Isaiah 11:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:1-5

The spiritual nature of Messiah's perfections. It was certainly not from Isaiah that the Jews derived their notion that the Messiah would be a mighty temporal prince, the leader of armies, who would break the yoke of Rome from off their shoulders, and give them dominion over all the nations of the earth. Isaiah does, indeed, announce him as a King ( Isaiah 32:1 ), and could do no less, since he was indeed "King of kings, and Lord of lords." But he ever puts forward his spiritual character,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:1-5

Characteristics of Jesus Christ. The expression of the prophet, "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him," has a very close correspondence with the New Testament references to Jesus Christ ( Matthew 3:16 ; Luke 4:1 , Luke 4:14 , Luke 4:18 ; John 3:34 ). This full possession by our Lord of the Spirit of God revealed itself, and is still found, in these particulars which the prophecy indicates. I. His PERFECT PIETY . In him dwelt the "fear of the Lord" without measure ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:1-9

A RENEWED PROPHECY OF MESSIAH AND OF HIS KINGDOM . This chapter is closely connected with the preceding. With the final destruction of Assyria, which, being cut down, sends out no shoot ( Isaiah 10:33 , Isaiah 10:34 ), is contrasted the recuperative energy of Israel, which, though equally leveled with the ground ( Isaiah 9:18 , Isaiah 9:19 ), shall spring afresh into life, and "renew its youth." The recovery is connected—or rather identified with the coming of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:1-9

The coming of the Messiah. I. HIS ORIGIN . "From Ishai's worn stem a shoot will sprout forth, and a green branch burst forth from his roots." From the stock of David, now fallen very low, the coming Deliverer will arise in all the vigor of youth. Seldom does the great man come but of some pure and generous strain of blood. Like some stream which, long hidden underground, reappears again in the daylight, or some vein of precious ore, recovered after some extensive "fault," so it was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:2

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him (comp, Matthew 3:16 ; Luke 2:40 ; Luke 4:1 , Luke 4:14 , Luke 4:18 ; John 3:34 , etc.). The human nature of our Lord required, and received abundantly, the sanctifying and enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit. These influences were not in him transient or occasional, as in too many men, who more or less " resist the Spirit," but permanent and enduring. They " rested upon " him; from first to last never quitted, and never will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:2

Christ's enduements by the Spirit. The prophetic conception of Messiah is of a man, specially endowed and fitted for his mission by God's Spirit. The figures that help prophetic vision are David, endowed with the spirit of rule and of song; and Solomon, endowed with the spirit of wisdom. And the New Testament bids us think of Christ as having the Spirit, not by measure , but without measure—the fullness of God dwelling in him ( Colossians 1:19 ; Colossians 2:9 ). Compare the beginning... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:3

And shall make him of quick understanding . This rendering of the original, though defended by Dr. Kay, is quite without support from any other passage where the same word is used. Modern writers almost all translate, either "the breath of his nostrils shall be in the fear of the Lord" (Herder, Ewald, Meier, Cheyne), or "a sweet savor shall he find in the fear of the Lord" (Gesenius, Delitzsch, Rosenmüller, Knobel). He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes. "God sooth the heart." Our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:3-5

The principles of Messianic rule. These are exemplified in the actual administration of the head of the Messianic kingdom. The picture presented here is designed to be in sharp contrast with that of the unjust judges referred to in Isaiah 1:23 ; Isaiah 2:14 , Isaiah 2:15 ; Isaiah 10:1 , Isaiah 10:2 . The figure of clothing one's self, or being clothed, with moral attributes is not infrequent in the Scriptures. The girdle is mentioned as an essential part of Oriental dress, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:4

With righteousness shall he judge the poor (comp. Isaiah 32:1 , "A king shall reign in righteousness"). It would be characteristic of the Messiah's rule that the poor should be eared for, that oppression should cease, and judgment be no more perverted in favor of the rich. There is an intended contrast between the Messiah's rule in this respect, and that of the princes of Judah ( Isaiah 1:23 ; Isaiah 3:15 ; Isaiah 10:1 , Isaiah 10:2 ). Christian countries still, for the most part,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 11:5

Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins , etc.; i.e. "righteousness shall be ever with him, ever ready for active use, ever (as it were) bracing him for action." Assuredly, he was "righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works" ( Psalms 145:17 ). Faithfulness (comp. Ephesians 6:14 , "Having your loins girt about with truth"). read more

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