And again, Isaiah says: "There will be a Root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope."
Truth to Learn
Every Christian’s hope is a result of the resurrection of Christ.
Behind the Words
“Root” is from the Greek noun rhiza (from which we get our English horticultural term rhizome), meaning “a root or an offshoot growing up from the root.” When a rhizome is planted in the ground, it produces new life in the form of the shoots that rise up from the life-giving rhizome.
The word “rise” is translated from anistēmi, which is a compound word made up of ana, meaning “again” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Hence, anistēmi literally means “to stand again.”
“Reign” is translated from archō, meaning “to be first in rank or political position.”
Meaning Explained
Paul uses yet another reference from the Old Testament to make his point about Gentile praises. This one is from the prophet Isaiah,
And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who stands as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
As mentioned above, rhiza can refer to a root or to its offspring. In this case it refers to the offspring of Jesse. If you read through I Samuel 16, you will see that Jesse was the father of King David. So the root of Jesse is a reference to the offspring of David. In the book of the Revelation the Lord Jesus Christ is twice referred to as “the root of David.”
And one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome to open the scroll and its seven seals." (Revelation 5:5)
"I, Jesus, sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16)
So Paul’s quotation here of Isaiah 11:10 is a proclamation that Jesus Christ shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, and in Him shall the Gentiles hope and expect salvation.
One final point: notice in Paul’s quote of Isaiah he said that the root of Jesse “will rise to reign.” Isaiah did not say “rise” by accident. If Christ had not risen from the dead, then He would not be able to reign over the nations. But because He did rise, He is become King of kings and Lord of lords. It is because of the resurrection that we have expectant hope, and it is because of the resurrection that we should continually be praising God.
Application
Jesus was “planted” in death and “rose again” with new life so that our sins might be forgiven and we might share in His new life. This is an incredible truth that we should proclaim daily to those around us who are still lost in their sins. When was the last time you shared this blessed truth with someone?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved
