Session Three: O Radix Jesse Root of Jesse We approach the 3rd Antiphon as a bible study – mainly in Isaiah 11 but with various other passages

Let’s be radical! Radix – Root – Radical “favouring fundamental change at the root cause of a matter”

What do roots do? General comments from participants – 2 main functions – stability and nutrition/refreshment What do roots do?

Tree roots “extend radially in every direction to a distance equal to at least the height of the tree (assuming no physical barriers) and grow predominantly near the soil surface.” Remarkable! (info from an arboriculture website)

Because it had no root, it withered... Rooted and grounded in love... If the root is holy, the branches are holy... We will be mainly in OT, but note some NT verses (recognise?) Parable of sower; Ephesians; Romans (last one just a question, which we may want to discuss if leading a session – who or what has given us stability? How and through whom/what have we been nourished and refreshed?) Where are the roots of our lives?

For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high; against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan. (Isaiah 2:12-13) (Cedar = cedar from Lebanon flag) turn to Isaiah – v near beginning, in a tone of judgement which marks many early chapters... Read aloud. Trees are being used symbolically here as representing things which are high & “above themselves” (think of any other egs? Vision of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4).

Share together what you know In groups: Share together what you know and understand of the state of the Israelite nation by the time of Isaiah – what or who might be at threat from this prophecy in Isaiah 2? What or who might be at threat in our society today? Why is Isaiah so cross? Why is he speaking in this harsh tone? What has gone wrong... 5 minutes then quick feedback – basically the people of Israel have rebelled, been unfaithful and not followed the law/love of God closely.

So the lofty tree = the Davidic monarchy So the lofty tree = the Davidic monarchy... (which God never wanted anyway!) God has tried and tried to work through and with the Kings, but always a degree of self-importance. Eventually disaster with the N Kingdom falling in 722 and the S Kingdom (the Davidic monarchy) in 586 – EXILE! That is the tree which has been felled, but when a tree is chopped down (rather than dug up) the roots remain, and there is always a chance that new growth will take place...

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. Which we hear about in Isaiah 11:1. Jesse = David’s father, so this is the Davidic monarchy again – coming back to life NB “born of David’s line” – so important to the Jews.

Isaiah 11:1-2 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. See ideal characteristics for royal figure. The child would be imbued with God’s Spirit (as David was 1 Samuel 16:13). These are the qualities of those closest to God – Moses, Elijah, Elisha. Links here to Wisdom literature.

The new growth has all the freshness of new life and vitality, BUT it comes from “good stock” – something there about Fresh Expressions of Church? As Christians we regard Jesus as the new shoot.

Isaiah 11:3-9 He shall not judge by what his eyes see... with righteousness he shall judge the poor... the wolf shall live with the lamb... the nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den... they will not hurt or destroy... the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Following verses spell out the way in which the new ruler will act and the resultant quality of community.

Read the whole of Isaiah 11:3-9 In groups: Read the whole of Isaiah 11:3-9 What were to be the marks of the new ruler? Imagine together how life would be different living in the kingdom described. What are the griefs and troubles you bear and feel strongly about which would be no more...? Again 5 minutes then any general conversation which ensues.

I find this image quite disturbing – but it brings home the power of these ancient words – God’s Kingdom is very different! “A world in which small babies are safe is also a world of refuge and safety for their mothers and for all who are physically and socially vulnerable”

Isaiah 11:10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. Moving on... “on that day” often presages disasters, but here used in a hopeful sense: Root of Jesse, seen as imminent in vv 1-9, will be part of the manifestation of the great day of Yahweh. “Stand as an ensign” a signal/flag, something to be noted and noticed...

John 12:31-33 Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.  Let’s link that idea of an ensign with words of Jesus - again, people/nations will be drawn

...the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples... “...and I, when I am lifted up, will drawn all people to myself...” So the root/shoot of Jesse grows into a very different tree – the tree on which Jesus died – which becomes a tree of life. Not lofty and proud, but shameful and humble...

Revelation 5:1-3 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.  So, with that in mind, turn to Revelation – John’s visions on Patmos... The scroll contains God’s secret plan for the coming of his kingdom on earth, which cannot be revealed unless someone authorised to beak the seal does so... Who can do it?

Revelation 5:4-5 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ John weeps, such is his distress – then, someone is found who can break the seal; the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David... Both strong images (esp Lion) Use of “conquered” suggest a military strength and victory but...

Revelation 5:6-9 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered... He went and took the scroll... Then they sang a new song, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe... Then... He sees “a Lamb standing as if slaughtered” – title of v5 are reinterpreted, Jesus IS the conqueror over evil BUT he conquers by his sacrificial (Lamb) death (slaughtered) the Lamb is the Passover Lamb.

Has the church understood the kind of victory Jesus achieved? In groups: Mothers are often cited as good exemplars of sacrificial love... Do you think that is true? Has the church understood the kind of victory Jesus achieved? How can we demonstrate victory through sacrificial love? Reflect on this kind of sacrificial love... 5 minutes or so

Revelation 22:16 ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ Final verse! Jesus self-describes in language of OT prophecy – he is both the old (root) and new (descendent = shoot) the Alpha and the Omega, (& the bright and morning star). Nb 24:17

Channelling nutrition... How do we understand all that we are taught...? How do we process all that we hear...? How are we changed by all that we learn...? So there’s a lot in these old verses... Maybe at times we feel a bit overwhelmed... What do we do with all that we hear/read? Helping people to process “stuff” is as important as providing the “stuff” in the first place therefore need to leave time in an retreat programme for thinking/chilling/focussing/expressing/praying...

2 little books recently read – by same author – highlight darkness and silence, as positive, not negative (think of how roots live! – in the quiet dark). But we do have to learn to embrace them, learn to use them...

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” Helen Keller Interesting quotation from Helen Keller which backs that up... (see notes for entry into time of silence).