Isaiah 4:1-6

A Branch of the LORD

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1In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”

2On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors.

3Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy—all in Jerusalem who are recorded among the living—

4when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.

5Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy,

6a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The opening verse continues the devastation of the previous chapter, where men fall in battle. Seven women seek the name of one man, offering to provide their own food and clothing if he will take away their disgrace. It is a picture of a community in distress.

Then Isaiah turns to hope. The Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious. The fruit of the land will become the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel.

Those who remain in Jerusalem and are recorded among the living will be called holy. The Lord will wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and fire.

Over Mount Zion and every assembly, the LORD will create a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. The image recalls the cloud and fire over the tabernacle in Exodus 40. God’s presence will shelter the people He has cleansed.

There will be a shelter by day from heat, and a refuge and hiding place from storm and rain. The chapter is brief, but its hope is not shallow: cleansing and protection follow judgment, and God's presence rests over a renewed people.

Questions

1 What will the Branch of the LORD be?

AnswerThe Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the land's fruit will honor the survivors.

2 Who will be called holy?

AnswerThose who remain in Jerusalem and are recorded among the living will be called holy.

3 What will the LORD wash away?

AnswerHe will wash away the filth of Zion and cleanse Jerusalem's bloodstains.

4 What will cover the assembly?

AnswerA cloud, smoke, and the glow of a flaming fire will cover the assembly as a sign of God's presence.

What This Means for Us

The Lord promises both cleansing and shelter. His restored city will be holy; the bloodshed that stained it will not be allowed to continue under a covering of religious comfort. We can seek His mercy while agreeing with Him about the wrong that needs to end.

If our actions have harmed someone, asking God for peace should go with telling the truth and turning from the harm. The promise of refuge encourages us to come to Him, rather than hide what He already sees.

Prayer

Lord, wash away what defiles our lives and make us holy in your sight. Cover our households with your presence, and be our refuge when judgment, heat, or storm surrounds us. Amen.

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