HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

www.godcannotlie.org

Welcome to our website

Book Of Isaiah

Chapter 4

Theme: Conditions that prevailed during the Babylonian captivity, will also prevail at the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ.

This chapter continues one complete prophecy which began in chapter 2 and will close in chapter 5. In these chapters we actually have a synopsis (summary) of the entire Book of Isaiah, because he touches all the bases here that he will touch in the rest of the book.

Chapter 4 is the shortest chapter in the Book of Isaiah, with just six verses. Isaiah sets before us a description of the conditions which prevailed at the time of the Babylonian captivity and also of the conditions which will exist during the Great Tribulation period, right before the setting up of the Messianic Kingdom (Rev.20:1-8).

The arrangement of the chapter is simple. The first verse is the only one that shows conditions during the time of the Great Tribulation, or the last days. The rest of the chapter sets before the reader the preparation that will be necessary for entering the Kingdom. This section, looks ahead to the future.

There are some who say that the first verse of Chapter 4, belongs to Chapter 3, because it tells us of a scarcity of men, through the destruction of them in war, which was there predicted, and that there should be seven women to one man; who, contrary to their natural modesty, contrary to custom, who propose to provide their own food and raiment, only desiring to be called by his name.

Verse 2 follows with a prophecy of Christ, who is described by His Names, the branch of the Lord, and the fruit of the Earth; and by proper descriptions and nicknames of Him, such as, beautiful, glorious, excellent, and comely; and by the persons to whom He is so, the escaped of Israel, to whom various blessings are promised; as the dedication of them, the source of which is their election, and the means of it the spirit of judgment and burning, (vs.3) and the protection and preservation of them, by the Lord's creating, as for Israel of old, a cloud of smoke to rest upon them by day, and a flaming fire by night, and by being Himself a Tabernacle (tent) to screen them from heat in the day, and a place of refuge to cover them from storm and rain (vs.5).

Threatening of the Scarceness of Man (4:1)

Isaiah 4:1 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. (KJV)

In that day . . .  of which Isaiah was speaking (Isa.2:1-22; 3:1-26), and still continues to speak. In that dreadful time.
Seven women shall take hold of one man . . .  a certain number for an uncertain one. Shall take hold and even lay hands upon him, contrary to their custom, and their natural modesty. Of one man, because few men shall survive that dreadful blow. They who before were not content with their own husbands, are now glad of just a seventh part of a husband.
Saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel . . . we will ease thee of that charge, which otherwise would fall upon thee by God's law (Ex.21:10).
Let us be called by thy name . . . own us for thy wives. Reproach, virginity was esteemed a reproach, especially among that people, because it was a token of contempt from men, and of the curse of God; children, the usual fruit of marriage, being both an honor to their parents before men, and a great blessing of God, especially to that people, from some of whose loins the Messiah was to spring.

*****These conditions will prevail because of the frightening casualties of war. That has been true of all wars, and these conditions will exist in the time of the Great Tribulation. In other words, because the manpower population will be so decimated by war, there will be a surplus of women, so much so that seven women will be willing to share one man in that day! And all of them will be willing to hold down a job. It is an awful condition that will prevail. This was threatened (Isa.3:25), that the mighty men would fall by the sword in war, and it was threatened as a punishment to the women that were affected by gaiety and a loose sort of lifestyle. Now here we have the effect and consequence of that great slaughter of men.

Isaiah 4:2 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. (KJV)

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious . . . about and after that time; when the Lord shall have washed the filth of Zion by those dreadful judgments now described (vs.4). The branch of the Lord; is the Messiah, who is commonly defined in Scripture by this title, the Branch, (Isa.11:1; Jer.23:5; 33:15; Zec.3:8), whose name is expressly said to be the Branch (Zec6:12),of whom not only Christians, but even the Hebrew doctors, understand it. For after the foregoing miseries were brought upon the Jews, by the remainder of the Grecian empire, of which Daniel prophesies of exactly and particularly, and afterwards by the Roman Empire, the Messiah was born; and after that utter destruction brought upon the Jewish city, and Temple, and nation by Titus, the Kingdom of the Messiah became beautiful and glorious, as it here follows.
The fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely  . . . the land which for the sins of the people was made barren, upon their repentance and return to Christ, shall recover its former fertility. Under this one mercy, Isaiah seems to understand all temporal blessings, which, together with spiritual and eternal, God shall confer upon them; and the fruitfulness of the people shall increase (the earth or land often being put for its inhabitants) in knowledge, and grace, and all good works.
For them that are escaped . . . that shall survive all the disasters before mentioned. This would be in contrast to those on whom vengeance falls.

*****In that day refers to the Day of the Lord. This phrase will occur again and again in the Book of Isaiah (and in all the prophets), and it will also be mentioned in the New Testament. The phrase Day of the Lord is found 5 time in Isaiah; That day is found 44 times in Isaiah; and is found in most of the major and minor prophets. The entire Book of Joel especially has something to say about it.
http://www.godcannotlie.org/joel_commentary_lesson1.htm

The Day of the Lord begins as every Hebrew day always begins . . . at sundown. It begins with darkness and moves to the dawn. It begins with the Great Tribulation and moves on into the Millennial Kingdom of the King.

There is also a reference in this verse to the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the branch. There are eighteen Hebrew words translated by the one English word branch, and all of them refer to the Lord Jesus Christ. In this verse the word branch means sprout. Later, we are going to be told that He is a root out of a dry ground (Isa.53:2). The LORD Jesus is something living and green that has sprung up in the dry, seemingly barren desert. Day of the Lord: (Isa.13:6-9; Joel 1:15; 2:11, 31; Amos 5:18; 8:13-14; 9:11-12; Oba.1:15; Zep.1:14-18; Zec.14:1-5; Mal.4:5; 1 Cor.5:5; 2 Cor.1:14; 1 Thes.5:2; 2Pet.3:10).

Isaiah 4:3 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: (KJV)

And it shall come to pass . . . this phrase is found 131 times in the KJV of the Bible, and means exactly what it states! What the LORD states, SHALL COME TO PASS!
That he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem . . . left in Zion, means those who escaped the disaster.
Shall be called holy . . . shall really be holy (Isa.60:1-2, 21). To be called holy is often put for to be holy (Gen.21:12; Isa.1:26; 44:5). This means the saved in general, no more strangers (wicked) to pass through Jerusalem (Joel 3:17).
Even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem  . . . there IS a restriction of the foregoing offer. NOT all that are left, shall be holy, only they are written in God's or the Lamb's book, or in the book of life, or of the living (Ps.69:28; Dan.12:1; Eze.13:9; Lk.10:20. Phil.4:3; Rev.3:5; 13:8; 20:12, 15).

*****In the Day of the LORD, during the Great Tribulation, there shall be God's people, both of Israel and the Gentiles, who will survive that period. Those who are martyred (Rev.6:10), will be resurrected at the end of that time. Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV) . . . IF a person misses the Rapture (1 Thes.4:13-18) because they are not saved by the Blood of Jesus (Rom.5:1; 1 Pet.1:18-19), and is left behind, to start through the Tribulation, they can still turn to Christ, and once they do, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph.1:13; 4:30), to make sure they get through it. The Shepherd is well able to keep His own sheep, and therefore they shall endure to the end. This same thought is found in (Rev.Ch.7), which speaks of that great company, both Jew and Gentile, who will be sealed at the beginning of the Great Tribulation and came through that period.

Isaiah 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. (KJV)

