The Kingdom of our Lord

December 19, 2010

Lesson: Isaiah 11:1—9

Key Verse: Isaiah 11:5

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Introduction

Boaz took Ruth as his wife and she bore him a son. The women of the town said to Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel” (Ruth 4:14). They called his name Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David. Boaz became Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer. He purchased or ransomed back her inheritance. Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He has ransomed our souls and given us an inheritance. Christ speaks of himself, saying, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Therefore we are to give thanks to our Father in heaven who “hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:12–14).

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The Righteous King—Isaiah 11:1–5

From the royal family of Jesse and of the house of David there has come, according to promise, “a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” The Lord gathers his remnant, and he has raised “unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 23:5–6). Though Assyria would be a rod, or tool of God’s indignation (Isa. 10:5), He would raise a rod of his own, His Son, “The Lord our Righteousness.” Though God would cut down Israel for their sins, he would raise up a Righteous Branch for their redemption.

His judgment is righteous when he states that “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Is. 59:2). However, His hand is not shortened, “that it cannot save” (59:1), for “the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord” (59:20). When we look upon Christ as he is revealed, we will testify with David, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psa. 17:15). Righteousness declares the honesty, justice, and integrity of Christ. He is able to save because he is able to carry out the will of God for the redemption of his people. He is able to fulfill the moral character of God’s people in their stead. He is able to obey the moral law for us.

Christ is the Divine King. He is of the Father and of the Spirit, the second person in the Godhead. Thus it is recorded that the “Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him.” He is the Divine Messiah in who is the “Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Therefore his delight (quick understanding) will be in the fear of the Lord. The Christ will receive strength, authority, knowledge, and understanding. For he will take upon himself our flesh, and by the Spirit “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt upon us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Christ, divine in nature, truly man as well, shall with righteousness “judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Christ reigns, clothed in righteousness, truth, and faithfulness. Christ calls to himself those who are poor in spirit that they may see God, the meek that they may have a glorious inheritance.

Discussion: What are some of the characteristics of Christ our King?

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The Righteous Kingdom—Isaiah 11:6–9

The Lord gathers together his people into a righteous kingdom. The character of Christ’s Kingdom is revealed in that the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the goat, the calf, and young lion will graze together. This peaceful fellowship is complimented by the picture of a child leading them. Disorder and cruelty shall be absent from the Kingdom of our Savior. The world shall be reconciled to God and to one another. This is both the peculiarity and the promulgation of the Kingdom that we bear and broadcast the reconciling work of Christ our King. For “all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18–19).

Out of corruption will come righteousness; out of disorder will come order. The peace that passes all our understanding is seen in the picture of a child leading the wild beasts, or playing in the nest of the wildest snake without fear. When we are in a state of peace or favor with God, then we are being made after the image of Christ, worthy of living in his Kingdom. This state of acceptance begins here and is perfected in the new heavens and earth. It is a peace brought about by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Christ gives us this new reconciliation with the Father, saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus promises his disciples strength and victory in a world of sin and hopelessness. Speaking about his teachings about himself, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The nature of our Lord’s Kingdom is seen in our new life. For we “shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.” We are no longer servants of our transgressions, but servants of Christ’s righteousness. The moral law of God is written upon our souls, not the immoral codes of men. We either obey that sin which is “unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Rom. 6:16). We must thank God, that being once servants of sin, we now “obey from the heart that forms of doctrine which was delivered (to us). Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (16:17–18).

We pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We look for the earth to be full of His goodness; “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Calvin speaks of those who are of God’s holy mountain, that those who “follow righteousness have a settled residence in the temple of God, that they may dwell there for ever. It is, therefore, a distinguishing mark of the genuine congregations of Christ, that they are free from all desire of doing injury to others. Hence, also, we infer, that it is a remarkable gift of the Spirit of Christ, that men abstain from being evil-doers; for by nature, ambition, pride, cruelty, and avarice, always prompt them freely and voluntarily to commit acts of injustice.”

This nature of Christ’s Kingdom should be revealed through his Church today. He has said we are not to be afraid. We are to reveal righteousness, truth, and justice in our relationship with our Lord, and with one another. Thus, we become light and salt on this earth. Our gospel preaching centers upon the righteousness of Christ, who gave his life that we might have life.

Discussion: What does it mean to call God’s Kingdom a righteous Kingdom?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.