Isaiah 11:13, commentary and pictures

The verse foretells the end of rivalry between Ephraim and Judah, when envy departs and hostile opposition is cut off so that Ephraim does not envy Judah and Judah does not vex, trouble, or act with hostility toward Ephraim. In that fulfillment division and strife are healed and neither party envies or troubles the other. This healing comes when God's people repent and return to faithful love and service and to their first works. The unity then envisioned is marked by love for God and for neighbor, by peace, mercy, and benevolence, with the love of Christ guiding and renewing.

For that unity, envy, jealousy, and mistrust must give way to tender and compassionate words and to oneness in Christ. This oneness comes as people are sanctified through the truth and seek meekness and lowliness of Christ, which does not mean requiring everyone to adopt one person's ideas. The verse points to a coming time when believers are united and their spiritual watchmen see eye to eye. Applied to institutions, it calls the publishing houses in Oakland and Battle Creek to work without envy or strife as distinct institutions, each carrying out its appointed work as God's instrument.

Applied to ministry, the verse shows the present is a favorable time for ministering brethren holding different views on points of faith to meet for thorough examination under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They are to blend together and unify in solemn investigation in the name of the Lord, binding up the testimony and sealing the law among disciples. Even though trials will come and the tares will be separated from the wheat, God's people should not let division persist.