The old tree was an eyesore. No longer straight — pathetically crooked. It always seemed to be blight-infested. No matter what action was taken, it seemed easy prey for worms and bugs to strip off its foliage. The problem seemed to be even deeper. Each year, life was vanishing from its branches. Its total demise was inevitable. The chainsaw was engaged to do its work. The debris was taken to the dump. Just the big old stump remained.
Have you heard of the stump of Jesse? Yes, Jesse was the father of King David, and God had promised David that eventually, One would come from his family line and sit on the Throne forever. A descendant of David would rule over the Kingdom and reign forever. (2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 9:7).
Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:1-3 CSB
When you read the Old Testament, the emerging imagery of nothing more than a tree stump is so appropriate. The line of Jesse had become anything but a flourishing and fruitful tree. Even King David had his failures!
Over the centuries, most who reigned on the throne dishonoured and disobeyed the Lord. Frequently, the throne-sitters led the people into idolatry and gross departure from the ways of God. The entire human race had been sin-scorched – not merely singed by the raging flames of sin. Sin’s disastrous effects could be seen in the parched and barren ground of the human family—tragic deadness.
Vivid imagery was employed to describe the abysmal failure of David’s lineage and descendants – a barren old cut-down stump. But then, out of that old barren stump, life springs forth. What appeared to be completely dead is now shooting forth life. And what a life it was, is and will forever continue to be!
A baby is born in Bethlehem. A root out of a dry ground. (Isaiah 53:2) A shoot out of an old stump. Nothing too impressive, naturally speaking – but a sign of life and hope. Jesus stepped into humanity in such lowliness and humility and even poverty. But this shoot from the stump was ‘full’ of life, glory, fruitfulness, righteousness and power.
How refreshing to observe new life, full of promise, coming from the old stump! The humiliation, suffering and the Cross were all according to God’s purpose. But then the amazing resurrection and His ascension into Heaven. But it doesn’t stop there – He will return to earth. All of His enemies will be defeated swiftly, and He will reign upon the Throne. Every monarch, sultan, prime minister, and president will be subject to Him.
To elevate your thinking from your current circumstances take time to read this entire section from Isaiah 11.
Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, he will not execute justice by what he hears with his ears, but he will judge the poor righteously and execute justice for the oppressed of the land. He will strike the land with a scepter from his mouth, and he will kill the wicked with a command from his lips. Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a belt around his waist. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle. An infant will play beside the cobra’s pit, and a toddler will put his hand into a snake’s den. They will not harm or destroy each other on my entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is filled with water. On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will look to him for guidance, and his resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:1-10 CSB
Throughout His reign, no partiality, favouritism, or unrighteousness will come from His Throne. His millennial reign will be distinguished by wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
If you are depressed from your excessive doomscrolling on social media — if you are wondering where it will all end, open your Bible and understand this: it won’t always be like this here! How different things will be when the ‘shoot from the stump of Jesse’ reigns upon this earth!
Dear Child of God, your future is bright. To be forever with the Lord is our portion. Aren’t you thrilled today that your future includes reigning with Him? (2Timothy 2:12, Revelation 22:5)
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