Jump Start # 685

Isaiah 11:5 “Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist.”

Our passage today is Isaiah’s description of the Messiah. The prophet does not name him by name or does he use the expression, “Messiah,” but all things point to that. It is very obvious that the prophet is speaking of Jesus. He is described as:

• A shoot from the stem of Jesse
• The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him
• With righteousness He will judge the poor
• He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth
• With the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked
• Righteousness and faithfulness are His ways

The prophet is defining the nature of the Messiah. His rule, His manner, and His ways are that of the Lord.

Immediately following, Isaiah says, ‘the wolf will dwell with the lamb…the lion will eat straw like the ox…’ The prophet lists a series of contrasts to the animal world that is so different than what he knew and what we know. The nature of these animals are changed. He states, “they will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (11:9).

The Messiah’s impact upon the world will be illustrated by changed lives. This is what Isaiah is showing. Some have thought that Isaiah is talking about real animals that will really change. Some how the world will go back to the days of the garden of Eden, a paradise on earth.

I don’t see that. Here’s why:

• God’s concern has always been about man, not plants, trees and animals. Jesus came to rescue man, not creation. The curse of the world is removed when Jesus delivers the kingdom to His father (1 Cor 15). Then death is no more.

• Isaiah says that the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. This is talking about man. Only man can reason, understand and know the Lord. The words, “earth,” and “world,” sometimes refer to the planet and other times to humans. When Jesus said, “God so loved the world…” the thought is not lakes and mountains and waterfalls, but mankind. Only man has been made in the image of God. Only man is capable of sinning. Only man is rescued by Jesus. Only man has the knowledge of God. And when I use the word “man,” I refer to mankind, humans.
• Why does it matter if a lion eats meat or straw like an ox? How does that affect us?
• We see throughout the N.T. the emphasis upon the changed person. A new person in Christ.

– John: born again

– Ephesians: new man

– Romans: renewed mind

– Colossians: new self

The salvation of mankind involved more than just the forgiving the sins we have committed. Discipleship with the Lord changes a person. We become conformed to Christ. We learn to love, forgive and be compassionate. We look beyond ourselves, we look to others to help them. Christ lives in us. That changes a person. It changes their outlook. It changes their definition of things. It changes their vision and goals. It turns a selfish proud person into a humble servant. It turns a tightwad into being generous. It turns a spoiled person into being gracious and thankful. How does that happen? They learn Christ. They are filled of the knowledge of God. Their natures change.

This is what the Messiah did and continues to do. The prophet Isaiah was not looking back to Eden, he was looking forward to salvation in Christ. What a wonderful thing Jesus is and does.

Tomorrow evening, we are having a special lesson where I attend, Charlestown Road church of Christ, about “Is Jesus Still the Answer?” Come and join us at 7:00 pm. It’s the kind of thing that can change you!

Roger