Isaiah 11

In that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious. Wesley: a branch on the root; an ensign all nations may discern and resort to; rest—his temple or church; glory greater than the tabernacle, yet spiritual: gifts and graces of the Spirit.

Shared christology—the shoot of 11:1 is now a banner. They still inquire.

Calvin: Gentiles who formerly abhorred the Jews will bow. Banner stretched aloft: fulfilled by preaching the gospel, more illustrious than if He had soared above the clouds. As Moses lifted the serpent (John 3:14). Sought: men flee to Him for salvation. Rest: the Church (Ps 132:14), once exposed to disgrace, raised again. God is pleased to dwell in His Church though this may not always be seen.

The same root, the same gospel banner. Both traditions agree: that day, root of Jesse, signal for the peoples, nations inquire, resting place glorious.

In that day that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. Wesley: the first is Babylon; this second is in the days of the Messiah. Recover from all places the ten tribes or the two were carried. Pathros a province of Egypt.

Names first—Assyria, Egypt, the coastlands—then Messiah’s day. The remnant of 10:20–22 still being gathered.

Calvin: God will display the power of His hand as for an uncommon exploit. Second time: as He delivered from Egypt. Cannot be Babylon only: they were not then brought back from Egypt, Ethiopia, and the rest. These words refer to the kingdom of Christ through the preaching of the gospel. Remnant: this deliverance belonged only to a small seed. The work belongs to God, not to men. From past benefits, hope for the future.

“Second”—the gospel hand, a remnant. On this both agree: that day, hand, second time, recover, remnant, Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, coastlands.

He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Wesley: all nations, Jews and Gentiles; outcasts driven into foreign parts; Israel—the ten tribes.

The banner is raised for the nations, and the outcasts of Israel and Judah are gathered to it. Arminian readers stress that the signal is lifted for all to see and respond to—Jews and Gentiles alike.

Calvin: the former verse explained. Two readings of the ensign: terrify adversaries, or call the exiles. Among us the banner is the gospel, by which Christ is preached. We cannot be gathered unless we assemble to this ensign and be joined to Him by faith. My sheep hear my voice and follow me (John 10:27). The calling is efficacious: as soon as He indicates, He will restore. Dispersion: Moses promised He would gather from the four winds (Deut 30:3–4). Done under Christ. No hope of gathering the remnant but by looking to this ensign.

“Assemble”—only those who come to the banner, the sheep who hear. Signal for the nations, banished of Israel, dispersed of Judah, four corners of the earth.

The envy also of Ephraim will depart, and those who persecute Judah will be cut off. Ephraim won’t envy Judah, and Judah won’t persecute Ephraim. Wesley: the ten tribes; of enemies they shall be made friends. Adversaries—not the body of Ephraim, who are reconciled, but those few who continue in enmity, with the rest of their foes.

North and south, then friends under the signal. They still stop harassing.

Calvin: inward peace: Israelites and Jews no longer in civil broils. Envy the source of the strife, Judah and Ephraim contending for renown. Outward and inward peace. Objected that wars followed the gospel: he includes the whole of Christ’s kingdom, not a single age. We taste the beginning; He still defends. This belongs to the true children of Abraham, purified by the cross, who cease to desire renown.

The house stops devouring itself (9:21). Common ground: jealousy of Ephraim, harass Judah, cut off, not jealous, not harass.

They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them. Wesley: metaphor from birds of prey. Spoil—the spiritual victory the Messiah obtains by His apostles and ministers over all nations.

Neighbors named, then the apostles’ victory. Wesley already reads it as the word going out.

Calvin: another way He assists: He conquers their enemies. Philistines, Ammon, Moab, Edom—continual molestors. The Church, though not without enemies, is victorious in the end. Jews who dream of an earthly kingdom of Christ interpret this carnally; judge it according to the nature of Christ’s kingdom. Partly seen at the return from captivity; a more splendid victory through the gospel. We vanquish when restored to liberty by Christ, lusts laid low, patience possessing the soul (Luke 21:19).

The same spiritual victory. Philistines, west, people of the east, Edom, Moab, Ammonites.

The LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his scorching wind he will wave his hand over the River, and will split it into seven streams, and cause men to march over in sandals. Wesley: not only divide as of old, but dry it for a highway. The sea—the Red Sea, the Egyptian sea. The river—Nile, famous for seven streams.

The drying of the sea recalls the Exodus a second time. He still dries what blocks the remnant.

Calvin: by amazing power He opens a way that appeared shut. Tongue: a bay of the sea. The river: the Nile. Wind of the Lord: not chance; He directs the force. Seven streams: the Nile’s mouths. In shoes: so dry they need not pull them off. Nothing will stand in God’s way when He pleases to rescue. He glances at the former deliverance, that they may learn it will be the same.

“Sandals”—the very God who split the sea. Held in common: tongue of the Sea of Egypt, River, seven channels, across in sandals. He will do it.

There will be a highway for the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, like there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Wesley: all impediments removed; a way for God’s Israel from all parts of the world. Assyria named because the ten tribes were carried there, the most desperate case.

“Highway”—Assyria first, then the remnant’s road. Same remnant as 10:21. Not a modern-nation chart. The signal of v. 10 is why the road exists.

Calvin: explains v. 15. The same power as from Egypt: through seas, deserts, Jordan. What the Lord has once performed, let us expect. Direct thoughts to the final deliverance of the Church: though resurrection appear incredible, the Lord will easily find a way.

The highway follows the pattern of the Exodus and finds its completion in Christ. Highway, Assyria, remnant, as when Israel came up from Egypt.