Introduction to Isaiah 11

Structure and Formatting

Many of the books in the Bible that are collections of prophetic oracles follow a certain pattern. They first present oracles of judgment against God’s people, then oracles of judgment against other nations, and then oracles that promise restoration to God’s people. The oracles in Part One of the book of Isaiah (chapters 1–12) follow this pattern: 1. Oracles of judgment against the Judeans (chapters 1–9) 2. An oracle of judgment against the Assyrians (chapter 10) 3. Oracles of restoration for the Judeans (chapters 11–12)(There is also a hopeful oracle within the central section of narratives about Isaiah, in 8:19–9:7)The oracle in chapter 11 has two parts: 1. A descendant of Jesse will become a godly king (1–10) 2. Yahweh will regather his scattered people into a united, powerful nation (11–16)