Isaiah 11:6 is a well-known messianic prophecy about the future reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It reads: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” This verse paints a beautiful picture of harmony and peace in the animal kingdom under the rule of the Messiah. But what does it mean that “a little child shall lead them”? Let’s explore a few key points:
1. It signifies the gentle, peaceful reign of the Messiah
The mention of a little child leading fierce animals like wolves and lions is a striking image. It signifies that the Messiah’s rule will not be characterized by force or violence, but rather by gentleness, meekness and peace. Just as a little child leads without forcing others, the Messiah will gently shepherd people without coercion. His reign will transform even predatory natures, creating harmony between natural enemies.
2. It represents the humble coming of the Messiah
The prophecy envisions the great Messiah being represented by a lowly little child. This signifies the humble manner of Jesus’ coming. He was born in a manger, to a poor family, in humble circumstances. His life and ministry were marked by meekness and humility. So his ultimate reign as the glorified King is compared to a little child – not coming with pomp and grandeur, but in lowliness.
3. It symbolizes new spiritual birth
Children also represent new life and rebirth. So the image depicts people being made spiritually new under the Messiah’s reign. It will be a rebirth and renewal of their nature. Just as a child begins a new phase of life, the Messiah’s rule ushers in a new age for humankind. Paul expands on this in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
4. It points to the prominent place of the lowly under the Messiah
That a little child leads also means the lowly and powerless of society will hold prominent places under the Messiah’s reign. Jesus affirmed this often in His ministry, promising the meek, gentle, and outcast would be first in His Kingdom. Children held a special place in Christ’s ministry as models of faith and humility.
5. It contrasts with worldly notions of leadership and greatness
In the world’s eyes, greatness is asserted through power, riches, status, and force. But God’s Kingdom operates by different principles. Leading through a little child represents the paradoxical greatness found in humility, meekness, and lowliness. Jesus exemplified this different model of leadership.
So in summary, Isaiah’s prophecy uses the metaphor of a little child leading to paint a beautiful vision of the qualities of the Messiah’s reign. It will bring harmony and peace between natural enemies. It will be characterized by humility rather than force. The lowly will be exalted and the meek shall inherit the earth. What a glorious and hope-filled passage!
Relevant Bible Passages
Here are some other Bible passages that provide insight into Isaiah’s prophecy and the qualities of the Messiah’s reign:
- Isaiah 9:6-7 – A child is born who will reign on David’s throne forever in peace.
- Isaiah 42:1-4 – God’s chosen servant will bring justice gently.
- Isaiah 53:2 – The suffering servant grows up before God like a tender plant.
- Zechariah 9:9 – The King comes to Jerusalem gentle and riding on a donkey.
- Matthew 18:1-5 – Those who humble themselves like children are greatest in the kingdom.
- Matthew 21:5 – Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy.
- Mark 10:14-16 – Jesus blesses the children and says to receive the kingdom like a child.
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – God uses the lowly and despised of the world.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 – Jesus gave up his riches and became poor for us.
Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 11 gives an incredible glimpse into the future reign of the Messiah. Both Isaiah and the New Testament authors reinforce that He will rule in humility, meekness and love – leading gently like a little child. What an awe-inspiring picture of God’s Kingdom!
The Character of the Messiah’s Reign
Isaiah 11 goes on to describe more characteristics of the Messiah’s reign. Let’s look at some highlights:
Righteousness and Faithfulness
“He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:3-4 ESV). His reign will be righteous and just.
Complete Knowledge
“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 the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). He will possess perfect wisdom, counsel and knowledge.
Peace
“They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). There will be perfect peace on God’s holy mountain.
A Renewed Creation
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat…” (Isaiah 11:6). All of creation will be renewed and reconciled under His rule.
Justice for the Oppressed
“…but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:4). He will bring justice for the oppressed.
What an incredible depiction of the righteous, just, and peaceful reign of the future Messiah. Jesus fulfilled many of these at His first coming, but their complete fulfillment awaits His return and glorious reign on the throne of David.
