a root and a branch

Isaiah 11:1 & 10
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
Who shall stand as a banner to the people;
For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Isaiah 11 is packed with beautiful imagery of the Messiah and His eternal kingdom: the lion and the lamb lay down together, a child will lead them, perfect peace. The imagery that strikes me most however is what describes the Messianic King himself. Isaiah describes Him as both a rod and branch from the stem or stump of Jesse as well as the root of Jesse.
We know Jesse is the father of David whose kingdom was promised to last forever ((Isa 9:7). So this Messiah King would not simply be a descendant of David (a branch) but also his ancestor or root: a human descendant of David as well as a divine and eternal ancestor.
Again and again God affirms through the prophets the beautiful identify of Messiah and unveils His identity so that Israel might not miss Him when He comes. And yet, it was the Gentiles who would recognize this and seek Him. What mercy! God extends his branch over the Jew and the Gentile as well. And Israel is not lost (Isa 11:11) but included in the great plan of redemption as they play the part of branches extending this mercy and grace out to cover the whole world.

There is nothing more beautiful and so profound as the person of Jesus Christ who
"is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20).

AMEN