Isaiah 11
Scripture – vs. 10-11 “On that day, Jesse’s Root will be raised high, posted as a rallying banner for the peoples. The nations will all come to him. His headquarters will be glorious.
Also on that day, the Master for the second time will reach out to bring back what’s left of his scattered people.” – MSG
Observation – Isaiah 11 contains three poems and a transition between the second & third explaining the context that God will gather the scattered. The Poems are about the root and/or new branch of Jesse, the coming Messiah who we know as Jesus. Jesus will bring about incredible peace… between peoples and even among the animal kingdom!
Isaiah is in Jerusalem where the two tribes of Judah & Benjamin rule. Israel (the other 10 tribes) is in conflict with Judah. However, Isaiah refers to Israel as blood brothers and demonstrates God’s concern for those Northern tribes. The new branch of Jesse will gather all God’s children back to Jerusalem, will establish highways that make gathering a true possibility.
Application – This weekend was a time for gatherings, a time for families to be together around meals, to connect with each other and to remember their blessings.
But how many family members are in conflict with someone and are scattered, whether truly set apart or even emotionally set apart from the others? How can the root/branch of Jesse create highways to gather in the scattered? Can I be gathered in as one of the scattered blood brothers?
Prayer – God who gathers his family together, gather me. Help me gather my family and friends. Make a way for us to be gathered to you and to each other. Open my eyes to your highways of forgiveness, highways of reconciliation and highways of love. Help me develop character, honour, respect and most importantly, love.
Lloyd Letkeman
Lloyd is married to Carol and the two of them are Regional Mission Mobilizers – Prairie Region for Mennonite Bretheren Mission.