June 24
Isaiah 8:1-11:16
When we read through prophecy quickly, most of us not knowing Hebrew, many unfamiliar with Biblical history, it is easy to miss much of the depth and precision behind the prophecies. We read in Isaiah 11:1, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out his roots”. This is the first sentence of a segment on the future Messiah, and though it alludes to His second coming as the conquering King, Messiah ben David, we read of His roots here. The “stem of Jesse” shows the Messiah will be from Bethlehem (elaborated more specifically by Isaiah’s contemporary in Micah 5:2). Realize that Bethlehem was tiny and insignificant in terms of population, etc. Next the Hebrew word for “Branch” is “Netser”, from which the term Nazarene is derived. Jesus was raised in this small insignificant town, so insignificant that Nathaniel (one of the twelve apostles) remarked on being introduced to Jesus in John 1:46, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” For those who reject Jesus as Messiah, consider the possibility of these two small cities being the birth place and where He was raised.
Next, consider the term Branch, which is used elsewhere in Messianic prophecies. We read in Jeremiah 23:5-6, “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A king shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” This Title for God is also called “Jehovah Tsidkenu”. This portion also clearly shows (as does Isaiah 9:6) that the Messiah is indeed God, dispelling those who claim that we worship multiple Gods. This Messianic term “Branch” is also used in Zechariah 6:12-13. In this portion it speaks of the Messiah setting up His temple in the Millennial Kingdom, but this portion of scripture will also stumble many who are not students of the entirety of scripture as we read in 6:12, “Behold, the Man whose name is Branch! From His place He shall branch out And He shall build the temple of the Lord;”. Again, this speaks of Jesus after the tribulation, but many will lift up the Antichrist who will build the temple in the first half of the tribulation, as read in the book of Revelation.
Realize 25% of Scripture is prophecy, yet many churches and pastors avoid prophecy. To ignore prophecy is no different than those in the Jewish faith who choose to ignore the New Testament, which also represents approximately 25% of Scripture. Prophecy is God’s fingerprint on the Bible. No other religious work contains fulfilled prophecy. To avoid that which affirms and distinguishes our book and our faith is ignorant. Embrace prophecy and you will put weight behind your faith. If God chose to take 25% of His Word in prophecy it should be sought after and embraced.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: