| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index
|
Isaiah Chapter
Four
Isaiah 4
Chapter Contents
The havoc occasioned by war. (1) The times of the
Messiah. (2-6)
Commentary on Isaiah 4:1
(Read Isaiah 4:1)
This first verse belongs to the third chapter. When the
troubles should come upon the land, as the unmarried state was deemed
reproachful among the Jews, these women would act contrary to common usage, and
seek husbands for themselves.
Commentary on Isaiah 4:2-6
(Read Isaiah 4:2-6)
Not only the setting forth Christ's kingdom in the times
of the apostles, but its enlargement by gathering the dispersed Jews into the
church, is foretold. Christ is called the Branch of the Lord, being planted by
his power, and flourishing to his praise. The gospel is the fruit of the Branch
of the Lord; all the graces and comforts of the gospel spring from Christ. It
is called the fruit of the earth, because it sprang up in this world, and was
suited for the present state. It will be good evidence that we are
distinguished from those merely called Israel, if we are brought to see all
beauty in Christ, and holiness. As a type of this blessed day, Jerusalem should
again flourish as a branch, and be blessed with the fruits of the earth. God
will keep for himself a holy seed. When most of those that have a place and a
name in Zion, and in Jerusalem, shall be cut off by their unbelief, some shall
be left. Those only that are holy shall be left, when the Son of man shall
gather out of his kingdom every thing which offends. By the judgment of God's
providence, sinners were destroyed and consumed; but by the Spirit of grace
they are reformed and converted. The Spirit herein acts as a Spirit of
judgment, enlightening the mind, convincing the conscience; also as a Spirit of
burning, quickening and strengthening the affections, and making men zealously
affected in a good work. An ardent love to Christ and souls, and zeal against
sin, will carry men on with resolution in endeavours to turn away ungodliness
from Jacob. Every affliction serves believers as a furnace, to purify them from
dross; and the convincing, enlightening, and powerful influences of the Holy
Spirit, gradually root out their lusts, and render them holy as He is holy. God
will protect his church, and all that belong to it. Gospel truths and
ordinances are the glory of the church. Grace in the soul is the glory of it;
and those that have it are kept by the power of God. But only those who are
weary will seek rest; only those who are convinced that a storm is approaching,
will look for shelter. Affected with a deep sense of the Divine displeasure, to
which we are exposed by sin, let us at once have recourse to Jesus Christ, and
thankfully accept the refuge he affords.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Isaiah》
Isaiah 4
Verse 1
[1] And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man,
saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be
called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
In that day — In that calamitous time.
Seven — Many. A certain number for an uncertain.
One man — Because few men shall survive that dreadful stroke.
Only — Own us for thy wives.
Our reproach — Virginity was esteemed a
reproach; children, the usual fruit of marriage, being both an honour to their
parents, and a blessing of God, especially to that people, from some of whose
loins the Messiah was to spring.
Verse 2
[2] In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful
and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them
that are escaped of Israel.
In that day — About that time: when the Lord
shall have washed away the filth of Zion, by those dreadful judgments now
described.
The branch — The Messiah.
The earth — The land which for the sins of
the people was made barren, upon their return to Christ shall recover its
fertility. Under this one mercy he includes all temporal blessings, together
with spiritual and eternal.
For them — That shall survive all the forementioned calamities.
Verse 3
[3] And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion,
and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that
is written among the living in Jerusalem:
Holy — Shall be really holy.
Jerusalem — Of the people living in or belonging
to Jerusalem.
Verse 4
[4] When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the
daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst
thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
When — This shall be accomplished when God hath throughly
cleansed the Jewish nation from their sins.
The blood — The blood-guiltiness, and
especially that of killing the Lord of life.
