Nida). In Da 11:7 netser clearly refers to a family line or descendent even as a shoot comes from a root of a tree or plant. In the present context Isaiah uses netser as a figure of speech to describe the Messiah Who descends from Jesse. Related Resource - Messianic Prophecies A different Hebrew word (semah - 06780) is used for the prophecy of the Messiah as the Branch of the LORD in Isaiah 4:2. Netser - 4x in the OT - Isa 11:1; 14:19; 60:21; Da 11:7. NAS = branch(3), descendants(1). The Branch - The Branch is an OT name of Christ. Several OT prophets pictured the Messiah as the Branch… Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. (Zec 3:8) “Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. (Zec 6:12). RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL RULES AND REIGN “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. (Jer 23:5). Comment: Christ is the Righteous One (Is 24:16, 53:11, Acts 3:14, 7:52, 22:14) and the essence of righteousness (1Cor 1:30) and it naturally (supernaturally) follows that His Millennial Kingdom will be a kingdom of righteousness for the Scriptures teach us that… Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Pr 14:34) Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah (and Jehovah = Jesus), the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. (Ps 33:12) Let all of God's people pray fervently in a time while He may still be found for a God glorifying, Word centered, Spirit empowered, Christ exalting revival of RIGHTEOUSNESS in America. Amen In those days (Jer 33:14 describes the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. (Jer 33:15). In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. (Isa 4:2). From his roots - His roots refers to Jesse, the stump which has roots beneath the surface. The KJV Bible Commentary comments that… The time of the Messiah’s coming was undoubtedly a great puzzle in Old Testament times. Isaiah’s prophecies in chapters 7–9 indicate that Immanuel, the virgin-born, divine Child is soon to appear. However, in this chapter we are given a clear indication that His coming will be in the yet distant future. (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary: Nelson) Tony Garland in his excellent online commentary on The Revelation writes that… Jesus was born in the line of David (Mt 1:1, 6, 17, 20; Lk 1:27, 32; 3:31; Ro 1:3; 2Ti 2:8; Rev 22:16), He is the “son of David” (Mt 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15; 22:42; etc.). Jesus is the “Rod from the stem of Jesse” (Isa 11:1), the “Root of Jesse” (Isa. 11:10), David’s father (Ru 4:22-note). Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. God made an unconditional covenant with David where He swore that his throne would be established like the sun and moon (Ps 89:33, 34, 35, 36, 37). At present, there is no “throne of David” upon the earth, but there will be when the Lion has completed His work (Rev 20:4, 5, 6-note) for the zeal of God will ensure it! For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa. 9:6, 7) [emphasis added] As a root springs anew from the stump of a tree which has been cut down and appears to be dead, so the line leading to Messiah was preserved throughout history. For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant (Job 14:7, 8, 9). This root was repeatedly chopped back, but never completely terminated as Satan attempted throughout history to thwart the Messianic line of promise. See commentary on Revelation 12:4-note. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ = in my opinion, the best literal interpretation of this great book) Will bear fruit - The Branch, Messiah, will not be a barren but a fruitful branch, which calls to mind Jesus' own words regarding fruitfulness… Abide (aorist imperative - Not a suggestion but a command to do this now) in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing (Greek word = not relative negation but absolutely nothing… ever ~ "Nada!"). (Jn 15:4, 5) Ryrie explains that… Though the tree of David is felled (Isa 6:13), a shoot or branch would grow up from the stump (the family of David; Jesse was David's father, 1Sa 17:12), in the person of Messiah. Max Forsythe (reformed perspective) skirts around the interpretation of Isaiah 11… Will Christ's kingdom be a kingdom of the Spirit, or a glorious kingdom in the midst of the world for a time and eternally in heaven after the end? No matter, how the kingdom is organized I suppose, the whole focus ought to be upon our King and God. Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.: Spirit: Isa 42:1 59:21 61:1 Nu 11:25,26 Mt 3:16 Jn 1:32,33 3:34 Ac 10:38 wisdom: Dt 34:9 Jn 14:17 15:26 16:13 1Co 1:30 Eph 1:17,18 Col 1:8,9 Col 2:2,3 2Ti 1:7 Jas 3:17,18 THE HOLY SPIRIT RESTING ON THE MESSIAH In these succeeding passages the Branch is now personalized as a Ruler ("Judge") which speaks of the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom at His Second Coming. The Spirit of the LORD - A clear OT reference to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Most observers see a "six fold" ("seven fold" if one includes "Spirit of the LORD") aspect to the Spirit resting on the Messiah - (1) Wisdom, (2) Understanding, (3) Counsel, (4) Strength, (5) Knowledge, and (6) Fear. Compare to the seven-fold aspect of the Holy Spirit in Revelation 1:4-note. Compare also Rev 4:5-note and Rev 5:6-note. Whether six fold or seven fold, these attributes would seem to indicate the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Related Resource: See the "Example of Jesus" - His dependence on the Spirit leaving us an example to follow (1 Cor 11:1-note).
Isaías 11
Ironside - Here we have the One who is presented in the Apocalypse (The Book of the Revelation) as having the seven spirits of God: that is, the Holy Spirit in the sevenfold plenitude of His power. Coming by virgin birth through David’s line He is the Branch out of the root of Jesse, the father of David. Upon Him rests “the Spirit of Jehovah,” one; the Spirit of wisdom, two; and of understanding, three; the Spirit of counsel, four; and of might, five; the Spirit of knowledge, six; and of the fear of Jehovah, seven. The fear of Jehovah is the spirit of reverence. We are told in John that the Father giveth not the Spirit by measure to His beloved Son (Jn 3:34). From the moment of His birth the Lord Jesus was under the controlling power of the Holy Spirit, for as Man on earth, He chose not to act in His own omnipotence but as the Servant of the Godhead. After His baptism in the Jordan, the Spirit was seen descending upon Him as a dove. This was the anointing of which the Apostle Peter spoke, in preparation for His gracious public ministry. Never for one moment was He out of harmony with the Spirit. It was this that made it possible for Him to grow in wisdom as He grew in stature, and in favor with God and man. Confessedly, this mystery is great: that the Eternal Wisdom should have so limited Himself as Man in all perfection that He grew in wisdom and knowledge from childhood to physical maturity as under the tutelage of the Father, who by the Spirit revealed His will to Jesus from day to day, so that He could say, “I speak not Mine own words but the words of Him that sent Me.” And as to the works He wrought, He attributed them all to the Spirit of God Who dwelt in Him in all His fullness. (Isaiah 11 & 12 - When God's Anointed Takes Over) Isaiah 11:3 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear;: Delight: Isa 33:6 Pr 2:5,9 Lk 2:52) (Job 12:11 34:3 Php 1:9,10 Heb 5:14 shall not: 1Sa 16:7 2Sa 14:17 1Ki 3:9,28 Jn 7:24 8:15,16 1Co 2:13-15 1Co 4:3-5 He will delight in the fear of the LORD - Messiah finds His joy in living before God with a sense of reverence and awe. This difficult to comprehend phrase reads more literally , “and his smelling is in the fear of the Lord.” The NET Bible Note explains that… In Amos 5:21 the Hiphil of ruakh, “smell” carries the nuance of “smell with delight, get pleasure from.” There the Lord declares that He does not “smell with delight” (i.e., get pleasure from) Israel’s religious assemblies, which probably stand by metonymy for the incense offered during these festivals. In Isa 11:3 there is no sacrificial context to suggest such a use, but it is possible that “the fear of the Lord” is likened to incense. This coming King will get the same kind of delight from obeying (fearing) the Lord, as a deity does in the incense offered by worshipers. Some regard such an explanation as strained in this context, and prefer to omit this line from the text as a virtual dittograph of the preceding statement.
Isaías 11
Ironside comments… In that day the curse (Ge 3:17, 18, 19) will be lifted from the lower creation and the very nature of the beasts of the earth will be changed. Those who attempt to spiritualize all these expressions must needs take the beasts here to represent violent and savage men whose hearts will be changed by regeneration. But the prophet gives no hint of such an application of his words. He very definitely speaks of that which God will do for the animal kingdom in the day when the curse will be lifted. There is no hint that the prophet was speaking allegorically or that his language is to be interpreted other than in strict literality. It seems evident that when the Second Man, the Last Adam, is set over this lower universe, that ideal conditions will prevail on earth, such as characterized the world before sin came in to mar God’s fair creation with its sad entail of violence and rapine on the part of the beasts of the earth and the evil effects upon the bodies of men and