In this sermon, Stephen emphasizes that God's ultimate reaction to the world and its circumstances is through His Son, Jesus Christ. He explains that God's response is not merely an action but is embodied in a person—Christ—who is the fulfillment of prophecy from Isaiah 11. The passage describes the Messiah as coming from the lineage of Jesse, symbolizing humility and humanity, yet filled with the Spirit of Jehovah. Stephen highlights the sevenfold Spirit resting upon Jesus—wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of Jehovah—demonstrating His divine fullness and perfect character. He stresses that Jesus does not judge by outward appearances but by a spiritual discernment, symbolized as a subtle scent or smell, which signifies His deep knowledge and reverence for the Father. This spiritual discernment enables Christ to judge righteously, especially the poor and meek, with righteousness and faithfulness. Stephen also discusses the principle that God's judgment often appears paradoxical—permitting the wicked to prosper temporarily to fulfill His divine purposes—yet ultimately, His justice will prevail. The sermon concludes with a vision of the future kingdom, where creation is restored, animals live in peace, and the earth is filled with the knowledge of Jehovah, all brought about through Christ’s divine reaction and judgment. This underscores the importance of knowing Christ and allowing Him to judge and transform our lives.
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.