49. Rejoice, the LORD Reigns (2)

Hymn: RHC 542 Saved By Grace 30 When This Passing World Is Done 544 When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Isaiah 11:1-16

¹And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: ² And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; ³ And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: ⁴ But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. ⁵ And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. ⁶ The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. ⁹ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. ¹⁰ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. ¹¹ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. ¹² And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. ¹³ The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. ¹⁴ But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. ¹⁵ And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. ¹⁶ And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. (Isa. 11:1-16 KJV)

Rejoice, The LORD Reigns (2)

OUTLINE

Glories of His First Coming (v1-5)
Glories of His Second Coming (v6-10)
Return of Israel to the Promised Land (v11-16)

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Glories of His First Coming (v1-5)

² And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;³ And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

The seven-fold attribute of the Spirit of the LORD upon Christ.

The first is well described – the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him speaks of the Person of the Spirit of God was upon Him, He is God. This was fulfilled in when Christ’s baptism by John the Baptizer at the Jordan River in John 1:31-32 (KJV) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

Matthew recorded the authentication of the Son by Father directly from heaven – Matthew 3:16-17 (KJV) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:10 (KJV) And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Luke 3:22-23 (KJV) And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, …

All four gospels recorded the account of the resting of the Holy Spirit upon Christ.

The second and third – Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.

“The Spirit of wisdom”, this same phrase was used of Joshua after Moses laid his hands upon him, Joshua was a type of Christ – Deuteronomy 34:9 (KJV) And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

It speaks of godly wisdom, guided by directed, instructed by the Spirit of God.

Likewise, upon David when Samuel anointed him in 1 Samuel 16:13 (KJV) Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

As it was upon Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2:15 (KJV) And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

The Spirit of Wisdom is described as the Spirit of truth by our Lord which indwells the believer – John 14:17 (KJV) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 15:26 (KJV) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 16:13 (KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Also, in Ephesians 1:17 (KJV) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

It enables the redeemed to acknowledge Christ and to be guided by Him through the Holy Spirit. This is spiritual wisdom.

Wisdom and understanding or spiritual insight to know spiritual things and to embrace it – Ephesians 1:17-18 (KJV) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

The treasures of wisdom and knowledge come from Christ – Colossians 2:2-3 (KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And with it the fullness of the attributes of God in wisdom and understanding (insight).

It is described by James this wisdom – James 3:17-18 (KJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

There are 7 characters of godly wisdom that is given here:

(i) Pure

Freedom from defilements or impurities. In a more restricted sense, not only chaste but akin to holiness, free of such jealousies.

(ii) Peaceable

Pertaining to peace, peaceable or peaceful, healthful, wholesome; disposed to peace. Desiring and fostering peace by restraining discord, peace loving. Promotes between man and man and man and God.^[1]

Cole observed well, “Purity is first, but then wisdom is peaceable. In other words, if you compromise purity for the sake of peace, you are not acting in godly wisdom. On the other hand, if you hold to purity in a contentious or cantankerous manner, you are not displaying godly wisdom, because it is peaceable”^[2]

(iii) Gentle

Fair and equitable, yielding and kind, forbearing, considerate, courteous.

(iv) Easy to be intreated

Can be persuaded in a good sense not weak, open to reason and willing to listen. A submissive, conciliatory and reasonable attitude.

(v) Full of mercy and good fruit

Showing compassion on those in distress. Meeting the need rather than dealing what is deserved.

(vi) Without partiality

As being without uncertainty unwavering, unshakable. Not easily bought. Incorruptible. Speaks of one’s loyalty to God.

(vii) Without hypocrisy

Sincere, not masked or covered up. Stable, trustworthy, transparent.

Steve Cole said insightfully, “If we all would seek to live by these seven qualities of godly wisdom, personal conflicts would be greatly minimized and harmonious relationships would blossom and grow.”

When such godly character is exercised in relationship, Christian fellowship would be harmonious and flourish.

Spiritual of Counsel and Might

The word “counsel” to point men to everlasting life, reconciliation with God and might speaks of God’s powerful deeds manifested in the life of Christ – Acts 10:38 (KJV) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Spirit of Knowledge and Fear

This knowledge is the knowledge of God, of good and evil. Christ was submitted to the will of the Father always.

Isaiah 42:1 (KJV) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Hebrews 5:7 (KJV) Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

³ And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

Christ metes out righteous judgment. Moses stipulated this at the appointment of Israel’s judges – Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (KJV) And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Our Lord Jesus said in John 7:24 (KJV) Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. It means through respect of persons, and so as to please men. It speaks of the Scribes and Pharisees who had condemned the action of Christ, in curing the diseased man on the sabbath day, and sought to kill him for it.

⁴ But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

He shall see that impartial justice is done them; He shall not take part with the rich against the poor, but shall show that He is the friend of justice. This is the quality of a just and upright magistrate, and this character the Lord Jesus everywhere evinced. [Barnes]

He chose His disciples from among the poor; He condescended to be their companion and friend; He provided for their needs; and He pronounced their condition blessed – Matthew 5:3 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

There may be a reference here to the poor in spirit – the humble, the penitent; but the main idea is, that He would not be influenced by any undue regard for the higher ranks of life, but would be the friend and patron of the poor. [Barnes]

He shall be their friend and their impartial judge – reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. The meek are those who follow God and do His will.

And he shall smite the earth – Christ is an upright Judge or Prince who would punish the wicked, to “smite” the earth or the wicked is expressive of punishment – Psalm 2:9-12 (KJV) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Revelation 2:27 (KJV) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

The scene of Christ cleansing the Temple by expelling the merchants and money-changes.

Matthew 21:12-17 (KJV) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Mark 11:15-19 (KJV) And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. And when even was come, he went out of the city.

Luke 19:45-48 (KJV) And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

The trait is that of a just, upright, impartial exercise of power – such as would be manifested in the defense of the poor and the innocent, and in the punishment of the proud and the guilty.

⁵ And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Christ will be a just and faithful King – “The girdle of the loins” refers to the cincture, or band, like a belt with which the ancients girded themselves.

A part of their dress consisted of an outward, loose, flowing robe. This robe it was necessary to gird up, or to confine close to the body in active labour, or in running; and the meaning of the figure used here is that the virtues of righteousness and justice would adhere to Him as closely and inseparably as the garment does to the body to which it was bound.

The figure of representing the virtues as clothing, or describing them as parts of dress.

Job 29:14 (KJV) I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

Isaiah 61:10 (KJV) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

And the Apostle Paul’s beautiful description in Ephesians 6:13-17 (KJV) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The idea is, that he shall be distinguished for justice and truth, and that a zeal for these shall make him strong and active in executing the purposes of his reign. This closes the description of the “personal” qualities of the Messiah. The account of the effects of his reign follows in the subsequent verses. [Barnes]

Glories of His Second Coming (v6-10)

⁶ The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. ⁹ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. ¹⁰ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

The prophet describes the effect of His reign in producing peace and tranquility on the earth. The description is highly poetical, and is one that is common in ancient writings in describing a golden age. The two leading ideas are those of “peace” and “security.”

This will take place in the Millennium when Christ returns to reign upon the earth for a thousand years, Satan shall be bound during this period, and the saints shall reign with Christ.

Revelation 20:1-6 (KJV) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

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