A Stump & Its God
4/20/26 Bible Thought (Isaiah 10-11)
Main Idea: God’s purpose of a renewed creation and return to Eden will prevail.
A Look at the Text:
Our text picks up today with another message of hope. First, it is a message of hope rooted in the judgment of Assyria.
Assyria was arrogant and boastful of their great prowess (Isa. 10:12-13). Yet they were totally unaware that they were merely an axe in the hands of Yahweh (Isa. 10:15). Soon, Judah would have no need to fear Assyria, for God’s purpose would prevail (Isa. 10:24-25).
Yet the people of God had an even greater reason to hope. Not only would their enemies be destroyed, but there was coming a day when they would be ruled by one who would be endowed with the Spirit of the Lord, one whose reign would be characterized by righteousness (Isa. 11:4-5).
Though at the present David’s house seemed to be a mere stump, a new shoot would come forth with a fruit-bearing branch. Through the reign of this ruler, not only would Judah experience great blessedness, but there would be a return to Edenic conditions. Wolves and lambs would dwell together and a child could play by a cobra (Isa. 11:6-9).
A day of hope was on the horizon and it was tied to the reign of the Branch.
Bringing it Home:
As we come to the New Testament, it is explicit that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of David that was long-awaited (Matt. 1:1). Although at the time of His coming it certainly would have seemed there was nothing left of God’s promise to David, the dead stump sprouted new life.
His reign is characterized by righteousness. He never sinned. He never erred in perfect obedience to the Father. He both loved the sinner and upheld justice. In Him, we find the hope of a return to Eden even today.
It’s hard to remember at times that humanity’s fall into sin didn’t just simply introduce a sinful propensity into the lives of humans, but that it had cosmic implications bringing about death and decay into the whole created order (see Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:20-22).
However the curse was not to be the end of the story. There is still coming a great return.
At present, he promises are partially fulfilled. The Branch’s reign has been inaugurated, but as yet has not been consummated. However, the day is coming when:
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9).
It is a day of hope. A day of perfect peace. A day where creation will have finally returned to Eden.
In that day and the God who always keeps His promise, we can hope.
Challenge:
Do I ever lose sight of the cosmic effects of the fall, forgetting that all that is “not good” is ultimately sourced in human rebellion?