Leading From Beneath the Surface

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.

Isaiah 11:3-4

Isaiah 11 envisions the coming of a special ruler for Israel. He will be a “shoot” from “the stump of Jesse,” meaning that he will be a descendant of King David (11:1). This ruler will be endowed with God’s own Spirit, who will supply wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge (11:2). Because of his divine endowment, this king will not judge in the way of other sovereigns. He will go deeper than what can be seen or heard. As Isaiah puts it, “[W]ith righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth” (11:3-4). In the day of this messianic ruler, peace will prevail along with God’s justice: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat” (11:6). Indeed, “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (11:9).

From the earliest days, followers of Jesus have seen in Isaiah 11 a prophecy concerning Jesus the Messiah. He is the one who sees beyond what is obvious, who can peer into the hearts of people. He is the ruler who brings God’s justice and righteousness. Under his reign, the earth will experience the all-embracing peace of God.

As I reflect on this passage from Isaiah, it moves me to honor Jesus Christ as God’s unique ruler. But it also stirs in me a desire to become more like Jesus in my own leadership. I want to be one whose judgment goes beneath the surface. I want to see more than what is apparent to my eyes, to hear more than I can hear with my ears. I want to exercise leadership based on God’s righteousness, God’s right order for all relationships. I want to make decisions according to God’s justice.

How will this happen? How can we become leaders who embody Isaiah’s messianic vision? Knowing our limitations, we realize that this will be possible only with God’s help. As we study and meditate upon Scripture, we will come to think as God thinks. Through our fellowship with God’s people, we will be sharpened, even as iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17). And, as we attend to the Spirit of God who dwells within us, we will be guided by God’s own wisdom and knowledge. In time, God will form us to be more like him, with our heart conformed to his heart.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

Can you think of a time in your life when the Spirit of God was especially clear in guiding your decision-making?

What helps you to become more like Christ in your thinking, feeling, and doing?

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for Isaiah’s vision of the messianic rule. Not only does this vision help us to know Christ better, but also it gives us a yearning to be more like him.

Help us, Lord, to exercise leadership by your wisdom. Fill us anew with your Spirit so that we might be guided by you. Form our hearts and lives so that our leadership – no matter the context – reflects your righteousness and justice. Amen.

Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online commentary: Reverse Mentoring