This chapter foretells the Messiah’s coming – both Jesus’ first and second arrival – with details on His leadership style.
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (v1-2)
Before we even learn of Jesus’ leadership style and His future reign, we learn of His ‘qualifications’. First, we learn that He will fulfill prophesy and promise by descending from the royal line of Jesse/David. Second and more importantly, we learn He is sent by God and fully empowered by the Spirit as God’s Son and representative.
We are told that seven aspects of the Spirit will be upon Him (note: the number seven is significant because it represents fullness and completion): the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel, the Spirit of might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord.
God wants us to know that Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, is His fully authorized representative and our King. He is God in the flesh, and will one day rule over a new Heaven and new Earth with all of God’s power and authority, with the fullness of God’s Spirit upon Him.
Believe it or not, we are given the same Spirit when we are adopted into God’s kingdom and become coheirs with Jesus. I suggest we embrace this special gift, heed God’s guidance, and allow the Spirit to expand Jesus’ kingdom through the work of our hands and the fruit of our lips.
Father God, our Glorious and Generous Lord, You have blessed us so richly with Your Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our King. Please help us to remain humbly submitted to Your leading in our lives, fully surrendering our worldly wills in favor of following Your righteous will. May we honor, glorify, obey and praise You with every breath and action, from this day forward, until Jesus’ return, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training