Post by Nephi –
Whereas Isaiah has been pretty clear in warning the children of Israel of multiple destructions to be poured out upon them due to their rebellions, I rejoice in this section of his writings wherein he foretells a great restoration and eventual reign of our Savior Himself on the earth. How glorious a prophecy.
Just look at what he says. A rod will come out of the stem of Jesse which certainly refers to Jesus Christ. He will have the spirit of the God and thus the spirit of wisdom and understanding. He will serve as a righteous judge and will be an advocate of the poor and the meek repairing all the injustices inflicted upon them. In the end, the Messiah, girdled with perfect righteousness and faithfulness, will smite the earth and slay the wicked with the simple words of truth. This will usher in a time of glorious conditions. The order of the world will be greatly changed and any hate between God’s creations will cease. Isaiah describes this time where the wolf will lie down with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion and fatling together and a little child shall lead them.
He continues saying the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones will lie down together and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The sucking child will lay on the hole of the asp and the weaned child will put his hand on the cockatrice’s den. Peace, love and kindness will rule.
This peace will fill the earth, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. In those last days, there will be a root of Jesse which will stand for an ensign of the people and the Gentiles will seek it. The root of Jesse certainly refers to a chosen servant of the Lord called to raise this ensign to which the righteous would gather. This great servant will be a descendant of both Jesse and Joseph of old. This will eventually become a great time of rest.
The Lord will set His hand again to recover the remnant of His people scattered throughout the world, including Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath and from the islands of the sea. The outcasts of Israel will gather together with the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. And for once Judah and Ephriam will not be at odds. And yet, their enemies will be cut off.
Isaiah makes beautiful references to the first time the Lord set His hand to gather His people, when He brought them out of captivity in Egypt. As the Messiah gathers them once again, he will remove all their enemies from out of the path. Isaiah refers to Edom, Moab, the children of Ammon and the Philistines representing the many enemies of Israel and says they will become the servants. And just as the Red Sea was parted for dry passage by Moses, all obstacles will be removed as the dispersed of Israel are gathered.
Many of you reading this blog will recognize elements of this great prophecy of Isaiah being fulfilled in your day. What we will look forward to in the very distant future, you will be living. I exhort you to seek the Savior and be worthy to be called His.