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion . . . this shall happen when God has thoroughly cleansed the Jewish nation from their sins. When, is AFTER the cleansing; washed away the filth (Isa.1:21-25; Zec.13:1); daughters of Zion (Isa.3:16).
And shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof . . . the Blood, especially that of killing the Lord of Life, their own Messiah. Purged, purified by judgments; destroying the ungodly, correcting and refining the godly.
And by the Spirit of judgment . . . by the Spirit, Isaiah seems to understand this to be the Holy Spirit of God, to which this washing and purging work is commonly ascribed (1 Cor.6:11; Tit.3:5), for the Holy Spirit ALWAYS accompanies the preaching of the Gospel.  And 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 (Jn.16:8-11), revealing the secrets of men's hearts in the preaching of the Word (1 Cor.13:25), accusing, scaring and punishing some, witnessing for and with others, and filling them with peace and joy in believing. He hardens some, softens and subdues others to God, and it is this same Spirit that is especially promised to do these things for and to the Jews (Zec.12:10).
And by the spirit of burning . . . the same Spirit may be rightly called the Spirit of burning, as He is compared to fire (Mat.3:11; Rev.4:5), because He burns up and consume the dross (trash) in the church, and in the minds and hearts of men, and stirs up the souls of believers with love for God, and passion for His honor and glory.

*****Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (KJV) . . .
God's people must be prepared to enter the Kingdom. Are any of us really fit for Heaven? NOT without Jesus! Dear one, God is omniscient (all-knowing), He KNOWS what is in the heart of every person. I simply cannot comprehend this FACT! There are millions of people in the world, yet God knows the hearts of EVERY one of them! That is far too deep for me!

But I do know that when I die, I will be absent from the body, present with the Lord (2 Cor.5:8). Some cults say we cannot know this. I strongly disagree! The Bible says we can know! John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV) 1 John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (KJV)

Our life on Earth is simply a school to prepare us for eternity. So many people think that this life is all there is. Once you die, you are dead! They are WRONG! That is NOT what the Bible teaches! It teaches that our souls are eternal: (Ps.22:26; 23:6; 49:7-9; Ecc.12:7; Dan.12:2-3; Mat.25:46; 1 Cor.15:12-19). Preparation for Heaven is made here on Earth for eternity!

I also know that I am not ready to enter Heaven. Beloved, it does not yet appear what we shall be, for He is going to have to make some changes before I (or you) are allowed to enter! Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  (KJV) Also see: (1 Cor.15:42-44, 48-54).

Isaiah 4:5 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. (KJV)

And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion . . . create, the new creation needs as much God's creative omnipotence, as the material creation (2 Cor.4:6; Eph.2:10). He will in a marvelous way produce, as it were by a new work of creation, so it shall be in the case of the Holy Jerusalem to come. New Creation: (Isa.65:17-18; 66:22; Jer.3:16-17; Mat.19:28; Acts 3:21; Rom.8:21; 2 Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1-5).
And upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night . . . the pillar of cloud stood over the Tabernacle, as a symbol of God's favor and Presence (Ex.13:21-22; Ps.91:1). Both on individual families (every dwelling) and on the general sacred assemblies (Lev.23:2). The cloud became a fire by night in order to be seen by the Lord's people. A pillar of cloud and fire, was what directed, protected and honored the Israelites when they came out of Egypt; and whereby Isaiah implies that God would continue to be their Protector and their Glory.
For upon all the glory shall be a defence. . . . upon all the glory, meaning the Lord's people and sanctuary. The Shekinah (cloud and fire) spoken of in the previous clause shall be a defense. The symbol of His Presence shall ensure their safety. So it was to Israel against the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Ex.14:19-20). So it shall be with literal Jerusalem hereafter (Zec.2:5).  Also to the Church, the spiritual Zion (Isa.32:18; 33:15-17; Heb.12:22). Upon all the glory; upon all that the church and people, which God will make so glorious, not only in His own eyes, but also in the eyes of the world; upon all holy assemblies of sincere (TRUE) Christians.
http://www.godcannotlie.org/true_children_of_god.htm
*****The glory of God will be upon every house in the Millennial Kingdom, not just upon the Temple. What a glorious thing that will be, to have His Shekinah (Glory and Presence) available at all times!

Isaiah 4:6 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. (KJV)

There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat . . . He, the LORD, shall be a tabernacle, or a tent, to defend them from the violent heat of the sun, and other injuries of the weather. A Tabernacle is Christ Jesus’ Body (Jn.1:14). Tabernacled means He dwelt among us (Jn.2:21; Heb.8:2).
And for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain . . . He is a shadow from the heat and refuge from the storm of God’s righteous wrath against man's sins (Isa.25:4). Heat and storms can be violent in the East; so that a portable tent is a much needed part of a traveler’s outfit. Such shall be God's wrath hereafter, from which the escaped of Israel shall be sheltered by Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Isa.26:20-21; 32:2).  