Messianic Expectations at the Time of Jesus
It’s important to understand the messianic expectations that were present around the time when Jesus appeared on the scene. Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 11 had created great anticipation for the coming Redeemer who would establish God’s righteous Kingdom.
By the 1st century, there was fervent longing amongst the Jews for the Messiah’s arrival to deliver them from oppression. Here are some key elements of their expectations:
- A Powerful Political Ruler – Many hoped the Messiah would be a royal figure who would overthrow their oppressors and re-establish an earthly Kingdom for Israel.
- A Military Conqueror – Some expected the Messiah to lead an uprising to defeat Israel’s enemies like the Romans.
- Fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecies – They anticipated the fulfillment of prophecies like Isaiah 11, Isaiah 9:6-7, and others.
- Miraculous Signs – They looked for miraculous displays of power as confirmation of the Messiah.
- Renewal of the Davidic Dynasty – They expected a descendent of David who would sit on his throne forever.
When Jesus began His ministry, many struggled with the fact that it did not align with some of their common messianic expectations. He did not overthrow the Romans. He taught non-violence and self-sacrifice. His birth and upbringing were humble and obscure. But His life and ministry fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecies perfectly in unexpected ways. He ushered in God’s Kingdom gently and humbly.
Jesus as the Promised Messiah
The Gospels present Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecies. Here are some ways the New Testament highlighted this:
- Divine Sonship – The Gospels affirmed Jesus as the Son of God, identifying Him with the divine child of Isaiah 9:6.
- Humble Origins – Like Isaiah 11, Jesus’ earthly life began humbly in obscurity.
- Miraculous Ministry – His miraculous signs confirmed He was the foretold Messiah.
- Triumphal Entry – His entry to Jerusalem on a donkey deliberately enacted Zechariah 9:9.
- Suffering Servant – His death fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah 53 about the suffering servant.
- Resurrection and Exaltation – His resurrection and ascension showed that the humble servant of Isaiah was also the exalted King.
Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God had come in His ministry. Though it began humbly like a child, He declared that it would grow into a great tree and permeate the whole earth. As Christians, we affirm that the full manifestation of His Kingdom remains still future. But it has already broken into this world through Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s work in believer’s hearts. He exemplified Isaiah’s vision of leadership through humility and meekness.
Fulfillment in Christ’s Second Coming
How then will these messianic prophecies ultimately be fulfilled? Christians look ahead to Christ’s Second Coming as the time when He will fully actualize Isaiah’s vision and reign over a restored creation. The book of Revelation and other Scriptures paint a beautiful picture of this future fulfillment:
- Jesus will return in glory to judge the world in righteousness (Revelation 19:11-16).
- He will conquer all evil, injustice and oppression defeating all His enemies (Revelation 19:19-21).
- He will physically reign on earth for 1,000 years from Jerusalem (Revelation 20:4-6).
- Nature will be restored to peace and harmony (Isaiah 11:6-9).
- He will rule with justice, truth and wisdom (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
- All arrogance will be brought low as He exalts the humble (Isaiah 2:11-12).
- The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord (Isaiah 11:9).
What a day that will be when every knee bows before Him! The humble child who entered Jerusalem on a donkey will return as the glorious conquering King. We live with hope and assurance that His Kingdom will come in its fullness. He will finally establish that righteous reign which Isaiah prophetically anticipated.
Applications for Believers Today
How should we then live in light of these truths about the Messiah’s reign? Here are some key applications for believers:
- Seek to exemplify Jesus’ humility, meekness, and gentleness in leadership.
- Value the lowly and overlooked in this world.
- Pursue justice, righteousness and peace in society.
- Trust in God’s power rather than earthly force to advance His Kingdom.
- Look with hope to the return of Christ and the future fulfillment of all prophecies.
- Live as citizens of heaven although still temporary residents on earth.
Isaiah’s vision depicts leadership through humility and concern for the oppressed. This was modeled by Jesus and should be embodied by His followers today. We live in the tension between the Kingdom’s present and future full manifestation. But we serve the same humble, righteous Messiah described by Isaiah. What an amazing prophecy for us to reflect on and apply to our lives!