The Jesse Tree is an Advent custom that originates from Isaiah’s prophecy of the root of Jesse. King Saul often used the phrase the son of Jesse to refer to David in a derogatory manner (1 Samuel 20:27, 30–31 22:7–8). As a shepherd from Bethlehem, Jesse occupied a relatively humble station in life. It also underscores Christ’s humble origins. The Messiah would possess human ancestry. Isaiah’s use of the phrase root of Jesse calls into focus the humanity of Jesus. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). And in the book of Revelation, Jesus states, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. Paul specifically acknowledged Jesus Christ as the root of Jesse in whom the Gentiles put their hope: “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations in him the Gentiles will hope’” (verse 12). Quoting from the Septuagint, the apostle Paul referred to Isaiah’s prophecy in Romans 15:8–13. What seemed to be a dead, decaying stump would bring forth new life in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God promised to retain a remnant to carry on His work and the bloodline of King David. God’s judgment was coming on Judah, and the nation would be left with nothing but a seemingly lifeless “stump,” but there would be life yet. This “stump” signifies the remnant of Jesse’s family that would barely survive. The prophet uses a similar metaphor-“a shoot from the stump of Jesse”-in Isaiah 11:1 to describe their future hope. Isaiah’s use of root of Jesse expresses the promise of a messianic king who would be born of David’s family line and focuses Judah’s expectation of survival on a sparse, leaderless remnant. The messianic title “ Son of David” traces back to this prophecy. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:12–16). I will be his father, and he will be my son. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Through the prophet Samuel, God had promised David that his offspring would establish an eternal kingdom: “When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. When Isaiah began to prophesy, there was a current hope among the people that a glorious earthly king-the Messiah-would assume the throne of David. In Isaiah 11:10, the Hebrew word used for “root” ( sheresh) implies a root that remains alive and sends up a shoot or branch thus, the root of Jesse was a root from which more descendants could come. We know from the genealogical records (Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38) that Jesus was descended from the line of Jesse and his son David. The “root” of a family is its progenitor. Root of Jesse is a metaphor found in Isaiah 11:10: “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” The term root of Jesse figuratively stands for the Messiah.
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