Nov. 29 (Day 1)

Read Isaiah 11:1-10

We all know what it’s like to be hurt by someone. Sometimes these hurts are small, like the disappointment that comes when someone runs late or gives a less than thoughtful gift at the holidays. Other times, a hurt is less of a disappointment and more of a wound, like when someone breaks your heart.

Some of the deepest wounds are inflicted when religious people let us down. This was true even back when Jesus lived on earth. The Scriptures tell us that the religious leaders were taking advantage of the poor, making a mockery of the temple, and even keeping people from worshipping God. A change was desperately needed, and the prophet Isaiah foresaw what the change would be (Isaiah 1-5).

Isaiah believed that God would overhaul the system and eventually bring a King who would gather His people together (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6). This king would come from the line of David and would grow out of the stump that was left of God’s judgment. This King would be a shoot or branch of new life for the people of God. He would be a worthy spiritual leader (11:2) who would fear God alone (11:3). He would properly lead the poor and downtrodden (11:4), bring peace in miraculous ways (11:6-8), and would be full of knowledge of the Lord (11:9) which could be described as wisdom. He would be a signal to the whole world that God was doing something new. Why would it be necessary to do something new? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

--How does Jesus fulfill this branch idea?

--What is your favorite attribute of the branch/shoot? (look at verses 2-9 for ideas!)

--How amazing would it be for someone to “fix all the problems?”