women, resulting in sickness and death. All this will be undone in the day when Christ shall come as the Restorer of all things spoken by the prophets, and “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” While the millennium is not to be confounded with the new heavens and the new earth, it will nevertheless be a period of wonderful blessing for all who shall dwell in the world when in the administration of the fullness of the seasons, God shall head up all things in Christ (Isaiah 11 & 12 - When God's Anointed Takes Over) Matthew Henry completely (and unfortunately) allegorizes the text explaining that… Any one with physiological knowledge of the difference between the structure of herbivorous and carnivorous animals, or with any knowledge of dentistry, will at once see that the lion could no more eat straw like an ox than he could fly to the moon; even if his teeth were changed so that he could masticate the straw, it would prove fatal to him, since he could by no means digest or assimilate it. This is simply a figure of the peace that would come to humanity as a result of Christ's coming as a Saviour into the world. It is true now (Ed: It is not true now!). Isaiah 11:7 Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox.: LITERAL OR FIGURATIVE? Edward Hicks (1834) Click picture to enlarge Click here for numerous Old Testament descriptions of Messiah's future the Millennial Kingdom. Below is an example of misinterpretation by a reasonably good devotional commentator Matthew Henry because of his failure to interpret the Biblical text literally. Any one with physiological knowledge of the difference between the structure of herbivorous and carnivorous animals, or with any knowledge of dentistry, will at once see that the lion could no more eat straw like an ox than he could fly to the moon; even if his teeth were changed so that he could masticate the straw, it would prove fatal to him, since he could by no means digest or assimilate it. This is simply a figure of the peace that would come to humanity as a result of Christ's coming as a Saviour into the world. Comment: One cannot emphasize too strongly the need to be diligent to rightly divide the Word of truth (2Ti 2:15) by always seeking to read it literally unless the text and especially the context suggest the writer is clearly using figurative language. The context or setting of Isaiah 11 is clearly a supernatural scene and therefore is is not at all difficult to interpret verses 6-8 as literally true as a result of divine alteration of the lion's diet and digestive tract (not to mention God's ability to do likewise for the wolf, the leopard and the young lion of verse 6) Isaiah 11:8 The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den.: Viper's: Isa 59:5 Ps 140:3 Nursing child - Literally one sucking and thus so young that it is still being nursed by its mother. Such a child would be absolutely defenseless against the normally aggressive deadly cobra. However, so radical will be the regeneration of the earth when the Messiah returns that poisonous snakes pose no threat to humans. It is interesting to consider the first "serpent" in the Garden of Eden whose "bite" resulted in the death of all mankind (Ro 5:12). But God immediately provided an "antidote" (Genesis 3:15) which foreshadowed the healing blood of the Lamb of God which reversed sin's curse for all who received His gift by faith. In His future kingdom, the Reigning Lamb will reverse even the physical aspects of the curse on the Garden of Eden. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a future and a hope every believer possesses because of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God! Many commentaries interpret these great passages non-literally because they assume that such radical changes in the animal kingdom are not possible. Beloved, I would answer them with God's own words to Abraham in response to Sarah's skeptic laugh Is anything too difficult for the LORD? Answer? No. Jehovah reiterates His omnipotence to His prophet Jeremiah declaring… Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? (Jer 32:27-see commentary) Isaiah 11:9 They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.: hurt: Isa 11:13 2:4 35:9 60:18 Job 5:23 Mic 4:2-4 Mt 5:44,45 Ac 2:41-47 Ac 4:29-35 Ro 12:17-21 Ga 5:22-24 Php 2:14,15 1Th 5:15 Rev 21:27 for the: Isa 30:26 49:6 59:19 60:1-22 Ps 22:27-31 72:19 98:2,3 Hab 2:14 Zec 14:9 Ro 11:25,26 Rev 20:2-6) They will not hurt or destroy - A reference to the normally dangerous wild animals and reptiles of Isaiah 11:7,8. My holy mountain - Zion or Jerusalem (See notes on Isa 2:2) from which the Holy One of Israel rules the earth. My is a possessive pronoun. Jerusalem is God's possession, not man's. It will be in the future but is even so today! The Holy City has