And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Restoration of Judah from Babylon foretold in language which in its fullness can only apply to the final restoration of both "Judah" and "Israel" (cf. Jeremiah 23:6); also, "out of all countries," in this verse and Jeremiah 23:8; also, "neither shall they be lacking," - i:e., none shall be missing or detached from the rest; a prophecy never yet fully accomplished. It holds good also of the spiritual Israel, the elect of both Jews and Gentiles (Malachi 3:16-17; John 10:28; John 17:12; also 12:51,52). As to the future gathering out of all countries, and restoration to Palestine of literal Israel also (see Jeremiah 32:37; Isaiah 54:13; Isaiah 60:21; Ezekiel 34:11-16).
I will set up shepherds ... which shall feed them - (Jeremiah 3:15; Ezekiel 34:23-31). Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Maccabees, the leaders of the Jews after the restoration from Babylon, were but typical of the consummating fulfillment of these prophecies under Messiah. As Messianic prophecy extended over many years, in which many political changes took place in harmony with these, it displayed its riches by a variety more effective than if it had been manifested all at once. As the moral condition of the Jews required in each instance, so Messiah was exhibited in a corresponding phase, thus becoming more and more the soul of the nation's life, so that He is represented as the antitypical Israel (Isaiah 49:3).
I will raise unto David - Hengstenberg observes that Isaiah dwells more on His prophetic and priestly office, which had already been partly set forth (Deuteronomy 18:18; Psalms 110:4). Other prophets dwell more on His kingly office. Therefore here He is associated with "David" the king, but in Isaiah 11:1 with the then poor and unknown "Jesse."
Righteous Branch - "the Branch of righteousness" (Jeremiah 33:15); "The Branch" simply (Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12); "The Branch of the Lord" (Isaiah 4:2).
A King shall ... prosper - the very term applied to Messiah's undertaking (Isaiah 52:13, margin; 53:10). Righteousness or justice is the characteristic of Messiah elsewhere too, in connection with our salvation or justification (Isaiah 53:11; Daniel 9:24; Zechariah 9:9). So in the New Testament He is not merely "righteous" Himself, but made of God "righteousness to us" (1 Corinthians 1:30); so that we become "the righteousness of God in Him," He being "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth" (Romans 10:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Phil He being "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth" (Romans 10:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Philippians 3:9).
Shall execute judgment and justice on earth - (Psalms 72:2; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 32:18). Not merely a spiritual reign, in the sense in which He is "our righteousness," but a righteous reign "in the earth" (Jeremiah 3:17-18). In some passages He is said to come to judge, in others to reign. In Matthew 25:34 He is called "the king." Psalms 9:7-8 unites them (cf. Daniel 7:22; Daniel 7:26-27).