Isaiah 11:1-12:6. Remember that the first part of Isaiah (Chapters 2-12) revolve around a main idea. That idea is seen in what happens in chapter 6. In chapter 6 Isaiah had a vision of God in heaven. He was impressed by two things: how pure and perfect God is and how he (and we) didn’t deserve to be friends of God. But God was merciful and removed Isaiah’s guilt then he gave Isaiah an assignment, to warn the people the people of Judah about the mess they were in, in their relationship with God. Unfortunately the people would not listen.
The way Isaiah put his messages together (in their written form) was to reflect ideas around this main theme. Chapter 5 reflects chapters 7-8. Both focus on destruction in the southern kingdom. This destruction will come at the hands of the Assyrians. The main idea of God’s purity, or holiness, gives the reason for the destruction. Chapters 2-4 reflect chapters 9-11 giving the reason for the trouble the Israelites will find themselves in. The problem was pride, the Israelites were forgetting the source of the good life they had been enjoying. They also put their trust in others, like the Assyrian king and his army. While their trouble would be aimed at getting them to turn back to God we also see the nation of Assyria facing destruction for their pride too. And their destruction will be more complete. So God’s purity and holiness are contrasted with the pride of mankind. The pride results in a broken relationship with God and God’s purity and holiness mean that he cannot just ignore our disrespect and disobedience.
Throughout this section though we see another side of God, his love or care or compassion. In chapter 6 we saw God removing Isaiah’s guilt, symbolized by his “unclean lips”. There has been consistent talk of a few remaining people, a remnant. There has also been talk of help. That talk has moved from a vague mention of a “branch” of God, to an offer of help and another vague mention of a son born to a virgin, to talk of a new and permanent leader who will lead the people in following God and bring peace.
In chapter 11 we see more about this coming leader, we see that he will be a “shoot” of David, his descendant. David was a former king of Israel to whom God had promised an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:11-16). He will be guided by the Holy Spirit, he will act with true knowledge, and he will deal rightly as a king. We also see that the world will be a completely different place, full of peace down even to the animal kingdom. Danger will be unknown in his kingdom. This coming king will be good not just for the Israelites, but for all the people of the world. Isaiah finishes this chapter by telling them that God will bring his people home and reminding them that he has the power to do what needs to be done.
Chapter 12 finishes up this section of Isaiah with a song. Although it does not look like a song to us in Hebrew (the language which Isaiah wrote in) experts in the language say it is in a poetic form, the way lyrics of a song need to be. The song has two parts that start with the phrase “in that day you will say”. In the first part (verses 1-3) Isaiah tells us that the people will admit that they need God to save them. They will be thankful and have joy. In the second part of the song they then start to tell others about what great things God has done for them. So the song is a song of praise and worship and also a way of helping others learn about God (evangelism). Evangelism, in a way, is just worship in an open or public way.
Chapter 12 seems like a good conclusion to all of this section where we see both the purity and holiness of God and his love and forgiveness. Ultimately we will learn from the New Testament that Jesus is the promised king from the family of David. His kingdom is not finished yet, it is just started, with all of the people who have believed in him down through time. According to the book of Revelation his physical kingdom is coming. He is just getting the most important part together first, us. Jesus made the way possible by removing our guilt forever, not just in a symbol, but by really paying for our disobedience. Jesus also made it possible for the same Spirit which guides him to enter and guide us (Evidently although he is God he also allows the other two parts of God, the “Father” and the “Holy Spirit” to guide his actions)(See also “Three or One?”). Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul call this story the “gospel” a word which means good news. As people see and experience a new relationship with God it should motivate them to declare how great God is (worship). When they do this around people who do not know God this worship becomes evangelism. Peter told a group of believers to make Jesus the boss of their lives and to trust him with their forever. This new relationship with God should give them hope. They were to be ready to share their story with anyone who asked them where their hope came from (1 Peter 3:15). Lord thank you for caring about me, about us. Thank you for making a path back to you. Thank you for taking my punishment upon yourself. Thank you for cleaning me up and making me into a place where your Spirit can live, and help. Let me be forever grateful to you and help me talk about you wherever I am. Let my life show your presence and let my mouth tell about you all the time.