always belonged to the Holy One of Israel. Irving Jensen considers the city central to the entire book writing that… Isaiah is a book about “The Glorious Throne of Jehovah, the Holy One.” Jeremiah writes that… At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the Lord,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; nor will they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart. (Jer 3:17) The earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD - This glorious future day when all shall know about Jehovah. There will be no civil lawsuits by the ACLU to prohibit teaching of creationism in schools, of praying publicly or of displaying of God's holy name on buildings or coins, as we are experiencing in 21st century post-pagan America! This full knowledge of Jehovah is alluded to in a number of OT prophecies… (It is in a very real sense an answer to the psalmist's prayer) And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. (Ps 72:19) (In the context of God's promise to Israel and Judah of a New Covenant) “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jer 31:34-see commentary). (This promise was directed to Israel and Judah - Jer 31:31 - but is applicable to Gentiles, for all Gentiles who enter the Millennial Kingdom will have been born again into the New Covenant and all shall know Jehovah intimately). (Jehovah declares) but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. (Nu 14:21) The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Hab 2:14-note) And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is (This prophecy is so certain that it is spoken of in the present tense) full of His glory.” (Is 6:3-note) As the waters cover the sea - This vivid term of comparison ("as" or "like" identify it as a simile) should cause us to ask "how do the waters cover the sea?" Water pervades every crevice and cavern of the sea and so too shall the knowledge of Jehovah permeate the earth. Isaiah 11:10 Then in that day the nations will resort to the Root of Jesse, Who will stand as a Signal for the peoples and His resting place will be glorious.: in that day: Isa 11:1 2:11 Ro 15:12 Rev 22:16 Will: : Isa 59:19 Ge 49:10 Jn 3:14,15 12:32 Signal for the peoples: Isa 60:3,5 66:12,19 Mt 2:1,2 8:11 12:21 Lk 2:32 Jn 12:20,21 Ac 11:18 26:17,18 28:28 Ro 15:9-12 glorious: Heb. glory, Ps 149:5 Then - Always be alert to this expression of time so that enabled by prayerful dependence on your Teacher the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2:10-13), you can profitably observe and query this "time phrase," especially in prophetic writings, as it marks a sequence (Webster - Then - "following next after in order of position, narration, or enumeration : being next in a series.") Brenton's English of the Greek Septuagint (Lxx) renders Isaiah 11:10 as follows… And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, and He that shall arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust (hope), and His rest shall be glorious. Paul quotes from the Greek rather than the Hebrew in Romans 15:12… And again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE." In that day - What day? The day of universal peace when the Messiah returns to rule and reign over the regenerated earth during the Millennium. See Related Topic - Day of the Lord. Compare Isaiah's other uses of the time phrase in that day - Isaiah 2:11, 17, 20; 3:18; 4:1, 2; 5:30; 7:18, 20f, 23; 10:20, 27; 11:10; 12:4; 17:4, 7, 9; 19:16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24; 20:6; 22:8, 12, 20, 25; 23:15; 24:21; 25:9; 26:1; 27:1, 2, 12, 13; 28:5; 31:7; 52:6; Jer 4:9; 48:41; 49:22, 26; 50:30 The nations (01471)(goy) - The Gentiles, synonymous with the peoples. Isaiah has numerous prophecies that deal with the nations and peoples (Gentiles) - Isaiah 2:2, 3, 4, 12:4, 42:1, 6, 49:6; 52:10; 60:3; 66:18. Jamieson on signal says that Messiah will permanently and prominently, as a banner lifted up to be the rallying point of an army or people (Is 5:26; Jn 12:32). Will resort (KJV = seek) (01875) (darash) means to seek with care, to inquire, to care about, to study, to investigate, to examine, to ask. Paul translates this Hebrew verb darash in Isa 11:10 with the Greek verb elpizo (word study), which conveys the primary meaning of to hope, which conveys the idea of that in which one hopes as being so certain as to surely come to pass! (Does this not call for an "Amen"?) The idea is to look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial. Elpizo means to express desire for some good with the expectation of obtaining it (cp Titus 2:13-note). Thus the KJV renders Ro 15:12KJV with the word "trust." The Root of Jesse - This is another name for the Messiah, the Shoot and the Branch of Isaiah 11:1. Messiah pictured as Root indicates that Jesse sprang from Him. John gives us a similar picture of Messiah in the Revelation… One of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion (Messiah) that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” (Rev 5:5-note) I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (Rev 22:16-note) Mal Couch writes that… As the ‘root’ of David, He existed before David, that is, He is eternal. And as the ‘offspring’ or descendant of David, He is the rightful Heir to the throne of David, and the One who will fulfill the covenanted blessings promised to David.” (Mal Couch, ed., A Bible Handbook to Revelation Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2001) JESUS CHRIST KING OF KINGS Dr John Walvoord explains that Jesus Christ will be the King of kings in His millennial kingdom… In Psalm 2:6, in spite of the opposition of the kings of the earth, God declares His purpose: “Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” This purpose will be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom in the reign of Jesus Christ as the Son of David. As Lewis Sperry Chafer has succinctly stated: “Every Old Testament prophecy on the kingdom anticipates His kingly office: (a) Christ will yet sit on the throne as David’s heir (2Sa 7:16; Ps 89:20-37; Isa 11:1-16; Jer 33:19, 20, 21). (b) He came as a King (Luke 1:32, 33). (c) He was rejected as a King (Mark 15:12-13; Luke 19:14; cf. Ge 37:8; Ex 2:14). (d) He died as a King (Mt 27:37). (e) When He comes again, it is as a King (Rev 19:16; cf. Luke 1:32, 33)” (Chafer, Systematic Theology, VII, 233). Walvoord explains that Jesus Christ will be the King of kings in His millennial kingdom… In Psalm 2:6, in spite of the opposition of the kings of the earth, God declares His purpose: “Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” This purpose will be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom in the reign of Jesus Christ as the Son of David. As Lewis Sperry Chafer has succinctly stated: “Every Old Testament prophecy on the kingdom anticipates His kingly office: (a) Christ will yet sit on the throne as David’s heir (2Sa 7:16; Ps 89:20-37; Isa 11:1-16; Jer 33:19, 20, 21). (b) He came as a King (Luke 1:32, 33). (c) He was rejected as a King (Mark 15:12-13; Luke 19:14; cf. Ge 37:8; Ex 2:14). (d) He died as a King (Mt 27:37). (e) When He comes again, it is as a King (Rev 19:16; cf. Luke 1:32, 33)” (Chafer, Systematic Theology, VII, 233). The fact that Christ will reign over the earth is of course imbedded in practically every prophecy concerning the millennial kingdom. The absolute character of His reign is indicated in Isaiah 11:3-5. This central prophecy is confirmed by the angel to Mary in announcing the coming birth of Christ in these words: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Lk 1:32, 33). It should be clear from the details surrounding these predictions that these prophecies are not being fulfilled in the present age, nor are they a description of the sovereignty of God in the heavenly sphere. Many other Scriptures can be cited to substantiate the reign of Christ as King in the millennium of which the following are representative: Isaiah 2:1-4-note; Isa 9:6, 7-note; 11:1-10 ; 16:5 ; 24:23 ; 32:2 ; 40:1-11 ; 42:3, 4 ; 52:7-15 ; 55:4 ; Da 2:44-note; Da 7:27-note; Mic 4:1-8; 5:2-5 ; Zech 9:9; 14:16, 17 . These passages if interpreted in the ordinary literal meaning lead to the conclusion that Christ is the King who will reign over the earth in the millennial period. (The Righteous Government of the Millennium) Jamieson adds that Messiah is “Not merely ‘a sucker come up from David’s ancient root’ (as Alford limits it), but also including the idea of His being Himself the root and origin of David: compare these two truths brought together, Mt 22:42, 43, 44, 45. Hence He is called not merely Son of David, but also David. He is at once ‘the branch’ of David, and ‘the root’ of David." (Comments on the Revelation) Who will stand as a signal for the peoples (Gentiles) - While the Messiah's coming kingdom will fulfill His promises to Abraham (Ge 15:18, 19, 20, 21 17:7, 8; 22:17, 18), to David (2Sa 7:16) and to Israel as a nation (Jer 31:31, 32, 33, 34), His kingdom will also be a kingdom for Gentile believers and the Messiah Himself will serve as the banner or rallying point for all the nations. Zechariah alluded to this same truth in chapter 14… And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one… Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem (Referring to those Gentiles who had placed their faith in the Messiah) will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. (Zec 14:9, 16) Isaiah 11:10, 12 are in essence a fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham… And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Ge 12:3). Comment: Clearly