Burning — This is opposed to the former legal way of
purification, which was by water. The Holy Spirit of old accompanied the
preaching of the gospel, and did this work in part, and will do it fully. This
spirit may well be called a spirit of judgment, because it executes judgment in
the church, and in the consciences of men, separating the precious from the
vile, convincing men of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. And the same
spirit may be fitly called the spirit of burning, because he doth burn up and
consume the dross which is in the church, and in the hearts of men, and
inflames the souls of believers with love to God, and zeal for his glory.
Verse 5
[5] And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of
mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining
of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
Create — Will in a marvellous manner produce, as it were by a
new creation.
A cloud — A pillar of cloud and fire, like that wherewith he
directed the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt: whereby he implies, that
God would be their protector, and their glory.
The glory — Upon all that church and people,
which God will make so glorious; upon all holy assemblies of sincere
Christians.
Verse 6
[6] And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the
daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm
and from rain.
And there — Or, he, the Lord, shall be a
tabernacle, to defend them from the heat of the sun, and other injuries of the
weather.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Isaiah》
04 Chapter 4
Verses 1-6
Verse 1
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man
The climax of Zion’s ruin
This verse should be part of the preceding chapter, the very
climax, indeed, of the ruin which Zion has brought upon herself.
(Read Isaiah 3:25-26.) In this verse the
course of nature is inverted. This is the ruin which sin always works. The
picture is that of a country desolated by war, and when the census comes to be
taken it is found that there are seven women to one man. The men are murdered,
the strong have been taken away, the mighty men have gone down in the shock of
war. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Social anarchy
A companion picture to Isaiah 3:6;--the male population are in
search of a ruler; the women in search of a husband. (R. Weir.)
Verses 2-6
In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious
The first personal reference in Isaiah to the Messiah
If this is a reference to Christ, critics are agreed that it is
the first personal reference to the Messiah which Isaiah has yet given.
(J. Parker, D. D.)
A pleasing contrast
What so beautiful as that a branch should appear in this
wilderness of lava! Blessed are they who can turn away from the desert and look
at the garden. (J. Parker, D. D.)
A branch
Then the fountains of life and energy are not dried up. (J.
Parker, D. D.)
A branch
That is to say, fruitfulness, beauty, sufficiency, energy, summer.
This is what the Son of God same to be and to do--to fill the earth with
fruitfulness, to drive away the ghastly, all-devouring famine, and to feed the
world with the fruit of heaven. (J. Parker, D. D.)
The Branch of the Lord
I. THE GENERAL
MEANING OF THE PASSAGE. The time spoken of by the prophet is clearly the time
of the Christian dispensation, called “the last days” (ch. 2). And we need not
stop to prove that “the Branch of the Lord” is a name or title of the Messiah.
We have, therefore, a prophecy of the glory of Christ’s kingdom.
II. THE INNER
MEANING OF THE PASSAGE.
1. The glory of Christ is surely the glory which He had with the
Father from the beginning. How then can it be said of Him that at any assigned
time He is glorious, rather than at another? The word glory, when spoken of God
or Christ, cannot have precisely the same sense as when spoken of a man. A man
may gain glory by some act above the average of human nature. But starting from
infinite perfection, nothing greater or nobler can be conceived. Glory,
therefore, with reference to God is not the gaining of any higher excellence,
but the manifestation of excellence which existed already. The creation was the
first manifestation of the glory of God. And if the glory of God was made
manifest in creation, it is yet more fully revealed in those mysteries of
redemption which angels desired to look into.
2. But why in this connection is the Saviour called the Branch of the
Lord? If the appropriateness of the figure does not at once appear, it will at
least remind us of--“I am the Vine, ye are the branches.” The expression thus
sets Christ before us in His character as the Mediator--Himself the Branch of
the Lord, and His people branches of that true Vine. Thus we are enabled
further to connect the title with the glory spoken of. The glory and beauty of
the vine is in its fruit (John 15:8). (A. K. Cherrill, M. A.)
God’s perpetual presence with His people
I. THE PREPARATION
FOR THE PROMISE. In the earlier verses of the chapter you will find that two
things are presented as antecedent to the gifts of blessing--that is, the
coming of the Divine Saviour, and His discipline for holiness within His
Church.
1. The transition from the gloomy judgment to the grandeur of
deliverance is abrupt and striking, as if from a savage wilderness one were to
emerge suddenly into green pastures and among gay flowers. And surely this is a
true representation of the change which passes upon human destinies when Christ
the Lord comes down. We are naturally heirs of judgment. There is not a family,
there is not a heart, upon which the curse has not descended in disastrous
entail; there is a stain upon the birth, there is a feebleness in the nature of
us all. But there comes a sound of help and of deliverance, for a Saviour has
been provided--a Saviour who, in the mysterious union of natures, combines
perfection of sympathy and almightiness of power.
2. It would at once correct our estimate and restrain our pride if we
could remember always that with God the greatest thing is holiness. And then,
further, we are told that to work this holiness in His people, God subjects
them to discipline, and, if necessary, to the spirit of judgment and to the
spirit of burning. Mark the exquisite fitness and the exquisite kindness of the
discipline. There are some stains that water can wash away. If the water will
avail, there is no need of the fire. There are some stains so deep and foul and
crimson that the fire must purge them.
II. THE PROMISE
ITSELF (verse 5). As we read these words, we are translated to a former scene
of deliverance. We go back to the older ages; and there, in the fierce
wilderness, where no groves of palm trees wave with shade, a vast host marching
steadily, now in their van for guidance, now in their rear for protection,
there rises by day a pillar of cloud and by night a pillar of flame; and, as we
gaze, we listen to the snatches of their song: “Sing ye to the Lord, for He
hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the
sea.” This was the vision prominent in the mind of the prophet when he
symbolised by it God’s presence and protection to His chosen Church.
1. The central thought is the presence of God. Then, there are
right-hand and left-hand thoughts or aspects in which that presence manifests
itself.
2. The presence of God for counsel.
3. The presence of God for defence. (W. M. Punshom.)
God’s promise to the remnant
I. THE PERSONS
INTENDED. The remnant, the escaping, the “evasion of Israel,” as the word
signifies (Isaiah 4:2) they that are left, that
remain (Isaiah 4:3), who escape the great
desolation that was to come on the body of the people, the furnace they were to
pass through. Only in the close of that verse, they have a further description
added of them, from the purpose of God concerning their grace and glory--they
are written among the living, or rather, written unto life; “Everyone that is
written,” i.e., designed unto life in Jerusalem.
II. THE CONDITION
WHEREIN THEY WERE. This is laid down in figurative expressions concerning the
smallness of this remnant, or the paucity of them that should escape, and the
greatness of the extremities they should be exercised withal.
III. THE PROMISES
HERE MADE TO THIS PEOPLE are of two sorts: Original, or fundamental; and then
consequential thereon.
1. There is the great spring, or fountain promise, from which all
others, as lesser streams, do flow; and that is the promise of Christ Himself
unto them, and amongst them; He is that Branch of Jehovah, and that fruit of
the earth, which is there promised (Isaiah 4:2). He is the foundation, the
fountain of all the good that is or shall be communicated unto us; all other
promises are but rivulets from that unsearchable ocean of grace and love that
is in the promise of Christ.
2. The promises that flow from hence--
Verse 3
He that is left in Zion
The holy remnant
“Holy” means what is separated from the world and superior to it;
the congregation of the saints, or holy ones, who now inhabit Jerusalem, are
what remain after a smelting; their holiness is the consequence of a washing.
(F. Delitzsch.)
God has never yet left the world without a nucleus of heaven
He has drowned the world, but left a seed to build an altar; He
has burned the Gomorrahs of the world, but He has allowed the faithful to escape,
and to become the beginning of a new progeny. There is always a remnant, the
one left, the true heart, the faithful among the faithless found. (J.
Parker, D. D.)
Holiness becomes the Christian
We are told that the little creature called the ermine is so
sensitive to its own cleanliness that it becomes paralysed and powerless at the
slightest touch of defilement upon its snow-white fur. A like sensibility
should belong to the Christian, who should abstain from the very appearance of
evil. (Sunday School Chronicle.)
Verse 5
A cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by
night
The pillar cloud of Israel--Christ, the Leader of His Church
(with Exodus 13:21-22):--It was good for the
Israelites that they were so long in the wilderness.
There the most impressive intimations of a present Deity followed their every
step. Miracles were wrought, to feed them when hungry, and to satisfy their
thirsty souls. Jesus was in the manna--“I am the living Bread which came down
from heaven.” There, in the form of a vast column of mingled fire and smoke, is
the mysterious yet faithful guide of the Lord’s people. When it is stationary,
they rest; when it advances, they journey. The pillar cloud was typical of
Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ ever liveth as the Church’s Prophet, Priest, and
King. “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion,” etc.
If the pillar cloud was the shadow of good things to come, Jesus Christ is the
glorious substance; and we shall endeavour to show in what manner the Redeemer
leads His Church.
I. JESUS LEADS THE
CHURCH BY HIS WORD. Not more certainly was there one pillar cloud than there is
one Bible. The Word stands alone in its authority. It is the sole director of
our faith; it is the sole regulator of our walk. The Word is the sole standard
in all matters pertaining to the worship of God, and if human opinions or
imperial statutes should oppose its high demands, “we must obey God rather than
men.”
II. JESUS LEADS THE
CHURCH BY HIS SPIRIT. How precious the promise which He made to His disciples.
“The Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.” The Word is a lamp to the feet and a light to
the path; but what if the hands of men are so feeble that they cannot hold the
heaven-sent lamp? What if the darkness which shrouds their minds is so dense
that all the rays shining from the Word serve only to render the darkness
visible? In such circumstances how desirable to have a living guide to expound
the infallible directory! The cloud which was in the tabernacle by day, and the
fire by night, formed a guiding pillar, but for which the people of Israel must
have wandered and lost their way In the desert. Yet there was an imperfection
arising from its very nature. The fiery pillar taught seeing men where to go;
but it could not give sight to the blind. It pointed to the direction in which
the pilgrims were to advance; but it could not make the lame man leap as an
hart. We do not say that the Spirit of Christ did not impart inward light, saving
knowledge, in the days of Moses. Wherever holiness adorned any character, He,
the Sanctifier, was its source. The crowning excellence of the New Testament
economy is, that it is the dispensation of the Spirit. While it does not
dispense with forms, it specially inculcates the power of godliness. While it
commends the Word, it holds the Word to be powerless without the Spirit of God.
III. JESUS LEADS THE
CHURCH BY HIS PROVIDENCE. The Saviour whom we adore, is Ruler of all worlds.
Supreme in heaven, He is not less so on earth. The Author of salvation, He is
the regulator of all the complicated wheels of providence. Providence is a
volume which is often hard to be understood. And the reason why we put
providence after the Word and Spirit of Christ is, that no man is able to
explain providence aright until he has studied the Word, and been taught by the
Spirit of the Lord. (J. Patrick, M. A.)
Israel’s guide and guard
I. It refers to
the Church of God IN ITS PRIVATE AND DOMESTIC CHARACTER. These are denoted by
the expressions--“every dwelling place of Mount Zion.” It is one among the many
beautiful descriptions of the true Christian, with which the Bible abounds, not
simply that he does approach to God, but that he takes delight in doing so; and
having “tasted that the Lord is gracious,” he will strive to realise, in his
own parental character, the exalted qualities, which God ascribed to Abraham,
and which doubtless were even then in the course of development, though “as yet
he had no child.” Happy is that parent, happy is that child, with respect to
whom it can be truly said, “The fathers to the children shall make known Thy
truth.”
II. The second
aspect, under which the Church of God is here presented to us, is IN ITS SOCIAL
AND COLLECTIVE CHARACTER. This is indicated by the expressions “her
assemblies.” The expression refers to the union of the servants of God in
public worship: corresponding exactly to that of which our Saviour spoke, when
He said--“Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in
the midst of them.” There can be no doubt, that from the very earliest ages of
the Church, the rest of the holy Sabbath was observed; and the more the spirit
of genuine religion diffused itself, the more did men of similar tastes and
feelings seek pious association with each other. (G. Weight, M. A.)
The glory of Christ’s Church
1. Experience has amply shown the true glory of a Church does not
consist in outward pomp or splendour. Even Solomon confessed that the
magnificence which adorned his temple in all its untarnished glory was unworthy
to become a residence, or to receive the manifested tokens of Jehovah’s
presence. In rich and stately decorations even the heathen may enshrine his
lifeless idol, and outvie the splendour of the ancient Jewish sanctuary. On the
other hand, the patriarchs in their wandering, and the persecuted Christians,
convened in woods and caves and retired chambers, have beheld the manifested
light of God’s countenance, and have seen His power and glory as graciously
displayed as in the most splendid sanctuary.
2. The true and essential glory of the Church principally consists in
the spirituality, holiness, and unity of its members.
3. The doctrine of the restoration of the image of God in the soul of
man, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, challenges for the Church which
prominently exhibits it, the title of a glorious Church.
4. Of the varied glories of the Church, none in its early days was
more conspicuous than that of unity in government, discipline, worship, and
spirit. Long has Satan prevailed in his endeavours to divide and conquer. (G.
Almond.)
God in His sanctuary
I. RELIGIOUS
WORSHIP, WHETHER IN THE FAMILY OR THE SANCTUARY, IS PARTICULARLY REGARDED BY
GOD.
II. GOD WILL
EXPRESS HIS APPROVAL BY MANIFESTATIONS OF HIS PRESENCE. The benefits of the
Jews from the Shechinah were a type of the benefits of Jesus among us. What
were these?
1. The manifestation of truth--the Urim and Thummim. Jesus Christ is
the only medium through which we can have knowledge of God, redemption, and the
way of worship.
2. The display of holiness. Wherever the Shechinah appeared there was
an impression of holiness. Moses and the bush. The Holy of Holies. So in the
Gospel, we have not only a display of truth, hut of holiness also.
3. Communication of comfort. The cloud covered Israel in a heated
atmosphere; it dropped dew, and they were baptized in the cloud. Is not this
the end of the spiritual manifestation? The Holy Ghost is called the Comforter.
III. THESE
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE CONSTITUTE THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH. What
was the temple without it? And how is this house filled with glory? It is not
in the altar, the shewbread, the ark, or the manna, but in Jesus’ presence
walking among the candlesticks. (J. Summerfield, M. A.)
Upon all the glory shall
be a defence
A Gospel profession the glory of a nation
These words are a recapitulation of the whole verse, and are a
Gospel promise given out in law terms, or a New Testament mercy under Old
Testament expressions.
1. What is here expressed as to the type and figure. For the glory
and defence two pairs of things seem to be intended: the ark and the mercy
seat; the tabernacle and the pillar of fire.
2. What is here intended, as to the substance of the mercy promised.
All those things were typical of Christ. Apply, then, this promise to Gospel
times, and the substance of it is comprehended in these two propositions:
I. THE PRESENCE OF
CHRIST WITH ANY PEOPLE IS THE GLORY OF ANY PEOPLE. This is the glory here
spoken of, as is evident to anyone that will but read Isaiah 4:2, and consider its influence
unto these words. This is their glory, or they have none. Is it in their
number, that they are great, many, and populous? God thinks not so (Deuteronomy 7:7; Psalms 105:12). You know what it cost
David in being seduced by Satan into the contrary opinion. There is nothing
more common in the Scripture than for the Lord to speak contempt of the
multitude of any people, as a thing of nought. Is it in their wisdom and
counsel, their understanding for the ordering of their affairs? Is that their
glory? Why, see how God derides the prince of Tyrus, who was lifted up with an
apprehension hereof; and counted himself as God, upon that account (Ezekiel 27:1-36; Jeremiah 9:23-24).
1. Now, Christ may be said to be present with a people two ways.
2. This is the glory of any people upon a threefold account.
Here lies the preservation of any nation from ruin. Prosperity is
from hence Micah 5:7) If you desire the glory of the
nation, labour to promote the interest of Christ in the nation. Value,
encourage and close with them in and with whom is the presence of Christ.
II. THE PRESENCE OF
GOD IN SPECIAL PROVIDENCE OVER A PEOPLE ATTENDS THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN GRACE
WITH A PEOPLE. (J. Owen, D. D.)
Christ the Defence of His people
I. A DEFENDER OF
THE HOME. It is “upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion” that there shall be
“the cloud and smoke by day,” and the “pillar of fire by night.” What is a
house without Christ?
II. A DEFENDER OF
THE CHURCH. Upon “all her assemblies,” as well as in every “dwelling place,”
rose the symbols of His presence. Eli trembled for the ark of God, and men now
tremble for the safety of the Church in this wilderness world. But it is safe
as the children of Israel under the cloud and the pillar.
III. A DEFENDER OF
THE PERSON. We need personal protection. A shade in the heat of calamity; a
tent in the storm of adversity. This Christ is to His people.
1. In temporal matters.
2. In the interests of the soul. (J. S. H.)
Verse 6
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow
A substantial shadow amid the insubstantials
The tabernacles of the Old Testament typify the abiding glory of
that true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not marl They were taken down.
This abideth evermore. The dissolving process of death only developed the
capacity of the Divine Redeemer to become a universal tabernacle. Isaiah saw
the Divine King in all His beauty and in all His adaptedness for the world’s
deep needs when he declared, “And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in
the day time from the heat.” The word shadow is not always attractively
employed. Job, in mournful imagery, describes the traveller going to the land
of darkness, and the shadow of death. And cheering ideas are not always
suggested by the proverb which affirms that coming events cast their shadows
before them. But the sublime tabernacle spoken of by Isaiah is a shadow that
always attracts. It never hides any sunlight which may be needful for the
ripening of celestial fruits.
I. This tabernacle
is a COOLING SHADOW. The heats of this world will not be so oppressive to him
who dwells in this tabernacle. For the soul finds adequate provisions for the
wants and aspirations of its largo capacities in this substantial shadow.
II. This tabernacle
is a LIFE GIVING AND PRESERVING SHADOW. The summer heat of Judaea is intense.
Some of the rivers are dried up, and become lanes of burning sand. Near Mount
Tabor many of the soldiers of Baldwin IV died through the oppressive heat; and
at this very place of Shunem, the son of the Shunamite was struck in the head
by the sun’s rays as he went up to his father to the reapers, and he died. A
shadow to impart and preserve life as well as to give a cooling place of
resort. The spirit of man dies in consequence of unforgiven transgression, but
life is found in the true tabernacle.
III. This tabernacle
is a DELIGHTFUL SHADOW. Delightful, not only in protecting from evils, but in
the direct impartation of pleasure. If there is any delightful state in this
world, it is where and when the soul sits down under the shadows of the Beloved
and holds sublime communion with the Infinite.
IV. This shadow is
an ABIDING SHADOW. Unlike that afforded by Jonah’s gourd. God blasts our
cherished gourds in order to lead us out of all narrow and selfish policies.
Earth’s protecting shadows flee away to teach us to abide more constantly and
believingly beneath the one perfect and ever-abiding shadow. (W. Burrows, B.
A.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》