Reading through the early chapters of Isaiah, it becomes clear that the coming “Day of the Lord” when judgement and punishment will be visited on Israel is not just about punishment, not just about the destruction of wickedness but rather it is about purification and restoration. The aim is that through this refining experience that the true people of God will be kept safe and become more holy.
Read Isaiah 4:2-6
God’s people are often likened to a tree, vine or branch. The tree is meant to be rooted, the branches firmly connected into the trunk in order to receive life giving sap and so be fruitful. There will be survivors from the coming judgement, and they will be like a fruitful branch (v2). Isaiah is beginning to develop a theme of “remnant”, those who remain as well as being fruitful will be holy, set apart for God’s service and distinctive (v3). The imagery of cleansing/washing is also used to describe God’s act of judgement. The people are dirty and bloodstained. The blood here may come from either sexual immorality or murder, both sins there pointing to spiritual unfaithfulness (v4). Verse 5 promises God’s presence by day and night, a cloud that covers and protects like a canopy, a pillar of fire that gives light and guides. These images along with the description of booths or tents in the next verse are drawn direct from the Exodus and point to a second such exodus, a return from exile. Just as God was with his people as they came out of Egypt, so too he will be with those who survive judgement and keep them through their desert experience (even if the wilderness/desert is the land itself) bringing them to a place of provision, protection and fruitfulness in his presence (v5-6).
Ponder
Meditate on these words (v2)
In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious,
- In what ways do we see God at work refining us?
- What does it mean for the church to be beautiful and glorious?
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner’s fire,
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Songwriters: Brian Robert Doerksen
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