No one really listened to Isaiah when he first declared these words. But later, when his people were exiled to Babylon, they would cherish his words. Promises like these would be the very thing that would give them hope. As they languished in exile, they would wonder whether God had abandoned his purpose for his people. The key indicator for this purpose had to do with the Davidic dynasty. As long as a son of David sat enthroned over them, they would know that God had not abandoned them. Here God makes a promise to the remnant of his people who would go into exile. The tree of the Davidic dynasty had been cut down and this, for the Jews, was what left them feeling abandoned and hopeless. But Isaiah assures them that God will not abandon them even though he would cut down the tree. A shoot would spring up from the stump of Jesse (David’s father). When would this happen? After the exile the Jews would have a Davidic ruler for a very short time but, after this, they were left waiting. The matter of Davidic kingship was a big issue for the Jews throughout the inter-testamental period. Finally, however, in about 30AD, their king came to them. Jesus’ legitimacy both naturally and supernaturally was evident to all. Isaiah foretells that, in Jesus, people would find their salvation and their joy. But will they? He stands before each person as an open door into God’s Kingdom. Will you enter?
Commit yourself to Jesus today and ask him to rule in your heart.
Read Isaiah 11 and 12.