*****Jesus Christ is the TRUE Mercy Seat, on whom the Shekinah rested. He is the Propitiation, Appeasement or Atonement, beneath whom the law is kept, as it was literally within the ark. Mankind is covered from the storm by Christ, the Tabernacle! The redeemed Israel shall also be, when they are united with Him. Christ is a Tabernacle for God's glory, which, unlike the Tabernacle (tent) in the wilderness, shall NEVER be taken down (Isa.38:20).

Security will come to the nation Israel in that day . . . the last day. Today Israel does NOT have peace (Zec.12:2-3). For that reason, this prophecy is not being fulfilled. The Jews are NOT back in the land with every man dwelling under his vine and fig tree in peace (1 Ki.4:25; Mic.4:4; Zec.3:10).

Peace always follows grace, mercy and cleansing. The problem has never been solved with a political party, nor ever with the government! Peace never comes from a foreign country. The problem is in the human heart. People war because it is in our hearts. Man is in reality a warlike creature because he is a sinner and he refuses to accept that fact that God is right and we are wrong, and they refuse to correct and deal with the problem. There will be one war right after the other until the heart of man is changed. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) . . . There can be NO peace without Jesus (Isa.26:3; 57:21; Jer.6:14).  

Book of Isaiah . . Isaiah's Mini-Bible

Isaiah Ch.1 . . Isaiah Ch.2 . . Isaiah Ch.3 . . Isaiah Ch.4 . . Isaiah Ch.5 . . Isaiah Ch.6 . . Isaiah Ch.7 . . Isaiah Ch.8 . . Isaiah Ch.9 . . Isa.Ch.10 . . Isa.Ch.11 . . Isa.Ch12 . . Home Page

JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS . . . . . Isaiah Ch.13 . . Isaiah Ch.14 . . Isaiah Ch.15 . . Isaiah Ch.16 . . Isaiah Ch.17 . . Isaiah Ch.18 . . Isaiah Ch.19 . . Isaiah Ch.20 . . Isaiah Ch.21 . . Isaiah Ch.22 . . Isaiah Ch.23 . . Home Page

ISAIAH’S APOCALYPSE . . . . . Isaiah Ch.24 . . Isaiah Ch.25 . . Isaiah Ch.26 . . Isaiah Ch.27 . . Home Page

ISAIAH'S SIX WOES . . . Isaiah Ch.28 . . Isaiah Ch.29 . . Isaiah Ch.30 . . Isaiah Ch.31 . . Isaiah Ch.32 . . Isaiah Ch.33 . . Isaiah Ch.34 . . Isaiah Ch.35 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Historic Part . . Isaiah Ch.36 . . Isaiah Ch.37 . . Isaiah Ch.38 . . Isaiah Ch.39 . . Home Page

Isaiah Speaks of Messiah's Incarnation. . Isaiah Ch.40 . . Isaiah Ch.41 . . Isaiah Ch.42 . . Isaiah Ch.43 . . Isaiah Ch.44 . . Isaiah Ch.45 . . Isaiah Ch.46 . . Isaiah Ch.47 . . Isaiah Ch.48 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Introduction to the Suffering Servant

Isaiah's Suffering Servant Prophecy. . . Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah's Redemption Through the Suffering Servant . . . Isaiah Ch.49 . . Isaiah Ch.50 . . Isaiah Ch.51 . . Isaiah Ch.52 . . Isaiah Ch.53 . . Isaiah Ch.54 . . Isaiah Ch.55 . . Isaiah Ch.56 . . Isaiah Ch.57 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Vision of the Dispersion . . . Isaiah Ch.58 . . Isaiah Ch59 . . Isaiah Ch.60 . . Isaiah Ch.61 . . Isaiah Ch.62 . . Isaiah Ch.63 . . Isaiah Ch.64 . . Isaiah Ch.65 . . Isaiah Ch.66 . . Home Page