What does Isaiah 11:6 mean?
This is part of Isaiah's prophecy, looking beyond his own time to the day when God would reveal a new leader from the line of David (Isaiah 11:1). This leader will be unlike any other. He will be supernaturally empowered to bring true equity and justice to all people, including the poor and powerless. He will also kill the wicked. His rule will be characterized by righteousness and faithfulness. He will exhibit perfect honor and obedience to God (Isaiah 11:2–5).This promised leader will be referred to as the "Messiah," from the Hebrew term Mashiyach, literally meaning "anointed one." This same concept, in Greek, is expressed as Christos, from which we derive the title "Christ." The Messiah will be revealed to be Jesus of Nazareth, who came to earth to serve and to die for the sins of humanity (John 3:16–18). Now Isaiah begins to describe the time of His return to earth. This will be when Christ will establish His kingdom and rule over Israel and the world from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1–5).
The prophet describes one aspect of the new kingdom in this passage: peace and safety. He begins by depicting a series of impossible animal relationships. This list of animals would not exist together peacefully in the world we currently as we know it. Isaiah finishes making his point by stating how a mere child will lead these animals around.
Isaiah refers to harmony between wolves and lambs, leopards and goats, and lions and calves. Those who have seen these animals together in the wild or on nature shows understand that the expectation would be for violence. The predator would attack and devour the prey. Any small human children nearby would be in grave danger as well.
Biblical commentators see two possible ways of understanding this passage. Some take these descriptions literally, believing that in the Messiah's kingdom the very nature of the animals will be changed. That any danger to former prey from former predators will be eliminated. Other interpreters believe Isaiah's words to be a picture of a fundamental change in human government and culture. This change would be in the relationships between people and nations. Wolves, leopards, and lions would represent predatory empires like those of the Assyrians and Babylonians. Lambs, goats, and calves would be small, defenseless nations easily conquered by these global war machines.
In that sense, the Messiah will rule over the earth in such a way as to end conflict between tribes, countries, and people groups. This would fit with Isaiah's prophecy that nations will no longer learn or study war (Isaiah 2:4).
