The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / THE BRANCH

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 189 of 365 THE BRANCH The image of the branch in this passage is used to represent both Judah and the coming Messiah. The word branch is derived from the Hebrew verb meaning "to sprout up" or "to come from death to life." In a literal sense, Isaiah is describing the prosperity and blessing that the people of Judah will one day experience following God's judgment for their unfaithfulness as described in Isaiah 3:1 - 4:1. However, the other important aspect of this section is the Messianic references that it contains. This is the first reference to the Messiah as the "Branch" of the Lord, yet there are several other mentions throughout Scripture (Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8). The branch is an image for life and prosperity, and these verses point to the blessing that Jesus would one day bring to God's people. His blessing would allow fallen sinners to once again have fellowship and peace with God. This prophecy gives hope to the Israelites that the coming Messiah will bring life to the otherwise dying religion and law under which they were living. Jesus is not only the giver of life; he is life itself. Jesus, thank you for reconnecting me to God the Father. Help me to cling to you, knowing that all life is found in you and you alone. Amen. Isaiah 4:2 NASB 2 In that day the Branch of the L ord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. Isaiah 11:1 NASB 1 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. Jeremiah 23:5 NASB 5 "Behold, the days are coming," declares the L ord , "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. Zechariah 3:8 NASB 8 Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you-indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.