Read the Word:
Isaiah 11:1-9
Meditate on the Word:
It is not very hard to think of a long list of earthly rulers who have not been godly. Nearly since the invention of the government, there have been those who have sought to use their rule to their advantage. Some have become dictators who use their military strength to shut down their enemies. Some have amassed great wealth while keeping others in poverty. Some have started wars to gain and keep power. These types of governments were never God’s ideal, especially for His people Israel.
God Himself was Israel’s ruler until the people decided that they needed, even demanded, an earthly king (1 Samuel 8). The people got exactly what they asked for after rejecting God as their ruler. They got kings who taxed them, led them into battles, and led them further away from God until He allowed them to be conquered. But God’s plan is always to restore. Isaiah shows us two things here: a restoration of godly government under the Messiah, and a restoration of the created order. In the created order, there were no “natural enemies.” No animals (nor people) were predators. Ultimately, we will see that restoration come to fruition.
This is the reason for our hope. We do not trust in any man’s ability to do what only God can do. We trust that He, in His perfect time, will restore all things. And we look forward to that day.
Pray the Word:
Pray that our Lord will quickly come.
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