The Book of Emmanuel Assignment
Malcolm Short
Bibl 315: Major Prophets
Oct 6, 2022
The nation of Israel received a prophetic word from Isaiah before the coming judgment
for their sins. Since Israel was overrun with disobedience and corruption, God used Assyria to
punish them. This, however, does not imply that God had allied with Assyria. He also intended to
punish them for their arrogance and pride.1 Martin asserts, “Isaiah then assured his readers that
the Assyrian burden would be removed from Judah. They need not be afraid of the Assyrians.
After God had used them to accomplish His purpose against Israel, He would turn His anger
1 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1055.
1
against Assyria and punish her.”2 Isaiah uses the fall of the Assyrian empire to contrast the
revelation of God’s messianic kingdom. Chapter 11 of the “Book of Immanuel” is a significant
portion that not only expands on the purpose of the Messianic King but also reveals His
character. Although the historical audience learned that the Davidic line would be removed from
power, they discovered that its fate would be greater than its demise. Hindson summarizes,
“Isaiah predicted that the kingdom of Judah would sink so low that the very Davidic line, whose
perpetuity was such a matter of Ahaz’s concern (Isa 7:1–14), would actually be cut down in the
future and have to begin anew.”3 Isaiah describes this new beginning as a “shoot” or sprout that
would come forth in the future and would be prosperous (Isaiah 11:1). This reflects God’s
promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:16. He also likens Him to a “root” and a “branch” which implies
He is both the source and the manifestation of the very lineage from which He hails (Isaiah
11:1).4
This descendent is not ordinary, as the Spirit of the Lord would rest on Him and guide
Him with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge. Among these characteristics
would reside a fear of the Lord that He would delight in (Isaiah 11:2). Martin adds, “To fear God
is to respond to Him in awe, trust, obedience, and worship.”5 In light of the before chapters in the
“Book of Immanuel,” this person is of divine origin. As one born of a virgin, no ordinary human
king has such attributes to bring world peace, global prosperity, and divine blessing.6 Isaiah
continues describing this steadfast, righteous judge who ensures justice for the needy and the
2 Ibid., 1056.
3 Edward E. Hindson, “Isaiah 11:1–16: The Reign of the Righteous Messianic King,” in The Moody
Handbook of Messianic Prophecy: Studies and Expositions of the Messiah in the Old Testament, ed. Michael
Rydelnik and Edwin Blum (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2019), 847.
4 Hindson, “Isaiah 11:1–16: The Reign of the Righteous Messianic King,” in The Moody Handbook, 848–
849.
5 Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1056.
6 Hindson, “Isaiah 11:1–16: The Reign of the Righteous Messianic King,” in The Moody Handbook, 847–
848.
2
poor (Isaiah 11:3-4). In the ancient Near East, a king was assessed by how well he handled
complex cases and his commitment to providing for the vulnerable classes of society.7 This
Messiah was anticipated to fit this description as a faithful and righteous king (Isaiah 11:5). In
these times, Isaiah illustrates a world of harmony. He states, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf
together; and a little child shall lead them...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.”
(Isaiah 11:6-9 ESV). This beautiful depiction shows that the nature of the world under this divine
rule is defined by peace and serenity. Walton deduces, “The reason such tranquility is possible is
that all the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isa. 11:9; cf. Jer. 31:34; Hab. 2:14).
This means more than people knowing intellectually about the Lord. The idea is that people
7 Walton, John H., et al. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament: Old Testament (Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 600.
3
everywhere will live according to God’s principles and Word. Animals will be affected, as
well.”8
In these days, the Jews will benefit from the Lord’s blessing as He gathers them from
their scattered places among the earth (Isaiah 11:11). However, this does not exclude Gentiles
from having a place among God’s people.9 In verses 11–16, Isaiah compared this migration to a
second Exodus, which they experienced about 700 years earlier from Egypt.10 After this reunion,
Isaiah depicts a world where North and South Israel were reunited. There would be no hostilities
between them (Isaiah 11:13). As a result, they would be able to overtake their enemies (Isaiah
11:14). As the Israelites return, the Gulf of Suez will dry up so they can cross to return from
Egypt and Cush. Like the Red Sea in Egypt, the Euphrates River will be divided into shallow
canals so the people can return to Israel from the east (Isaiah 11:15-16).11
In the days of Isaiah, this Messianic prophecy was loaded with uncertainties about
Israel’s current state and trust that the Lord would be faithful despite their shortcomings. The
ancient Israelites experienced man’s inadequacies, and Isaiah reveals a coming day when a
redeemer of God’s own Spirit would arrive and rectify their fallen state. The Israelites would
need to cling to this truth as they faced future losses and captivity. The Lord of their ancestors
saw them, recognized their need for mercy and redemption, and His righteous and just savior
would arrive to restore the Land of Israel and its people. Despite their current battles, in this, the
Israelites could find hope. In the end, Isaiah’s prophecy indicates that nothing will stand in the
way of Israel’s future return to the promised land and the tranquility they will receive through
God’s mercy. 12
To modern-day Christians, this is a partially fulfilled prophecy in the person and work of
8 Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1057.
9 Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1057.
10 Ibid., 1057.
11 Ibid., 1058.
12 Hindson, “Isaiah 11:1–16: The Reign of the Righteous Messianic King,” in The Moody Handbook, 851.
4
Jesus Christ. From the Davidic lineage, the Messiah “who takes away the sin of the world” (Joh
1:29 ESV) has arrived. Martin clarifies, “Apparently Isaiah assumed that the messianic Child,
Jesus Christ, would establish His reign in one Advent, that when the Child grew up He would
rule in triumph. Like the other prophets, Isaiah was not aware of the great time gap between
Messiah’s two Advents.”13 Although the prophecy has not been entirely fulfilled, there has been
a partial revelation into God’s redeeming work. Jesus has come into the world and offered
Himself as the final atoning sin offering for Jews and Gentiles. Those that believe in His deity
and work on the cross will receive everlasting life as they are reunited with God in heaven after
their physical death. When Jesus, the Messiah, returns, He will continue His work by destroying
the forces of evil for good. He will institute the new heaven and the new earth, which will reveal
the full manifestation of Isaiah’s prophecy when all forms of life will be at peace with one
another (Rev. 21:1).
Bibliography
Hindson, Edward E. “Isaiah 11:1–16: The Reign of the Righteous Messianic King.” In The
Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy: Studies and Expositions of the Messiah in the
Old Testament, edited by Michael Rydelnik and Edwin Blum, 845–855. Chicago, IL:
Moody Publishers, 2019.
Martin, John A. “Isaiah.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Walton, John H., et al. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament: Old Testament,
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
13 Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1053–1054.
5
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
