The pericope I choose for this reflection paper is Isaiah 11:1-9. The previous literary unit of this pericope focuses on the theme of how God uses Assyria for His purpose of redemption. In Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah explains Assyria's role in God's plan. Assyria is the rod of God's wrath. He uses it to punish Israel and Judah because they are two nations without God but full of idols (Isaiah 10 :6,11). After the wrath of God is poured out on two lands, the heart of Assyria boasts. God turns His wrath upon His rod and punishes Assyria. In Isaiah 10:12-19, Assyria is pictured as a mighty forest, and God's judgment is described as an ax that will swing and cut down this mighty forest. Assyria will be destroyed and reduced to a very small number that a child can count (Isaiah 10:19). After the part concerning the destruction of Assyria, the text moves on to the proclamation of the return of the remnant of Israel. The focal point of the text widens in the last verse of chapter 10 of Isaiah to bring out the final scene in which the remnant of Israel will return to their land while in the background Assyria is destroyed. The once mighty forest no longer exists. After God abandons Assyria as His rod at the end of Isaiah chapter 10, at the beginning of Isaiah chapter 11, God will cause a shoot to arise from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). This offshoot of Jesse's stock is personified as Him, and this Person is endowed with the Spirit of the Lord in Isaiah 11:2. He will give justice to everyone. His kingdom will be characterized by justice and faithfulness (Isaiah 11:3-5). This realm of righteousness and faithfulness leads to many profound impacts and drastic changes in the entire creation. The hostilities between predators and prey, b...... middle of paper ......ath had shown all its power with the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The resurrection of Jesus Christ presented the power of the Holy Spirit that would transform and birth new life from the dead body, the dead spirit, and the dead mind of man. This theme, God will bring forth new life from death, will have its conclusion in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. All those who are faithful until death will be resurrected with the new celestial and imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). Death is no longer the absolute end of human life. Instead, death is a requirement for entering into a new life with Jesus Christ when he returns to this earth for the second time. At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, all those who are faithful unto death will be resurrected. They will live forever in the glory of God and will worship Him for eternity (Revelation 7:9-17).