Jesse Tree Symbol #16: Isaiah’s promise of peace

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Tuesday, December 15th
Jesse Tree Symbol #16: Isaiah’s promise of peace (a lion with a lamb)
Isaiah 2:4; 7:14; 9: 6 -7; 11:6-10

*most of the following summary is from Jeffrey Kranz’ Overview Bible Project*

The scene:
King David's years of triumphant rule have long passed. Civil war has slashed the nation of Israel into two: Israel in the North and Judah in the South.  In the days of Isaiah, these nations had fought each other and the surrounding country for a few hundred years, but neither kingdom would stand through the storms to come.

The Assyrians were rising in power, and the Babylonians would soon overthrow them. And the people hadn’t remained faithful to God, so their security as a nation would not last. The North would fall soon. The South will fall later.  God raises up the prophet Isaiah to tell the people this message.

But by God’s grace, the message doesn’t end there.

Yes, the Assyrians will conquer the North and the South into exile in Babylon, but God will also bring Israel back home. Isaiah promises that--one day--God will also rule Israel as Immanuel: God with us. God will judge Israel’s enemies and bring all the nations to God—back to peace.

That’s Isaiah’s message:
God’s judgment is coming, but so is God’s comfort.

In the midst of war and violence, Isaiah preaches that peace is coming.


No other prophet is referenced in the New Testament as much as Isaiah. Isaiah preaches of the coming King who will rule Israel and the nations in justice and peace (the kind of peace where lions will lie with lambs and all of creation is in harmony). He also looks forward to a special Servant of God: one who will fulfill all Israel’s duties and bear their sins.

Here are just a couple verses from Isaiah that have been re-interpreted through the Gospel of  Jesus:
· “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (Is 7:14). (see Mt 1:22–23).
· “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
· “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (Is 53:6).


(start at 1:30 for the song--or listen to her introduction at the beginning)

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Kids Corner

 Read the scripture together:  Isaiah 11: 6-10

Discussion: What is Peace?  How does God bring Peace into our lives and how can we bring it to others?  What did Jesus teach us about Peace?

Activity: Lion and lamb craft http://ministry-to-children.com/lion-lamb-paper-plate-craft/ 

Prayer : Dear God, we pray for Peace in this world. Amen



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