Isaiah 11-12

Feb 7, 2024 • Pastor Daryl Zachman

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 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.” (Isaiah 11:1–2, NKJV)

Isaiah prophesied that a Rod would come from the stem of Jesse (David’s father); but also a Branch would grow from his roots. In other words, He would be both Jesse’s descendant and his predecessor. Only the eternal Son of God becoming human flesh could fulfill this prophecy. The Spirit of the LORD would rest upon Him. Seven attributes of the Holy Spirit are named that would rest on Jesus Christ.

-The Spirit of the LORD—He so represents the LORD that if you’ve seen Christ, you’ve seen the Father (John 14:9).

-The Spirit of wisdom—He possesses wisdom greater than Solomon’s and also embodies the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24).

-The Spirit of understanding—He is our merciful High Priest who understands us better than we understand ourselves (Hebrews 2:17).

-The Spirit of counsel—He is called Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).

-The Spirit of might—At His Second Coming, He will tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of God (Revelation 19:15).

-The Spirit of knowledge—Christ doesn’t need anyone to tell Him what is in a man because He already knows all men (John 2:24-25).

The Spirit of the fear of the LORD—Christ always pleases the Father and does His will (John 8:29; 6:38).

We marvel at these glorious attributes of Christ. But have we considered that the same Spirit who anointed Christ is available to us to help us live as Christ lived?

“Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive...” (John 7:37–39, ESV)

If we would receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, then we must be thirsty and come to Jesus and drink. Are you thirsty?