The Shoot of Jesse
The wolf will live with the lamb
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Isaiah promised that from the stump of Jesse, the family of King David that looked cut down and dead, a new shoot would grow. The Spirit of the LORD would rest on this King, and he would judge the poor with fairness. In his kingdom the wolf would live with the lamb, a little child would lead them, and the earth would be full of the knowledge of the LORD.
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 11:1-10
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A Shoot From a Stump | 11:1 | A new king will grow from David's family |
| 2. The Spirit Will Rest on Him | 11:2-3 | God's Spirit will fill him |
| 3. Fair to the Poor | 11:4-5 | He will judge with justice |
| 4. The Wolf and the Lamb | 11:6-9 | His kingdom will be full of peace |
| 5. A Banner for the Nations | 11:10 | All peoples will come to him |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Isaiah was a prophet in Jerusalem, about 740 to 700 BC (Isaiah 1:1).
What was happening. Assyria, a cruel empire, was cutting down nations like a forester cuts down trees. Just before this chapter, Isaiah says God will chop down the proud like a forest (10:33-34).
What this passage is. A promise. After the trees are cut down, something small and green will grow. It is poetry.
Who Jesse is. Jesse was King David's father. Saying "Jesse" instead of "David" reminds us that David's family started out small, with a shepherd in Bethlehem.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5A Shoot From a Stump
"Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit" (11:1).
Picture a tree cut down, with only a stump left. It looks dead. Then a tiny green shoot pushes up.
This is a comparison. David's royal family would be cut down. But God would raise up a new King from it.
Section 2 of 5The Spirit Will Rest on Him
"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him" (11:2).
Isaiah describes the Spirit's gifts: wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
The "fear of the LORD" means deep respect and trust in God. This King will delight in it.
He won't judge by what he sees or hears on the surface. He will see the truth.
Section 3 of 5Fair to the Poor
"But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth" (11:4).
Equity means fairness. The weakest people will finally get a fair hearing.
His words will be strong enough to stop the wicked. Righteousness and faithfulness will be like the belt he wears.
Section 4 of 5The Wolf and the Lamb
Then Isaiah paints a picture of peace.
"The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat" (11:6).
"And a little child will lead them" (11:6).
The cow and the bear will eat together. The lion will eat straw like an ox. A baby will play safely by a snake's hole.
"They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water" (11:9).
Section 5 of 5A Banner for the Nations
"On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples" (11:10).
A banner is a flag on a pole that people can see from far away and gather around.
People from every nation will come looking for him.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse" (11:1) | New life from what looked dead. |
| "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him" (11:2) | This King is filled with God's Spirit. |
| "With righteousness He will judge the poor" (11:4) | He will be fair to people others ignore. |
| "The wolf will live with the lamb" (11:6) | Enemies will live in peace. |
| "A little child will lead them" (11:6) | In his kingdom, power isn't about being big. |
| "The earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD" (11:9) | Everyone will know God. |
| "A banner for the peoples" (11:10) | People of every nation will come to him. |
Back Then
David's family lost the throne. About 150 years after Isaiah, Babylon conquered Jerusalem. No descendant of David ruled as king after that.
The "Jesse tree" is an Advent tradition. Families hang ornaments for Bible stories, from creation to Jesus, on a branch.
Matthew's Gospel begins with Jesus's family line through Jesse and David (Matthew 1:5-6).
Literal Reader Alert
Will lions really eat straw? Isaiah is using pictures to describe a world with no more harm. We don't know exactly what the new creation will look like. We know it will be full of peace.
Does this mean animals in heaven? The Bible promises a new creation (Revelation 21:1). Isaiah's picture includes animals. Beyond that, the Bible doesn't say much.
Was Isaiah talking about Jesus? The New Testament says yes. Paul quotes verse 10 about Jesus bringing hope to all nations (Romans 15:12).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The people | Hopeless | David's family seemed like a dead stump (11:1) |
| The poor | Hopeful | The King would judge them fairly (11:4) |
| The nations | Eager | They would come looking for him (11:10) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What feels like a stump in your life right now? Tap one.
Something ended
God grows new shoots from stumps. It isn't over.
Unfairness
This King judges the poor with fairness.
Fighting
In his kingdom, the wolf lives with the lamb.
I feel small
A little child leads them. God isn't impressed by size.
You Might Have Heard
"When something is gone, it's gone forever."
What's true: Real losses happen. David's family really did lose its throne.
What the passage is mainly about: God can bring new life from a dead stump. He did it with David's family by sending Jesus. He brings new life where things look finished.
Where Jesus is: Jesus is the shoot from Jesse's stump, filled with the Spirit, fair to the poor, and the banner for every nation.
Good News
The tree was cut down. But God made something new grow.
"Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse" (11:1).
Jesus is that shoot. He brings justice for the poor and peace for the world. One day, nothing will harm or destroy anymore.
From a dead stump, God raised up Jesus, the King full of the Spirit. His kingdom brings justice and peace.
Big Idea
From the stump of Jesse, God will raise a King full of his Spirit. In his kingdom, the wolf will live with the lamb.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther noted that Isaiah says the King comes from Jesse, a humble shepherd, not from David the great king. He said God likes to work from small and lowly beginnings.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Isaiah 11:1-10 on the Second Sunday of Advent.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Second Sunday of Advent Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 11:1–10
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Shoot of Jesse, explained in plain words. From a dead stump, God will raise a King full of his Spirit. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-shoot-of-jesse/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church