Hope in the Glorious Lord

Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13

Isaiah 11 is another prophecy of the coming of Christ. The word Christ means Messiah. It again uses the language of a shoot of Jesse, telling of the family tree Jesus will be from. The Spirit of the Lord is said to rest on him. This Spirit includes God’s wisdom, council, might, knowledge, and reverence for the Lord. Righteousness, equity, and faithfulness mark the leadership of Christ who will champion the poor and meek but overthrow the wicked. This reign of the true Davidic king leads to the ultimate advent of the peaceable kingdom where all orders of creation creates a new Eden-like community.

In Romans Paul tells how whatever was written in former times was for their instruction. He quotes many Messianic prophecies emphasizing the servanthood of Christ. This he says is to confirm the promises – like our own Isaiah passage – given to their ancestors. He quotes these passages to declare that the Gentiles are included along with the Jews, finishing with a benediction focusing on the believer’s hope which in believing the glorious Lord Isaiah proclaimed will bring peace and joy.

The Isaiah passage ends with God’s dwelling being glorious due to his glorious reign causing a peaceful environment for all people of the world.

Paul encourages the Romans to live in harmony with one another –Jew and Gentile – in accordance to the example of Christ so that with one voice they can glorify God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He makes the point that not only the Jews – the circumcised who adhere to the promises of the Messiah coming but adds an “and” saying that the Gentiles might glorify God for God’s mercy of including all.

The hope of the Jewish people has become the hope of us Gentiles. Since we have seen the end game – the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of Christ coming and dying for our sins bringing salvation to even us, we too can trust in the promise of a peaceful kingdom of God to come. Believing this we can be filled with joy and peace, so we can abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit we have been given. Amen.

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