Isaiah 11 So thankful for these words!  In the darkest of times, with exile and destruction right outside their doors.. the Lord once again revealed His glory to His people.  And we also rejoice at His precious gift!

"Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse.. " 

The son of David.. the Son of God has come!  "And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him.."  Jesus was baptized by John who testified.. "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained on Him.... and I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." ( John 1:32,34)

Isaiah writes that the Spirit will be displayed by His;

"wisdom and understanding"

"counsel and strength"

"knowledge and the fear of the Lord" 

"And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked." 

In His first coming, Jesus fulfilled most of this prophecy. In His second coming He will complete the rest.  In righteousness.. Jesus will judge all those who walk in wickedness. Every one who does not repent and trust in His salvation, finding forgiveness and cleansing in Him... will be slain. 

But, to all who will believe in Him.. we will see His glorious "resting place.  It is a thrilling and amazing  description that we are given here! 

The wolf and the lamb living together.

The leopard and the kid.. laying side by side.

The calf and the lion.. and a little boy.. all playing together. 

The cow and the bear grazing while their offspring rest side by side.  

The lions eating straw, the child playing near the snakes.. 

"They will not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full on the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

A world as we have never seen before. No death. No war. No fear.  Where Jesus reigns with righteousness and faithfulness. How wonderful it will be!

"Sing to Adonai a new song! Sing to Adonai, all the earth! Sing to Adonai, bless His name! Proclaim His victories day after day! Declare His glory among the nations, his wonders amount all peoples.!" (Psalm 96:1-3) 

Father, You are great and greatly to be praised.  We look forward to the return of Jesus Christ... to come and reign here for 1000 years! We want to be with You, in Your Presence, forever and ever.  This world is a place with too much darkness and too much hurt. May the earth be filled with" the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!" Come Lord Jesus! Amen.