“Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11.1-2).

The character of the Lord Jesus Christ drove His conduct. Who He was melded together with what He did. As the Branch of Promise, He went about doing good.

The Holy Spirit rested upon Him as a Spirit of wisdom and understanding. As a man, Jesus increased in wisdom (Luke 2.52). He said that He did nothing on His own, that He was taught by the Father, and that He always did what pleased Him (John 8.28-29). As God, Jesus knew what was in the hearts of people (Matthew 9.4). Jesus knew all things. 

The Holy Spirit rested upon Him as a Spirit of counsel and strength. Jesus knew how to interact most effectively with people around Him. He knew how to direct them. It’s one thing to know how to counsel people but quite another to have the strength to do it consistently over time. This is especially true when people continually reject your counsel. Jesus was filled with inner fortitude and strength. He never grew discouraged or depressed. He pressed on.

The Holy Spirit rested upon Him as a Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. The fear of the LORD is a constant awareness that God is here with Him. So, Jesus always did that which glorified His Father. No one could rightly convict Jesus of sin because He never sinned. Instead, He glorified the Father and finished the work given to Him (John 17.4). 

However, Jesus is not finished. He died for our sins but He arose from the dead and ascended the right hand of the Father. He is still working. He is making a place for us to dwell together with Him. He is interceding for us. He desires that we finish our work on earth as well. Do you need wisdom and understanding? Do you need counsel and strength? Do you fear the LORD? Are you aware of God’s presence as you live out your days? Proverbs 22.4 teaches us that the fear of the LORD, and awareness of God’s presence, constitutes humility. It drives our character and conduct. It is our life – who we are and what we do.