Isaiah 4:2-6
Read Isaiah 4:2-6 and Jeremiah 23:5-6
Let’s revisit our story arc to visualize where we are in Isaiah:
I hope after yesterday’s reading you're eager to read about the Branch of Lord today, which is a Messianic passage (yay, hope!). Isaiah prophesied about a day in 4:2, which will be a truly awesome day. Once the pride and haughtiness of people are removed, they will be clothed in holiness and true life. How can this be?
The beauty of the women who decked out their bodies with every form of extravagance in chapter 3 would not even compare to the beauty of the Branch of the Lord, for this Branch is symbolic for the coming Messiah–bringer of hope, true Life, and deep joy. Jeremiah prophesied about this Branch in Jeremiah 23:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”(Jeremiah 23:5-6)
In addition, the prophet Zechariah prophesied about this Branch removing the iniquity of the land:
“. . . Behold, I will bring my servant the Branch… I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” (Zechariah 3)
The Branch of the Lord would be beautiful, glorious, a sight to see for weary hearts and broken souls, and He would remove all iniquity from those who turn to Him. He will make a way for perfect harmony to exist for mankind, which is signified by the vine and fig tree in Zechariah 3:10, as well as Micah 4:4 which says:
“…But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.” (Micah 4:4-5)
My interpretation of this passage leads me to believe that these promises have not yet come to pass. These are a tiny glimpse at the future to come for those made new through the Messiah. The Branch accomplished this newness, or holiness, for a sinful people by being exalted on a cross and dying for the sin of the world–this has come to pass and we get to live in this truth today. Those who call on Him and confess in His identity as the Messiah and Son of God are registered in a book of Life and clothed in His righteousness–but the Flesh is still present. A day is coming where the Flesh will no longer be a part of us and those who belong to God will be wholly and completely washed clean (Revelation 21:27). Fear will be diminished, perfect harmony will exist, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.
God will create an environment of perfection for His children, much like that of the Garden of Eden. This environment nods back to when God led His people Israel out of exile as a pillar of fire and a cloud (Isaiah 4:5-6). His glory will be like a canopy over us, His presence will surround us forever and ever. Yahweh will be a constant protection around His children, welcoming us into His perfect peace. These are the days to come if you are a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Branch of the Lord. Let us look to these days with confidence and assurance, rather than be formed by the world around us.
Journaling Questions:
Did anything stand out to you in this reading?
What do you learn about God’s character by reading this passage?
What excites you about the future to come, based on today’s reading?
How can this limited knowledge of the future change the way you live day to day?
