The picture given is of a tree which has been cut down, leaving only a dead stump. Then, a single shoot comes up that eventually becomes a tree in its own right. It is interesting that this particular messianic prophecy does not use the name of David but uses the name of David’s father, Jesse. David is normally associated with kingship and wealth. However, it should not be forgotten that in his youth, while still living in his father’s house, David was a poor shepherd boy. It wasn’t until when David became king that the house of Jesse was raised from poverty in Bethlehem to honour and majesty in Jerusalem. Isaiah 11:1 emphasises that although the Messiah would be a descendant of King David, He would not appear until the royal House of David has once again been reduced to what it was in the days of Jesse. This verse focuses on the lowly origin of the Messiah at the time of His birth.
The fulfilment of this prophecy is evident when Jesus was presented at the Temple, and the family could only afford to sacrifice “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22-24). The Law of Moses allowed the offering of two birds only if one could not afford anything better (Leviticus 12:8). This reveals the economic status of Joseph and Mary, both members of the House of David: on an economic scale, they were very poor.
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