Isaiah 11: Peace for the Prey, Passover & Exodus from Assyria -- 2019/09/27

Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, Wyoming, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Isaiah 11. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Yet another prophecy heard around Christmas time, Isaiah 11 has inspired several Christian hymns like “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” Clearly this description of peace, righteousness, and rescue from among the nations points ahead to our Lord and Savior. But how about the people of Isaiah’s day? In the last chapter, God calls Assyria His axe which He uses to strike down Israel and Judah, leaving only the stump of Jerusalem. What new growth was there in the wake of the devastation? King Hezekiah leads the people in returning to “the fear of the LORD” by returning to His Word. Guided by God’s light, He judges rightly in favor of the poor and meek. They are no longer exploited and preyed upon. Like calves & lions and cows & bears miraculously grazing together, the needy no longer live in fear. Finally, Hezekiah seeks out the remnant not only in Judah but also in Israel to the north, inviting a remnant to return from Egypt & Assyria to keep the Passover in Jerusalem.