As the present prophecy (Isaiah 2-4.), though in the main one of threatening and denunciation, opened with a picture that was encouraging and comforting ( Isaiah 2:2-4 ), so new it terminates with a similar picture. The evangelical prophet, like the great apostle of the Gentiles, is unwilling that any one should be "swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." He will not separate the mercies of God from his judgments. read more
The glories of the restored Church. Three principal glories are here noted by the prophet as belonging to "that day"—the day of judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem for their manifold sins, and of restoration and re-establishment of the mountain of God's Church at the head of the mountains ( Isaiah 2:2 ). These are— I. THE COMING OF MESSIAH TO FOUND HIS CHURCH LIES AT THE ROOT OF ALL . The glorious "Branch"—the new shoot of the house of David ( Isaiah 11:1 ... read more
Glimpse of future prosperity. There will come a day when the cleansing fire will have run its course through the spiritual field, consuming the tares. The impurity of licentious luxury will have been washed away, the stain of blood effaced from Judah's rulers ( Isaiah 3:14 ; comp. Isaiah 1:25 ; Isaiah 6:13 ; Matthew 3:11 ). Then, and then only, can the glorious day come in the vision of which the prophet exults. I. NATIONAL CONDITIONS OF PROSPERITY . "The shoot of... read more
He that is left … he that remaineth . Equivalent to the " escaped " of the preceding verse. Shall be called holy . Strikingly fulfilled in the filet that the early Christians were known as titter, " holy ," or κλητοὶ ἅγοι , "those called to be holy," in the first age ( Acts 9:13 , Acts 9:32 , Acts 9:41 ; Acts 26:10 ; Romans 1:7 ; 1 Corinthians 1:2 ; 2 Corinthians 1:1 ; Ephesians 1:1 ; Philippians 1:1 , etc.). Perhaps, however, more is meant than this. The early... read more
The roll of the living. "Every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." For the figure of "Jehovah's book," or the "book of life," see Exodus 32:32 ; Psalms 56:8 ; Psalms 69:28 ; Malachi 3:16 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Philippians 4:3 ; Revelation 13:8 ; Revelation 21:27 . Matthew Henry says, "Those that are kept alive in killing, dying times were written for life in the book of Divine providence; and shall we not suppose those who are rescued from a greater death to be such... read more
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion (see Isaiah 3:16-24 ). Sin must not be merely repented of and pardoned; it must be put away. There could be no Jerusalem, in which all should be "called holy," until the moral defilement of the daughters of Zion was swept away. Purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst (comp. Isaiah 1:15 ; Isaiah 59:3 ). It is possible, however, that the murder of infants in sacrifice to Moloch may be in the prophet's mind.... read more
Christ's purified Church. We are often addressing the truths revealed in Christ Jesus to the individual, but perhaps we unduly neglect their bearings on the Church as a whole which Christ has founded in the earth; those relations in which Christ himself stands to the Church, as the kingdom over which he is now actually ruling. It would be well for us distinctly to apprehend this truth, that the gospel only completes its work when, having renewed the individuals, it has also brought them into... read more
Christ's gracious dealings with his Church. In this passage they are presented under three forms: I. CHRIST IS EVER WORKING WITH A VIEW TO THE CLEANSING AND PURIFYING OF HIS CHURCH , so that it might be presented at last " a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." That work of cleansing demands more constant watchful-fullness, care, and toil than we are wont to imagine. It requires that the Church, as a Church, shall pass again and... read more
The branch of the Lord - צמח יהוה yehovâh tsemach. “The sprout” of Yahweh. This expression, and this verse, have had a great variety of interpretations. The Septuagint reads it, ‘In that day God shall shine in counsel with glory upon the earth, to exalt, and to glorify the remnant of Israel.’ The Chaldee renders it, ‘In that day, the Messiah of the Lord shall be for joy and glory, and the doers of the law for praise and honor to those of Israel who are delivered.’ It is clear that the passage... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 4:2-4
Restoration. It is uncertain whether-there is a secondary allusion here to the coming of the Messiah; but it is certain that, in its primary sense, the passage refers to the condition of Judah after the return from exile. Treating it in this latter signification, we learn— I. THAT THE END OF DIVINE JUDGMENT IS HUMAN TRANSFORMATION . ( Isaiah 4:4 .) The Lord would "wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion … by the spirit [or, 'power'] of judgment." It may be that... read more