A stump – a lifeless, often ugly and dark thing, is the result of a diseased or fruitless tree cut down. Isaiah depicts the children of Israel as such a stump. Once the beauti-ful crown of God’s Creation, his chosen people had to be “cut down” because of disobedience and rebellion. Life for Israel was headed toward darkness and exile.
But God, in His vast mercy promises a rebirth; a green shoot would grow from the cut down remnant. The Green shoot, would bring light, hope and salvation for all. The Green Shoot was the promised Messiah.