“The Golden Age”
“... and His place of rest will be glorious.” [v 10]
I. Who is this Messiah?
A. He will come from the “stump of Jesse.”
1. A stump is what’s left when a tree is cut down.
a. At the time of Isaiah’s David’s line was strong.
b. By Jesus’ time, it was buried in infamy.
2. Notice, this is “the stump of Jesse” (not David)
a. There is only one Jesse. He was considered “the least.”
b. David’s origins are “lowly” and reflected in Jesus’ birth.
B. He will demonstrate dependence on the Holy Spirit.
1. The human nature of Jesus required dependence on the Holy Spirit.
a. “But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” [Philippians 2:7]
1.) “Made himself nothing” – the Greek work literally means “emptied.”
2.) NLT “gave up His divine privileges.”
3. MSG “He set aside the privileges of deity.”
b. Necessary because our human nature is bent.
1.) Jesus demonstrated how to live. He was the model and pattern.
2.) The template is to show us how to depend on the Holy Spirit.
2. There are three sets (couplets) that must be understood together.
a. Wisdom and understanding.
1.) Wisdom is the intellectual ability to perceive.
2.) Understanding is moral intelligence (the correct use of perception).
b. Council and might.
1.) Council is the ability to give direction.
2.) Might is the ability to build and have strength.
***** These two would indicate the ability to create a plan and make the though into action.
c. Knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
1.) Knowledge is acquainted with the true will of God. (As opposed to wishful thinking or cultural induced/conditioned thinking.)
2.) The fear of the Lord is seen in the determination to carry out the will of God.
II. How does He judge?
A. Different than the world.
John 7:24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” Or as the NLT puts it, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
1. Not by sight or appearance.
2. Not by hearing or hearsay.
B. Judge with:
1. Righteousness is what is right.
2. Equity means what is fair.
3. We see the contrast between the Messiah and human systems.
a. The poor/needy get justice.
b. The meek/exploited get things set right.
***** In Jesus there is not social class, no economic class, no racial distinctions, and nobody but Jesus gets any glory. (He’s the only one worthy.)
III. What will the Messiah’s kingdom look like.
A. Creation is restored to God’s original (and intended) order.
(Romans 8:19 – 25)
1. Romans 8:20 “the creation was subjected to frustration.”
a. The theological word for this is “cursed.”
b. The Curse is the consequences of the first sin (disobeying God).
2. Romans 8:21 “liberated from the bondage of decay”...”glorious freedom.”
a. Isaiah sees a “new heaven and a new earth” [Revelation 21:1] where everything is back to its original design.
b. Isaiah 11:9 “neither will harm or destroy.”
B. We see the image of “perfect peace.”
1. The animal world is at peace.
a. There is no predatory behavior.
b. There is no need to eat each other.
c. There is no need to protect themselves.
2. There is peace between humans and animals.
a. This is not talking about domesticated animals.
b. Even the image/relationship between children (innocent) and animals ( by nature would hurt or kill) is one of peace.
C. Key: “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.”
1. The knowledge of the Lord starts at the cross.
a. Jesus is “the lamb that was slain.” [Revelation 5:12]
b. Jesus is the “King of Kings.” [Revelation 19:16]
2. Jesus’ rest... His kingdom will be glorious!
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