Is Jesus called the Branch in other Old Testament passages?
Yes. Christ is referred to as the Branch in several other Old Testament passages, not only Isaiah 11. The Branch comes through the stem of Jesse and David, identifying Him as the promised Messiah, the King who will rule over the coming earthly kingdom.
Les explains 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. He notes that 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 Kingdom was promised ever since Abraham, and it is the Kingdom over which Christ offered Himself as King. It will be here on the earth, not up in heaven, because heaven is going to come down to earth. The Lord's prayer, 'thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven,' is really requesting that promised Kingdom. The Old Testament is full of verses like this, and Isaiah 11 gives graphic descriptions of this Kingdom on earth, over which Christ will one day rule and reign.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
More Questions
Why does the Branch in Isaiah 11:1 refer to Jesus?
The 'branch' in Isaiah 11:1 refers to the Lord Jesus in His Old Testament situation because Jesus is called the son of David.
Who is the branch from the line of Jesse in Isaiah 11?
Les explains that David came out of the line of Jesse, and verse 2 identifies the branch as Christ, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. Les connects this to the Beatitudes, noting Christ will rule with righteousness, judging the poor and meek, and that the Beatitudes will come into full bloom when He sets up the Kingdom. He also notes verse 5 calls righteousness and faithfulness the girdle of His loins and reins, qualities of Christ's perfect rule over the thousand-year Kingdom, and verse 6 describes literal peace in creation when the wolf dwells with the lamb.
How can you tell when 'branch' refers to the Messiah in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, when the word 'branch' is capitalized in reference Bibles and concordances, it signifies that it refers to the Messiah, the Christ.