Isaiah 11:1-5
What stuck out to you in reading these verses today?
Did the verses raise any questions as you read?
What is God leading you to know or do from these verses?
This is such a great picture! It should be a great encouragement to us. The theme of the Jesse tree that is found in this passage is an image that is the basis for our journey through Scripture this advent.
The image illustrates a couple truths. First, there is a stump because the tree, which was Israel, was cut down because of sin. God cut down his own tree. He takes sin seriously in his people. We are not immune to his judgment. Cutting a tree down to its stump is a drastic action to destroy a tree that is sick and dying.
Second, there is hope because there is still a stump left. The tree is not totally dead and gone. No one has come with a stump grinder to destroy it, because God allowed the stump to remain for a purpose. Even though his people sinned, he still had a plan for them, for the faithful remnant that remained. Out of that stump would grow the heir of Jesse, the righteous branch, Jesus. From that branch his people would grow, a people that includes all who trust in Jesus. Consider today your great sin and your greater Savior.
I Commend Joy! 