NOTES for Isa 11:1-10
Isaiah shows us two qualities of God: truth and mercy. Humanity, as is its habit in everything, always tries to settle on just one. Each person chooses what he likes best and refuses to acknowledge the other side. In God, however, incompatible things are held in balance. Truth testifies to God’s faithfulness to His promises—a faithfulness that extends to the literal fulfillment of prophecies, which a person, being limited in time and space, cannot always see. This is what strengthens our shield of faith, our faith in God. Mercy, meanwhile, gives us hope that if no prophecy was found concerning us, He will accept us even without it.