Isaiah 4:2 - Exposition

In that day shall the branch of the Lord , etc. Some see in this passage merely a promise that in the Messianic times the produce of the soil would become more abundant than ever before, its harvests richer, and its fruitage more luxuriant. But in the light of later prophecy it is scarcely possible to shut up the meaning within such narrow limits. The "Branch" of Isaiah can hardly be isolated altogether in a sound exegesis from the "Branch" of Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 23:5 ; Jeremiah 33:15 ) and of Zechariah ( Zechariah 3:8 ; Zechariah 6:12 ). Now, the "Branch" of Zechariah is stated to be "a man" ( Zechariah 6:12 : note that the word used for "Branch" is the same as Isaiah's, viz. tsemakh ), and the "Branch "of Jeremiah is a King ( Jeremiah 33:15 ). Moreover, Isaiah uses a nearly equivalent term ( netser ) in an admittedly Messianic sense. Although, therefore, there is some obscurity in the phrase, " Branch of Jehovah ," it would seem to be best to understand Isaiah as here intimating, what he elsewhere openly declares ( Isaiah 11:1-5 )—viz. the coming of the Messiah in the latter days as the ornament and glory of his people. Be beautiful and glorious ; rather, for beauty and glory ; or, for ornament and glory ; i.e. for the ornament and glorification of Israel. And the fruit of the earth . It is argued with reason that the two clauses of this verse are parallel, not antithetical, and that as we understand the one, so must we understand the other. If, then, the " Branch " is the Messiah, so is "the fruit of the earth"-which may well be, since he was "the grain of wheat" which "fell into the ground and, lied, and so brought forth much fruit" ( John 12:24 ). Excellent and comely ; rather, for majesty and beauty (comp. Exodus 28:2 , Exodus 28:40 ). Unto the escaped of Israel ; i.e. "to those who shall have our-rived the great calamity, and become citizens of the restored Jerusalem." Dr. Kay well remarks that "the prophecy was adequately fulfilled only in those who 'saved themselves' from the generation which rejected Christ. That remnant was the germ of the Catholic Church, made such by being incorporated into the true Vine" ('Speaker's Commentary,' note at loc .).