Isaiah-4
Isaiah 4:2-6
The Branch of the Lord Glorified
2 In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. 3 And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. 5 Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. 6 There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.
Some difference in interpretation of V. 2 with the two phrases: “the branch of the Lord” and “the fruit of the land”….
“It would fit best to conclude that the two clauses in 4:2 refer to two parallel acts of God that will transform Zion. God will (a) cause his messianic Branch to spring forth, and also (b) bring marvelous fertility to the produce of the field. “ To (a) replace the proud leaders of his people and give them a new leader, the Branch of the Lord, and (b) replace the ruin, devastation, and shame of the destroyed land with lush crops that will have great fertility. This fits the context of what God will do in parallel Old Testament messianic passages that describe the coming of God’s glorious kingdom.” (Quote: NAC commentary)
V.3 – God’s cleansing of those left in Zion with transform them into holy people, a select group whose names are securely recorded in God’s books. “Holy” = “qados” = consecrated – “recorded” – to be recorded….
V.5-6 – After Zion is purified, God will create something new in Zion. V. 5 “…for over all the glory there will be a canopy.”
(i.e Is. 65:17; 55:22) God’s special act of re-creating the new heaven and the new earth…..
A cloud by day and fire at night would symbolize his presence in Zion. – Showing God’s acceptance and nearness to his holy people. Not limited to a temple as it will be as a canopy over all Zion as they all would be a people that will be holy.
Quote from NAC commentary:
THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS. These promises were made to the Hebrew people of Jerusalem to help them choose between exalting themselves or exalting God. God will cleanse people of their sins, establish the new heavens and the new earth (cf. Rev 21), and rule his holy kingdom as he dwells among his people. This will be a glorious day when the messianic Branch will be exalted, and the productivity of the earth will be transformed. What is certain is what God will do. What is uncertain is what the people will do. Will they choose to accept God’s purification so that they can be holy and dwell in God’s presence, or will they arrogantly continue in their sinful ways?
The most significant questions to ask about 4:2–6 are not centered on whether this prophecy will be fulfilled in the millennial age or if one should take an amillennial interpretation. The question of when, where, or exactly how these promises will be fulfilled (in the eschatological future or during the church age) is not directly addressed in this passage. The major dilemma is, Who believes that God hates sinful human pride and who believes that only those who are holy will enjoy God’s future kingdom with him? None of these other minor theological issues will matter to those who exalt themselves in rebellion against God, for they will be destroyed in fire. None of these side issues will really matter that much for those who are holy either, for they will be enjoying a wonderful life in the presence of the glory of God. The primary lesson people must remember is that those who exalt and glorify God in their present life will have many opportunities to exalt him in the future.
God is at the center of all eschatological promises. God will wash away sin and make it possible for people to be holy. God is the one who writes people’s names in his book (4:3–4). God will create a new world order over Mt. Zion, and his glorious presence there will bring protection for his people. He will make the messianic Branch beautiful and he will increase the productivity of the earth. God is the one people can trust and he is the one to exalt. The future of this world is completely dependent on God.
Every listener who hears the words of the prophet must decide where they would like to spend eternity. One thing is abundantly clear: there will be no place in God’s kingdom for proud men and women who attempt to exalt themselves.[1]
[1] Smith, G. V. (2007). Isaiah 1–39. (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 159). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.