A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit – Isaiah 11:1.
This passage of scripture is loaded with incredible meaning. Consider three (3) words of motion in this passage.[1]
- STUMP (ge’za) – this term represents life after a glorious state – a stump is an image of a tree that once existed in this location.
- SHOOT (ho’ter) – The picture is one of emergence, coming forth. There are 2 occurrences of this term in the Old Testament; Isaiah 11:1, Proverbs 14:3
- BRANCH (net’ser) – This is a picture of that which is bright and green indicating something beyond emergence to that of flourishing. There are 4 occurrences in the Old Testament.
We cannot overlook the force of translation, “…will come forth…” From Isaiah the author of these words is speaking “post exilic”. He sees after the fact. Pause and let this sink in for just a moment. Isaiah’s audience is Judah. He speaks as a revivalist warning Judah to repent or become like Israel to the north that was being led into captivity. In essence Isaiah went to the mountain top to look beyond their location and frame of mind, came back to report that God’s people will be cut down to a stump. However, I have good news to bring, A shoot will emerge, and a branch will flourish from what seemed to be dead and lifeless. Isaiah was not just writing about a future restoration of Israel. He was writing from a Messianic Prophetic view. Captivity was bad and it changed everything they were familiar with. Yet, something greater was yet to come.
Covid-19 has changed our perspectives on life and our future. We did not see this coming, but it came forcefully and suddenly. As an aged minister I see OPPORTUNITY for a greater advancement of the gospel today than I have seen in a very long time. It seems there is a lot of discussion on getting back to normal or preparing for a new normal. I do not desire either one. Pre-Covid, in religious communities we spoke of “getting out of the box.” The box no longer exists! If the “new normal” post-Covid is simply the old normal 2.0, I am not interested! Isaiah was not preparing the people for post-captivity nationalism. He was preparing them for an entirely new nation – a Christ-Follower nation! The stump was what previously existed. The shoot was the emergence of a new way. The branch was not just a new way, but a way that would flourish.
Oh, before I go, Jesus the Nazarene, He was the shoot and branch of Isaiah’s prophesy. Nazareth means “shoot springing forth.” Shootsville![2]
Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching.
[1] Logos Bible Software, Exegetical Guide. Accessed 2 May, 2020.
[2] Dave Admson, 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Christian Art Gifts: Bloomingdale. P.37.
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