A New Branch
I have a lot of trees in my yard. I like trees because I like the shade, and they are very pretty to me. However, they can cause problems, too. The old branches break off, and I have to clean them up from time to time. Others were too close to my house, so I had to cut them down. Still, they are very resilient. After I cut them, it doesn't take long for new branches to start growing out of the stump. That is how God designed it so we would always have plenty of beautiful trees around us. Isaiah uses this reality in nature to explain a spiritual reality. (Isaiah 11:1) "Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot - yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old stump." It is obvious from the context that God is talking about Jesus. He came from David's family as a fulfillment of God's prophecy to David that one of his descendants would sit on the throne forever. Yes, Jesus will reign forever as Lord of the universe. The interesting truth of this verse is...