is called 'a branch' or more properly, 'a shoot' for which the Hebrew
word is _netzer_. The name Nazareth is probably etymologically connected
with that word, and may have been given to the little village
contemptuously to express its insignificance. The meaning of the
prophecy is that the offspring of David, who should come when the
Davidic house was in the lowest depths of obscurity, like a tree of
which only the stump is left, should not appear in royal pomp, or in a
lofty condition, but as insignificant, feeble, and of no account. Such
prophecy was fulfilled in the very fact that He was all His life known
as 'of Nazareth' and the verbal assonance between that name, 'the shoot'
and the word 'Nazarene' is a finger-post pointing to the meaning of the
place of abode chosen for Him. The mere fact of residence there, and the
consequent contempt, do not exhaust the prophecies to which reference is
made. These might have been fulfilled without such a literal and
external fulfilment. But it serves, like the literal riding upon an ass,
and many other instances in Christ's life, to lead dull apprehensions to
perceive more plainly that He is the theme of all prophecy, and that in
His life the trivial is significant and nothing is accidental.

THE HERALD OF THE KING

'In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness
of Judaea, 2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand. 3. For this is He that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias,
saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the
way of the Lord, make His paths straight. 4. And the same John had
his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins;
and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5. Then went out to him
Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6.
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7. But
when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned
you to flee from the wrath to come? 8. Bring forth therefore fruits
meet for repentance: 9. And think not to say within yourselves, We
have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of
these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10. And now also
the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree
which bringeth not forth good fr