Failed Kings and Future Hope: Advent Lesson from Isaiah 11
What makes this section of Isaiah profound is that Ahaz’s example as the worst possible king is followed by 5 chapters of God promising the best possible king and kingdom--it is here we find our particular passage. When the nation of Israel (and all its promises) are felled like a great tree due to its own sins and the sins of its king, God promises resurrection for the broken and burnt stump through a shoot of new growth. An impossible reality, but one God intended to ultimately bring about through the life and ministry of Jesus.
Historical Context for Isaiah
The year is around 732 B.C, and the unity that would have once described the 12 tribes of Israel is a long distant memory. In response to the impending doom that was the Assyrian war machine, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had formed an alliance with Syria and menacingly came to stand upon the doorstep of King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz is met with a hopeless situation; Israel and Syria have threatened to kill him if he chooses not to join their anti-Assyrian alliance. But even if he joins with them, the chances of resisting the overwhelming might of Assyria are bleak at best. Ahaz is a practical king, and so in the face of 3 hostile nations and overwhelming military strength, prophets and prayers hold little sway over his heart. And so Ahaz chooses what is wise in the eyes of the world, but unthinkable in the eyes of God--he seeks salvation through bowing the knee to Assyria’s King.
The prophet Isaiah’s response to Ahaz’s faithlessness comes in chs. 8-12, often known as “the book of Immanuel” (perhaps a familiar title during this season of Advent!). What makes this section of Isaiah profound is that Ahaz’s example as the worst possible king is followed by 5 chapters of God promising the best possible king and kingdom--it is here we find our particular passage. When the nation of Israel (and all its promises) are felled like a great tree due to its own sins and the sins of its king, God promises resurrection for the broken and burnt stump through a shoot of new growth. An impossible reality, but one God intended to ultimately bring about through the life and ministry of Jesus.
The Meaning of Isaiah 11:1-5
The images presented in Isaiah 11 may initially seem foreign and out of place when thinking about Advent--shoot, stump of Jesse, branch, etc.--but looking back at Israel’s story we can see a number of pivotal moments that set us up to understand the full weight of Isaiah’s words. It started in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve were exiled from Eden with the promise of an “offspring” [literally seed] who would come and crush the head of the deceitful serpent; Gen. 15 where God made a promise to establish Abram’s “offspring” [seed]; and 2 Samuel 7, where God made a covenant with David, promising to establish an everlasting kingdom for David’s “offspring” [seed].
Advent: The Coming Immanuel
Having the benefit of the New Testament, we can see more clearly the hope that Isaiah’s message offered: It is no accident that one of the favorite titles of Jesus that the Gospel writers would use was “Son [offspring] of David” (Matt. 1:1). And when Paul spoke of Jesus as the “offspring [seed] of Abraham” (Gal. 3:16), we can think back upon this promise in Isaiah. Up to this point in the book of Isaiah, Israel had only experienced kings who traded justice and faithfulness for idolatry and oppression. But God had a plan to provide a different kind of king, and this promise went all the way back to the seed that was first promised. This offspring of David, this King, would wear “righteousness” and “faithfulness” as a belt and bring justice to the poor and suffering. He would walk in the way of God's Spirit and offer true salvation. This king would be Jesus.
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What does Micah 6:8 mean?
What does Micah 6:8 mean? What was once an unrecognized verse from one of the more obscure books of the Minor Prophets has experienced a “glow up” of sorts in recent months. As Christ-followers attempt to navigate the socio-political climate of 2020, Micah 6:8 has become somewhat of a “filter” through which they engage with life in a way that is seeking after faithfulness.
Living out Justice, Kindness, and Humility in 2020.
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
-Micah 6:8 (NASB)
What was once an unrecognized verse from one of the more obscure books of the Minor Prophets has experienced a “glow up” of sorts in recent months. As Christ-followers attempt to navigate the socio-political climate of 2020, Micah 6:8 has become somewhat of a “filter” through which they engage with life in a way that is seeking after faithfulness.
Who was Micah?
Micah the man was likely just a regular guy living in the suburbs outside of one of the larger cities in the nation of Judah. His ministry was long, spanning over 60 years. In essence, Micah had “seen some things.” There had been a time of great prosperity that was immediately followed by a steep decline in the social and economic well-being of the people. The disparities in the life of the “upper class” and the “common person” were vast and the prospects for those without power were bleak. There was internal political pressure from corrupt kings, untrustworthy spiritual leadership, and external political pressures from nations that wanted to invade and take advantage of the people. Sound familiar? Keep in mind this was happening in the 700s BCE. Christ-followers shouldn’t ever be concerned that the Bible is antiquated and irrelevant, especially the Old Testament!
With that in mind, let’s take a moment to examine what these words meant to Micah and the culture into which they were written.
“Do Justice”: מִשְׁפָּט mishpat: to do no unrighteousness in judgment, that which is just, lawful and according to the law
To “do justice” is an action. It is not just an acknowledgment that things are not as they should be, not an observation that gets lip service. It isn’t simply knowing the difference between right and wrong. It means living out life in a way that is always moving toward that which is just. This means both in the domains Christ-followers find themselves interacting (work, school, educational institutions, churches, etc) and in their lives. To “do justice” is to set one’s heart on that which is just and consistently be moving in that direction. To “do justice” is to love your neighbor as yourself.
“Love Kindness”: חֶסֶד checed: zeal toward anyone, benevolence among men, mercy and pity to those with misfortunes
To “love kindness” is an action. It isn’t so simple as to mean that one is perceived as a “kind person.” It doesn’t even mean taking action that is a “kind thing to do.” It means that kindness motivates you to act and act zealously! The definition of “zeal” is: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. To “love kindness” means to pursue others in a way that shows them that your heart is for them on a personal, human level. To “love kindness” is to love your neighbor.
“Walk Humbly With Your God” : צָנַע tsana: to act submissively, modestly
To “walk humbly with your God” is an action. The root word here is related to “lowly.” This is living from a posture that doesn’t just have an inward impact, but also an outward one. A Christ follower’s “walk” (meaning your day to day faith life) is guided by the one to which that life is submitted. It means living a life submitted to God and allowing him to guide your path in a posture of modesty and humility. To “walk humbly with your God” is loving him with all your heart, soul, and strength.
In light of all this, Micah asks us to consider: “What are we supposed to do?”
Pastor Mike Ashcraft of Port City Church in Wilmington, NC is fond of saying, “If God created life, then he gets to define it.” It’s absolutely true. In Micah 6:8, there exists a list of requirements that God desires for those walking in his ways to define themselves. As lovers of justice, bearers of kindness, living in and walking closely beside him. It is an embodiment of what Jesus defines as the greatest commands.
The answer is practical, daily action. In the year 2020, it can feel like nothing an individual can do will help or change the circumstances that are the day to day reality. However, Micah provides somewhat of a “checklist.” Do justice, love kindness, and submit to walking not in our own ways, but in the ways of Jesus, the Christ, the Lord, and the Savior to all who profess faith in Him.
Looking for more on the book of Micah? Check out this video that summarizes the main ideas and themes of the book by the Bible Project. Wanting even more? Register for our School of Biblical Studies, where you get to study every book of the Bible in its historical setting.
