A Branch from David's Line

January 10-12, 2014 - A Branch from David’s Line – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 11:1 “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a Branch bearing fruit from the old root” (NLT).

Out of the stump means Judah (the royal line of David) would be like a tree chopped down to a stump. But from that stump a new shoot would grow—the Messiah. He would be greater than the original tree and would bear much fruit. The Messiah is the fulfillment of God’s promise that a descendant of David would rule forever.

Isaiah 11:1 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (KJV). The commentary “out of the stump” seems clearer to interpret what the KJV was saying. “A Branch shall grow out of his roots” means that Isaiah gives a glorious picture of a future new world governed by the Branch, Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew word, netzer (“Branch”) is likely the root word from which the name “Nazareth” might came from. Jesus was called a Nazarene (Mat.2:23), which can mean either “a man of Nazareth” or “a man of the Branch.” He would come forth as a branch from the root of Jesse, like David’s father. The Messiah would become ruler of a world restored to peace, righteousness, and goodness.

The first fulfillment of the prophecy came 700 years later when Jesus Christ was born, and yet another prophecy we are waiting for the second coming of Christ. Isaiah 9:1-7 was about the birth of the Messiah King. Isaiah 9:7 “His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!” (NLT).

Suddenly, the Holy Spirit brought a song to my inner spirit, “Joy to the World! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature (people) sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and heav’n and nature (people) sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove, The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, and wonders of His love.” [Lyrics: Isaac Watts, Sing His Praise].

Oh, how wonderful that the Holy Spirit would enlighten my understanding of this song is related to Isaiah 11:1 and Isaiah 9:7. Then another song came to me, ‘Coming Again.’

Song: Jesus Is Coming Again

Marvelous message we bring,

Glorious carol sing,

Wonderful word of the King:

Jesus is coming again!

Chorus:

Coming again, Coming again;

May be morning, may be noon,

May be evening, and may be soon!

Coming again, Coming again;

O what a wonderful day it will be;

Jesus is coming again!

(John Willard Peterson, Sing His Praise)