I. "There shall be a root of Jesse," i.e.a thrifty scion shall spring forth from that old decayed family. The prophet does not represent our Saviour as a stately and luxuriant tree, but as a sucker from an unpromising and apparently dead root.
II. The prophet goes on to portray His glorious office: "He shall stand for an ensign of the people." It was customary, in olden time, during the continuance of a war, for the prince or commander to set up an ensign on a lofty tower or mountain top, and to summon the people to rally round it. So, also, was the Lord Jesus to be lifted up on the Cross, that He might draw all men unto Him, and through the faithful preaching of the Gospel to gather together into one great army the true children of God who are dispersed abroad. He stands as an ensign of the people, not merely to attract the eyes of all, and to fix them on Himself, but to warn them of the silent but sure approach of deadly foes, and to indicate the spot where weapons offensive and defensive may be obtained.
III. To this glorious ensign the prophet declares that "the Gentiles shall seek." When St. Paul quotes the verse (Romans 15:12) he varies the language by a single word. "In His name shall the Gentiles trust." There is no inconsistency between this seeking and trusting. The one is the cause, the other the effect; or rather each, in turn, is both cause and effect. When we trust in Christ we seek Him; and when we seek Him we are sure to find how worthy He is of our confidence.
J. N. Norton, Golden Truths,p. 11.
References: Isaiah 11:10. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. viii., p. 274.Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 11:13. H. W. Beecher, Sermons,3rd series, p. 254.Isaiah 12:1. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xvi., No. 928. Isaiah 12:1-3. R. M. McCheyne, Additional Remains,p. 217.