pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Jesse


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The Stump That Rises

Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Isaiah 11:10 – “On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out.”

Isaiah writes the words that we read today during a time of turmoil and distress. Judah’s revolt had been crushed by Assyria. Yes, God promises vengeance on Assyria – some day. Today, though, as the prophet writes, Judah is deep in defeat. Like the first ray of sunshine after a long and stormy night, Isaiah writes, “A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse.” Judah is the stump right now – cut down, left to die. Right now, yes, this is their reality. But it is not their forever. One day a shoot will rise up.

The Lord’s Spirit will rest upon this future king, filling him with “wisdom… understanding… planning… strength… knowledge, and fear of the Lord.” What great qualities for a leader. This coming king will also be a man of and for the people. He won’t judge by appearance or hearsay – no favoritism or sexism or any other “isms.” He will judge with righteousness and equity. He will remove the violent and the wicked. And the peace and harmony and justice that this coming king will establish, it will spread to all of creation. Wolf will live with lamb and calf will feed with the lion. Isaiah’s vision of this coming kingdom is one of great hope and promise.

Today, as I look out upon the world around me, there is much turmoil and distress. Violence and cruel words dominate the discussion in circles of power. Favoritism guides decisions. Division is the name of the game. We need hope. We need to be the people who raise the shoot of Jesse up, speaking words of light and love into the darkness and hate of our world. We need to raise high the will and way of Christ. “On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out.”

Prayer: Lord God, in these days, I quickly turn off the news, unable to hear more. I cannot scroll long without becoming wearied. We need to begin hearing a different story. So empower your church, O Lord, to be people who champion peace and harmony and justice. Empower us, O God, to raise up Christ’s light and love amidst the world’s darkness and hate. Use us, shine in us and through us, drawing the nations to seek out our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.


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On That Day…

Reading: Isaiah 8-11

‭Isaiah 11:10 – “On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious.”

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Chapter 8 begins with a prophecy about the downfall of Aram and Israel. It will come before Isaiah’s newborn son can speak. Assyria is on the rise. They will destroy Aram and Israel. They will sweep into Judah, getting all the way to Jerusalem. But they won’t conquer it. God tells Isaiah not to fear. Wait on the Lord. Yes, distress will come, but God is with us. The people will rejoice as God shatters the yoke, lifting their burden. And one day a great light will come. A child will be born. He will establish justice and righteousness forever. One day…

The Assyrians fall mightily upon Israel. This is meant to be a word of warning to Judah. To those who have deprived the needy of their rights and who have robbed the poor, God asks, “Where will you stash your wealth?” One day they too will become prisoners. But at present, it is Assyria who went too far. Because of the king’s pride and arrogance the word of warning became an assault on Judah. The Assyrians swept in, right up to Jerusalem, “the neck.” God will punish the Assyrians. God asks, “Will the ax glorify itself over the one who chops with it?” The hand guiding Assyria’s success will turn on it. The Assyrians army is destroyed with “terrible power.” They limp home, thoroughly defeated.

Chapter 11 brings more words of hope. It is similar to 9:2-7. While Isaiah and later readers hoped for a David-like king in their time, for centuries Christians have read these words as words that foretold Jesus. A shoot, a king, will come from Jesse’s line. The Spirit of God will be upon him. The Spirit will give him wisdom, strength, knowledge, and a fear of the Lord. He will be a champion for the poor and the suffering. What a contrast to the leaders described at the start of chapter 10! Peace and harmony will abound. The nations and the survivors will stream to this king on the holy mountain. “On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious.” Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for continuing to shape and form us to be your people, to make us into who you created us to be. As you choose to use the powers and things of this world to refine and remake us, help us to see your hand of love guiding it all. Lead us to trust in your ways. Help us to faithfully walk the path illuminated by the light shining in the darkness. Amen.


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The Battle Is God’s

Readings: 1st Samuel 16, 1st Samuel 17

1st Samuel 17:46 – “Then the whole world will know that there is a God on Israel’s side.”

Photo credit: Familyschaffner

God sends a grieving Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint Israel’s next king. He brings a heifer as a sort of guise – does it ever get sacrificed? Jesse has six sons pass before Samuel. Right from the start, Samuel thinks this is the one, but God corrects him. Humans see what’s visible to the eyes but God “sees into the heart.” None present are chosen so Samuel asks, “Is that all of your boys?” No. David is brought in from tending the sheep. God says, “That’s the one. Go anoint him.” And God’s Spirit comes up on David right then.

An evil spirit begins to torment Saul. Is that because David has been anointed? Music was thought to calm such spirits. David is known as a skilled musician. He becomes part of Saul’s court, playing the lyre to sooth Saul’s demons. But the time for war comes. The Philistines and the Israelites face off. But instead of army versus army, the Philistines send out their champion, Goliath. This nine foot tall behemoth challenges the Israelites morning and night to send someone out to fight. They cower in fear for 40 days. It’s been a while so Jesse sends David to check on his brothers. David overhears Goliath and asks, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine….insulting the army of the living God?” David sees the battle from a different perspective right away. Soon he is facing Goliath with a staff, a sling, and five stones. David declares to Goliath that God will hand him over to David, adding, “Then the whole world will know that there is a God on Israel’s side.” David slays Goliath and the whole world knows.

When we take the same faith into our battles, trusting that the battle is God’s, not ours, then the world will see the power of God at work once again. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we can be tempted to think, “with just a sling and a stone.” But we forget the important detail. You see the heart. You guide the stone. David’s heart was filled with love for you and with trust in you. Make that our hearts too, O Lord. Fill us with a sure faith and a trusting love when the giants come our way. Lead us to walk forward in faith, knowing that you still move in our world. Amen.


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Stand as Hope

Reading: Isaiah 11:6-10

Verse 20: “The root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.”

We began this week with the first half of our Isaiah 11 reading. In that portion we read of how the root of Jesse – Jesus Christ – will be filled with wisdom, power, understanding, and a fear of God. We read that he will rule with justice, righteousness, and faithfulness. Today we conclude with a vision of what his reign of peace will be like.

Once in a while we catch glimpses of this kind of peace. We can see it when teenage siblings who always seem to be fighting in a moment become best friends, laughing and loving deeply. We can catch a glimpse at the end of a soccer match when one man suddenly realized the danger of going home, leading him to tears and anguish. In a moment an opponent embraces a competitor and offers words of encouragement and hope. We catch a glimpse when a small child extends a toy or offers a hug to another child who is having an emotionally hard time.

We see a vision of the time of glorious peace in our reading today. It will be a time when the wolf will lie with the lamb, when none will harm or destroy another. The glimpses we are blessed with will become the constant reality. “The root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.” It will indeed be a glorious day! The glimpses, the vision – these fill us with hope, allowing us to live with hope every day, even and especially in this broken world. May we too stand as a signal, shining hope out into the world.

Prayer: Lord God, what a beautiful vision Isaiah shares. It is a time and place that I long for. Even so, Lord, use me here and now. Fill me with the peace and hope found in Christ alone. Then use me to bring that peace and hope to others. Amen.