- “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.
- 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.”
As we read in chapter 3, many men fell in battle, leaving women socially stranded, to live as single females, which was thought to be unacceptable. Normally, in ordinary times, there are roughly a large number of men to choose from, but this text tell us that the men would be killed off, and so women were desperate to marry. Isaiah predicts what will happen – seven women will approach a single man, and ask him to marry all seven. They will not make demands, but will provide their own clothing and make their own food… all they want is the security and socially acceptable status of marriage. (We know this is in the future, because Isaiah says “in that day”).
By contrast, says Isaiah, virtuous and holy women will be much better off, beautiful and glorious; they will not want for anything, even when under duress. It seems that this period was one in which Israel (in the north) attacked Judah (in the south). These words are not so much promising earthly wealth and higher status, as showing that being faithful to Jehovah brings rewards.
Verses 3&4
- “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:
- 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.”
Isaiah saw the fall of Jerusalem. Very few Hebrews were left in Jerusalem after it was sacked and the majority were taken as slaves to Babylonia. At that time Jerusalem and the Temple went into a rapid decline and disrepair as the people gave up. This does not seem to be that time however, for Isaiah says those who were left would be called holy. So, this was a different time, when those who are left would be holy after Jehovah had washed the city clean of its female sinners. These sins were called ‘filth’. Sin was thus dealt with, by the ‘spirit of judgment’ and the ‘spirit of burning’. That is, by means of the law (mišpāṭ), and by means of God’s wrath (bāʿar). Some see all this as coming at the time of Jesus on earth. Perhaps it speaks of 70 AD. However, much, if not all, of this particular vision is about the fall into sin of Jerusalem.
Verses 5&6
- “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.
- 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.”
In the day when these events come about, God will provide protection, not for everyone, but for those who are His true children. This He did many times up to 70 AD, when His wrath brought down the whole religion of Judaism, after several decades of warning following the death of Jesus. Jesus warned for those who would escape to do so quickly. If they did not, Rome would annihilate those who remained. In 70 AD Judaism was officially, by God, brought to a close. Thus, those today who practise it are on a fool’s errand, trying to revive what God cast away.
Yet, the same prophecy could also apply to Christians today, if we see “every dwelling place of mount Zion” as a reference to believers. God will protect us with His cloud and smoke... flaming fire by night – for us, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; His glory is our defence. He would also supply shelter from evil (“shadow in the daytime”) and a refuge when sin rules and causes fear. God is our defence – as it was in the days of Isaiah.
There are times when past theologians were over-zealous in their interpretation of Isaiah, inserting Christ into almost every prophecy. The reader should use discernment and accept (or not) their proposed interpretations.
© 27 April 2025
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Published on www.christiandoctrine.com
Bible Theology Ministries
Swansea
Wales
United Kingdom