The Branch of the Lord
“In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped.” Isaiah 4:2
This “Branch of the Lord” is Jesus Christ: Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12.
The prophet Isaiah penned this some 750 years before the birth of the Lord! This prophecy was written to encourage the Jewish people as well as the church today.
History has a way of repeating itself, then and now.
When Christ came the Jewish people were experiencing the lowest of times. Just a hundred or so years before, their temple was desecrated, their priests killed, and many of their cities laid waste. Following this the Egyptians fought against the Syrians (the Ptolemaic-Seleucian wars) in their land and then the Romans came.
The Romans iron rule and priesthood politics left the common people’s heart rank with fear, poverty, and depression.
Following this time of cold and bleak winter sprang up a beautiful and glorious Branch of the Lord. The hearts of people were warmed as… “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings…” Malachi 4:2God has a way of taking the worst of our situations and demonstrating his power and glory, his majesty and his grace and mercy. When all seems lost and dark and cold God produces life, life in us. Our hurt and pain, failure and shame, removes any doubt of our own dependency. Our dependency is on our Lord, Jesus Christ.
For untold numbers of Christian people living today, this is the case. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ live under strict rule, harsh imprisonment, and monstrous governments. We in America are the exception, not the rule.
Yet, wonderfully, these oppressed people are coming to know the Lord in ones and twos and thousands. Around the world God is reaping a great harvest and in their lives great fruit.
God is reaping a great fruit from our lives as well. We may live in America, we may have great comforts, and enjoy many of the pastimes of our nation but on the same note there are simply some lines we won’t cross. There are some attractions that we by-pass simply because we see through the phoniness, the sham, and the wickedness. Our hearts are continually changing, our motives, and the fruit in our lives ever maturing… all to bring glory and honor to the Branch of the Lord!
This “Branch of the Lord” is Jesus Christ: Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12.
The prophet Isaiah penned this some 750 years before the birth of the Lord! This prophecy was written to encourage the Jewish people as well as the church today.
History has a way of repeating itself, then and now.
When Christ came the Jewish people were experiencing the lowest of times. Just a hundred or so years before, their temple was desecrated, their priests killed, and many of their cities laid waste. Following this the Egyptians fought against the Syrians (the Ptolemaic-Seleucian wars) in their land and then the Romans came.
The Romans iron rule and priesthood politics left the common people’s heart rank with fear, poverty, and depression.
Following this time of cold and bleak winter sprang up a beautiful and glorious Branch of the Lord. The hearts of people were warmed as… “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings…” Malachi 4:2God has a way of taking the worst of our situations and demonstrating his power and glory, his majesty and his grace and mercy. When all seems lost and dark and cold God produces life, life in us. Our hurt and pain, failure and shame, removes any doubt of our own dependency. Our dependency is on our Lord, Jesus Christ.
For untold numbers of Christian people living today, this is the case. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ live under strict rule, harsh imprisonment, and monstrous governments. We in America are the exception, not the rule.
Yet, wonderfully, these oppressed people are coming to know the Lord in ones and twos and thousands. Around the world God is reaping a great harvest and in their lives great fruit.
God is reaping a great fruit from our lives as well. We may live in America, we may have great comforts, and enjoy many of the pastimes of our nation but on the same note there are simply some lines we won’t cross. There are some attractions that we by-pass simply because we see through the phoniness, the sham, and the wickedness. Our hearts are continually changing, our motives, and the fruit in our lives ever maturing… all to bring glory and honor to the Branch of the Lord!
posted by Michael Byrd at 7:27 PM
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