7. An ideal ruler is envisaged (11:1-16)

The previous section, concluding as it does with a reference to a razed forest, gives rise to Isaiah’s image of hope: a branch growing out of a stump. The remnant is as a stump, all that is left of the great “forest” of Israel. And from that stump will grow a branch that will bear fruit.

The reference “stump of Jesse” is an avoidance of the phrase “house of David” and is therefore to be seen as a slap at the current ruler of the royal house of David. His fall from God’s intention has become so great that the prophet refrains from mentioning him. As David was taken from the house of Jesse to usher in a period of greatness in Israel’s history, so a second David will spring forth. Just as God’s Spirit was upon David, so will his Spirit rest upon this second David (1Sa 16:13; 2Sa 23:2-3).

In dramatic contrast to the injustices and corruption that characterized the administration of so many of David’s successors, the future ruler, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, will rule with righteousness and justice (vv.4-5), thus ushering in an age of Shalom (vv.6-9) and a return of God’s people from exile (vv.10-16).