Isaiah

Isaiah 11: God gives a righteous King

Begin in prayer

Before we see new life springing from a ruined royal house, let us thank God for His promise. Ask Him to show our family the righteousness and peace of Jesus, the King we need.

He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalm 98:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the righteousness of Christ and the peace He brings. Gather wandering hearts to Him and teach us to love His rule. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After the mighty forest falls, a shoot grows from Jesse’s stock with the LORD’s Spirit resting upon Him. This King judges the poor with righteousness and kills the wicked by the breath of His lips. Animals that once threatened one another dwell together, and children live without fear among them. The earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD. Nations will seek Jesse’s root, and God will gather His scattered people from distant lands. Rivalry between Ephraim and Judah will end, enemies will be subdued and God will open a highway home like the way from Egypt.

As you read Isaiah 11, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives a righteous King who brings peace and gathers His scattered people.

The small shoot follows the felling of proud trees at the end of chapter 10. Jesse was David’s father, so the picture promises life from the royal family after its strength has been cut down. The Spirit equips the King with wisdom, might and the fear of the LORD. His judgment reaches beyond appearances and hearsay to defend the humble and destroy wickedness. The peaceful animals show how complete the safety of His kingdom will be. Knowledge of the LORD fills the earth as water fills the sea. Paul names Jesus as the One in whom the nations find this hope (Romans 15 verse 12). The gathered people receive unity, victory over enemies and a road home that God Himself opens.

How does Isaiah 11 show us that God gives a righteous King who brings peace and gathers His scattered people?

God gives a King who judges with righteousness.

His decisions are wiser than what eyes see and ears hear. The poor receive justice, and wickedness meets the sentence of His mouth. Righteousness and faithfulness hold His rule together like a belt.

God promises peace without fear of harm.

Wolves and lambs dwell together, and children are safe near creatures that once threatened them. The reason is the knowledge of the LORD filling the earth. Nothing will hurt or destroy on His holy mountain.

God gathers people who were scattered.

A banner lifts a signal for people to gather, and the nations seek Jesse’s root. Ephraim and Judah cease their rivalry and face their enemies together. God removes the water barriers and makes a highway like Israel’s way out of Egypt.

Memorise

A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I resisting the righteous rule of Jesus and the peace He gives?

The promised King will judge “with righteousness,” and the nations will seek Him. Paul identifies this root of Jesse with Jesus, the hope of the nations (Romans 15 verse 12). His kingdom brings the peace no proud empire can give.

Yet our sin deserves the judgment of this righteous King. Jesus took that judgment on Himself for His people, to bring them back to God. He rose from the grave as the root of Jesse, alive forever. Because His offering was made once for all, every believer has lasting peace with God.

Turn from rebellion and place your faith in Jesus. Come to the King who receives people from every nation. The King welcomes repentant believers with forgiveness and gathers them among His people. His righteous reign is a reason to hope when human strength lies in ruins.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the promised King from David’s family. Tell the peace and gathering as God promises them, without adding a timetable. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His righteous King brings peace and gathers His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

In his name, the nations will hope.

Matthew 12:21

God of peace, thank You for the King whose wisdom and righteousness never fail. Please turn our hearts to Jesus in repentance and faith. End the rivalry we cherish and teach us to seek His peace. Let our family honor His rule in the week ahead. Amen.