Isaiah 11:1-2

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and the truth of the Holy One of Israel brings wisdom! In Him and in the fullness of the triune Godhead is salvation.

The words Rod and Branch are messianic terms. They are figurative words for the great descendant of the household of David, the Seed of the woman promised in Gen. 3:15, Jesus Christ Himself. The Messiah would be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The first readers of the Hebrew Scriptures likely thought that the term Spirit was just another way of speaking of God with awe or wonder. In the NT, we learn that the term refers to the third Person of the Trinity. The Messiah would demonstrate in all His life the correct response to God: He would honor and obey Him. The people of God in all ages are under orders to respond to Him with reverential awe.

Isaiah 11:1-2

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, 
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 
² The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, 
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
The Spirit of counsel and might, 
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.