The pericope I have chosen for this reflection paper is Isaiah 11:1-9. The preceding literature unit in this pericope focuses on how God uses Assyria for his redemptive purpose. In Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah explains Assyria's role in God's plan. Assyria is the rod of God's wrath. He uses it to punish Israel and Judah because they are two ungodly nations but full of idols (Isaiah 10:6,11). After the wrath of God is poured out on two countries, the heart of Assyria becomes boastful. God turns his wrath on his rod and punishes Assyria. In Isaiah 10:12-19, Assyria is depicted as a mighty forest and God's judgment is depicted as an ax that will swing and cut down that mighty forest. Assyria will be destroyed and reduced to a very few that a child can count (Isaiah 10:19). After the section on the destruction of Assyria, the text turns to proclaiming the return of the remnant of Israel. The focal point of the text zooms out in the last verse of Isaiah chapter 10 to reveal the final scene in which the remnant of Israel will return to their land while in the background Assyria is destroyed. The once mighty forest no longer exists. After God gives up Assyria as a staff at the end of Isaiah chapter 10, at the beginning of Isaiah chapter 11, God will cause a shoot to sprout from Jesse's stump (Isaiah 11:1). This sprout from Jesse's stump is personified as Him and this Person is endowed with the Spirit of the Lord in Isaiah 11:2. He will bring justice to all. His reign will be characterized by justice and faithfulness (Isaiah 11:3-5). This reign of justice and faithfulness results in many profound impacts and drastic changes throughout all creation. Hostilities between predators and prey, b...... middle of paper ......ath had shown its full power at the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The resurrection of Jesus Christ presented the power of the Holy Spirit that would transform and bring forth new life from the dead body, dead spirit, and dead spirit of man. This theme, God will bring new life out of death, will end at the second coming of Jesus Christ. For all who are faithful until death will be resurrected with the new heavenly and imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). Death is no longer the absolute end of human life. Rather, death is a necessary condition for entering into a new life with Jesus Christ when He returns to this earth for the second time. At the second coming of Jesus Christ, all who are faithful unto death will be resurrected. They will live forever in the glory of God and worship him for eternity (Revelation 7:9-17).