Who is the Branch mentioned in Isaiah 11:1?
The Branch is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 11:1 describes a rod from the stem of Jesse, Jesse being David’s father, and from David comes this Branch. Christ is also referred to as the Branch in several other Old Testament places.
Les explains that Isaiah chapter 11 gives graphic descriptions of the Kingdom on earth, the Kingdom promised ever since Abraham, over which Christ will one day rule and reign. He notes that Isaiah 11:1 speaks of a rod coming out of the stem of Jesse, and Jesse is the father of David, and out of David comes this Branch. Christ is also referred to as the Branch in several other places in the Old Testament, so it is a reference to the Messiah. This fits the broader context of the Kingdom for which the twelve were instructed to pray, and heaven coming down to earth rather than believers going up to heaven.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: