The Lord Will Bless His People Who Survive
August 12, 2019
Commentary
In this chapter the prophet looks beyond the “Day of the Lord” to that time when the kingdom will be established on earth. In that day women will be desperate to be married (v. 1). He goes from a warning of judgment to a message of comfort. Isaiah is the first prophet to call the coming Messiah by the name “The branch of the Lord” (v. 2) This is a clear reference to Jesus Christ Himself. God will cleanse His people, restore the fruitfulness of the land, and dwell with them as He did when He led them through the wilderness.
The reference to “he that is left in Zion” (v. 3) no doubt speaks of the remnant that will escape the coming judgments of God (Rom. 1:5). After this the Lord will send a fiery judgment to clean the city and its people of their violent deeds (v. 4). These will be those who are blessed of God and enter the millennium when once again the cloud of glory shall rule them by day and the pillar of fire shall guide them by night (v. 5). Evil will not always continue as it does now. The time will come when God will put an end to all evil and His faithful followers will share in His glorious reign.
The chapter ends with a promise that in those days a tabernacle shall stand as the “place of refuge” (v. 6) on Mount Zion. Most Bible scholars would agree that this refers to the millennial temple which will once again stand in Jerusalem during the millennial kingdom and all the nations shall come to it for protection.
Application
No matter how dark the day may get today I can be sure that light is just around the corner. I should be looking and anticipating His return each day. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
Isaiah 4:1– 6 (NET)
1 Seven women will grab hold of one man at that time. They will say, “We will provide our own food, we will provide our own clothes; but let us belong to you — take away our shame!”
2 At that time the crops given by the Lord will bring admiration and honor; the produce of the land will be a source of pride and delight to those who remain in Israel.
3 Those remaining in Zion, those left in Jerusalem, will be called “holy,” all in Jerusalem who are destined to live.
4 At that time the Lord will wash the excrement from Zion’s women, he will rinse the bloodstains from Jerusalem’s midst, as he comes to judge and to bring devastation.
5 Then the Lord will create over all Mount Zion and over its convocations a cloud and smoke by day and a bright flame of fire by night; indeed a canopy will accompany the Lord’s glorious presence.
6 By day it will be a shelter to provide shade from the heat, as well as safety and protection from the heavy downpour.
Illustration: Moody Need Filled by The Spirit Because I Leak
D L Moody was once asked why he urged Christians to be filled constantly with the Holy Spirit. “Well,” he said, “I need a continual infilling because I leak!” He pointed to a water tank which had sprung a leak. “I’m like that!” he said. It’s a fact that living in this sinful world we do need to be replenished by the Spirit. A friend of mine, an evangelist, was asked if he believed in the “second blessing”. “Of course I do,” he replied, “and in the 3rd, 4th, 5th blessing, and so on.” (Owen Bourgaize – Sermon Central).