Isaiah 11: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 11 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

A righteous shoot will emerge from Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit (vv. 1-2). Yahweh’s Spirit will rest on this figure, providing wisdom and understanding.

Key verse

“A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.”
Isaiah 11:1 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 11:1–2 The Righteous Shoot from Jesse
Isaiah 11:3–4 Judgment with Righteousness
Isaiah 11:5–6 Peaceful Coexistence in Creation
Isaiah 11:7–8 Childlike Safety Among Predators
Isaiah 11:9–10 Knowledge of Yahweh Covers the Earth
Isaiah 11:11–12 Restoration of the Remnant
Isaiah 11:13–16 Unity and Authority Among Nations

Discussion questions

In v1, what does the 'shoot' from the stock of Jesse symbolize?
What qualities of the Spirit rest on the leader in v2?
The phrase 'with the rod of his mouth' in v4: what does this suggest about his authority?
In v10, what does it mean for the root of Jesse to be a 'banner of the peoples'?
When have you experienced a situation where 'the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh'?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 11: Isaiah 61, Ephesians 1, Ezekiel 34.

Before next time: read Isaiah 12.