all the families refers to both Jew and Gentile families. Luke records a parallel description of Jesus serving as a signal for the peoples (Jesus speaking) And they (an allusion to Gentile believers) will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. (Lk 13:29-note). Signal (05251) (nec/nes) means a banner, an ensign, a standard, a signal pole (wood pole which was visible when raised - Nu 21:8), a signal (non-verbal communication - Nu 26:10, Jer 4:6), a sail (for a boat - Isa 33:23). Nec/nes served as a rallying point or standard which drew people together for some common action for or for the communication of important information. The banner could be an ornamental piece of cloth on the end of a staff or pole as a leader’s signal. Usually the signal was placed on a high place in the camp. Here the signal pole stands for (is a metaphor if you will) the Messiah Who was raised (pun intended) to give hope to the Gentiles. Hallelujah! AMen Nec/nes - 21v in the OT - Ex 17:15; Nu 21:8, 9; 26:10; Ps 60:4; Isa 5:26; 11:10, 12; 13:2; 18:3; 30:17; 31:9; 33:23; 49:22; 62:10; Jer 4:6, 21; 50:2; 51:12, 27; Ezek 27:7. NAS = banner(2), distinguishing mark(1), sail(1), signal(4), standard(12), warning(1). In the wilderness, Moses lifted up bronze serpent on pole (nec) (Nu 21:8,9) which was a "signal" to the Israelites who had been bitten by the serpents that they might obtain healing and life, this signal serving as a shadow or type (See Study of Biblical types) of the lifting up (crucifixion) of the Messiah and the healing He provided from the deadly "bite" of sin (cp Jn 3:14, 15). Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live." And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. There are several related uses of nec/nes in Isaiah… Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and set up My standard to the peoples; And they will bring your sons in their bosom, And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. (Isa 49:22) Comment: God would raise His hand and His banner, the Messiah, to summon the Gentiles to usher Israelites back into their homeland (cp Isa 5:26; 11:10, 12; 13:2; 30:17; 62:10). Go through, go through the gates. Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway (cp Isaiah 7:3; 11:16; 19:23; 33:8; 35:8; 36:2; 49:11; 59:7); Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples (Gentiles). (Isa 62:10) Comment: God was calling His people Israel to prepare for the return of the Redeemer to the land of Israel. They were to raise the banner to announce to the Gentile nations that the Lord was coming to Jerusalem. JEHOVAH NISSI — THE LORD IS OUR "SIGNAL" In Exodus after Israel defeated the Amalekites at Rephidim (resting place) Moses recorded the first use of nec/nes in Scripture… Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this in a book as a memorial, and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." 15 And Moses built an altar, and named it The LORD is My Banner; 16 and he said, "The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation." (Ex 17:14, 15, 16-note) Moses named the altar Jehovah Nissi -The LORD Our Banner to commemorate Israel's defeat of the Amalekites. Moses also reminded Israel that the LORD would be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation, which many commentators parallel with the concept of spiritual warfare which is lifelong lot for every believer (For more discussion see notes on Exodus 17:8-16). When the Israelites fought the Amalekites at Rephidim, Moses held up his hand, thus becoming in a sense a living banner symbolizing God’s presence to help His people win the victory (Ex 17:8-16). After the battle, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah Nissi -The LORD Our Banner (Ex17:15, KJV; The Lord Is My Banner). Beloved, the Lord is also our Banner Who goes out in front of us as we march forth before in battle (cp spiritual warfare). While we have a responsibility to march forward and fight the good fight of faith for the glory of Jehovah, we must do so remembering that the battle is the Lord's! (1Sa 17:47, 2Chr 20:15, 16, 17, Ps 46:11) Resting place (04496)(menuchah) means resting place or a place to repose when tired (Ge 49:15; Nu 10:33; Dt 12:9; 1Ch 28:2ESV; Ps 132:8, 14; Isa 11:10; 28:12; 32:18; Mic 2:10). Menuhah also conveys the idea of rest in the sense of freedom from activity or labor, being at peace in mind and spirit, or exhibiting relative inactivity (Ru 1:9; 2Sa 14:17; 1Ki 8:56; 1Ch 22:9; Ps 95:11; Jer 45:3) Menuchah - 23v in the OT - Ge 49:15; Num 10:33; Dt 12:9; 28:65; Jdg 20:43; Ru 1:9; 2Sa 14:17; 1Ki 8:56; 1Chr 22:9; 28:2; 2Chr 6:41; Ps 23:2; 95:11; 132:8, 14; Isa 11:10; 28:12; 32:18; 66:1; Jer 45:3; 51:59; Mic 2:10; Zech 9:1. NAS Usage = comforting(1), permanent(1), place(1), place of rest(1), quartermaster*(1), quiet(1), rest(8), resting(1), resting place(7), resting places(1). Glorious (03519)(kabod) is derived from a root which means to be heavy or weighty but is only rarely used literally. The fig use ("heavy with sin") is the more common use and gives rise to the idea of a "weighty" person in society, one who is honorable, impressive, worthy of respect, which is the meaning in >50% of the OT uses. The most significant use of kabod is to describe the glory or splendor of God. Glory is a “technical term for God’s manifest presence (Ex 16:7) and is often connected with the cloud (Ex 16:10 - see Shekinah glory cloud) and with the Ark of the Covenant. God's glory is essentially the profound, glowing, visible, confluent expression of His attributes which bear witness to an even more transcendent and incomprehensible reality of His essence. His resting place will be glorious (Isa 32:17,18 66:10-12 Ps 91:1,4 116:7 Jer 6:16 Hag 2:9 2Th 1:7-12 Heb 4:1,9-16 1Pe 1:7-9 5:10) - It will be glorious because the Glorious One, the Messiah is there, the One Who is our Rest forever (cp Mt 11:28, 29). Isaiah 11:11 Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.: Will again: Isa 60:1-66:24 Lev 26:40-42 Dt 4:27-31 30:3-6 Ps 68:22 Jer 23:7,8 Jer 30:8-11 31:36-40 33:24-26 Eze 11:16-20 34:23-28 36:24-28 Eze 37:1-48:35 Ho 1:11 3:4,5 Joe 3:1-21 Am 9:14,15 Mic 7:14,15 Zec 10:8-12 12:1-14:21 Ro 11:15,26 2Co 3:16 Assyria: Isa 11:16 27:12,13 Mic 7:12) (Egypt: Isa 19:23 Jer 44:1 Pathros: Eze 30:14 Cush: Isa 45:14 Ge 10:6,7 Elam: Ge 10:22 Jer 25:25 Da 8:2 Shinar: Ge 10:10 11:2 Zec 5:11 Hamath: Isa 10:9 Jer 49:23 Zec 9:2 islands: Isa 24:15 42:4 66:19 Ge 10:5 Jer 31:10 Eze 27:6 Da 11:18 Zeph 2:11 On that day (expression of time) - What day? The day Messiah returns to rule and reign over the regenerated earth during the Millennium. Adonai - The Sovereign Master (See study of Adonai - My Lord, My Master). Recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people (NET Bible = "reclaim the remnant") - The remnant refers to the Jews who have placed their faith in the Messiah. His people in this context refers to the Jews (as is made blatantly clear from Isa 11:12 "Israel… Judah") and is not a reference to the church. F. C. Jennings - The "first time" is identified in v. 16: "Like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt". "This first deliverance is made a kind of pattern for the second future one when His hand shall again be active, only this second time it shall not only be from Egypt but from every country of the earth" Recover (07069)(qanah) means to buy, to purchase, to acquire. A second meaning is to create or to beget. Qanah in the present context could have either the sense of God "buying back" (cp redeeming) or of Him "creating" a people for His own possession (see comment below). Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; Until Your people pass over, O Lord, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased. (Ex 15:16, see similar use of qanah in Ps 74:2). Comment: By bringing his people out of Egypt, their ownership had passed to him from the Egyptians, just as if he had bought them. (See Ex 6:6, 7; 19:5). In essence the use of qanah in the context of Exodus 15 is a picture of redemption (pay the price to set a captive free) as in Ex 15:13 ("the people whom You have redeemed"). One other thought should be considered for the verb qanah can also mean create or even beget. If this is the intended meaning, then Israel would appear here as God’s newly created people. To translate qanah the Lxx uses the verb ktaomai which means to acquire or obtain as one's possession. Thus God "purchased" Israel and they were now "His possession." Qanah is translated with the Greek verb prostithemi which means literally to put or place to and then to add, to join to or to gather with as uniting a people into a society already existing. Second time - Note first that this "time reference" cannot refer to the re-creation of the Jewish state in May, 1948 and the present Aliyah (literally "ascent" and refers to the return) of many Jews to the State of Israel because, that can only be fulfilled when Messiah rules on the earth. The natural question (always remember to interrogate the text with the 5W/H'S) is "When (or what) was the first time?" Most authorities favor that first time was God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt (NET Bible Note, John MacArthur, ESV Study Bible). In support of this interpretation is that Ex 15:16 (see comments above) uses the same verb qanah to describe God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and making them His own possession. Others (Thomas Constable, Jamieson) feel that the first time they were "recovered" was after the Babylonian exile that began in 586BC and lasted for 70 years.