The Knowledge of the Lord
Sorry this post came out so late in the day. I happen to be sitting in my truck on a jobsite as I write. Currently waiting for 30+ yards of concrete to dry before power-troweling it. Such is life. Please be gracious if my thoughts are scattered here; they probably are!
For nearly a week this chapter has stumped me. The first verse-and last verses of chapter 3-tempt me to discuss the relationship between men and women. However, the foreshadowing of Isaiah chapters 1-5 are more than direct descriptions of the people of Israel in Isaiah’s day. Already, in chapter 2, Isaiah discusses Jesus rule on earth during the thousand-year reign. Reading chapters 1-5 consecutively provides clarity on this point. Some suggest that the “women” in Isaiah 4:1 are a reference to the seven churches in Revelation. However, my knowledge on that specific correlation is too limited to make an accurate judgement. Since the chapter is short, it seemed appropriate to put the whole text in this post.
“For seven women will take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach!” In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. And it will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy-everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgement and the spirit of burning, the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. And there will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” – Isaiah 4.
Moving past verse 1, lets discuss the remaining five verses. “In that day, the Branch of the Lord” provides us with several context clues. First off, the Branch of the Lord is Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 23:5-6 says, “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The Lord our righteousness.'” Secondly, this section is referring again to the Christ’s return for the millennium. The vast quantity of scripture that speaks of Jesus rule during the thousand-year reign is quite astounding. Part of me finds this section redundant since it was just covered during Isaiah chapter 2. However, this section talks more about the people rather than Christ as a ruler. Some might argue that the passage does not refer to the millennium, but rather during the time of Babylon and the following years. However, this seems unlikely. Jesus, “the Branch,” had not come yet nor is the “fruit of the earth the pride and adornment of the survivors of Israel.” These two conditions have never been met simultaneously in Israel.
On the thought of redundancy, I wonder if God is trying to get our attention. When examining the context of the days leading up to “the end times,” there is clear indication throughout scripture that deception will abound and many will be deceived (Matt. 24:24). This thought leads me to two further lessons for myself: 1) pay attention to the Bible’s teachings and 2) filter out the wisdom of the world. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Often I envision “knowledge” as an academic pursuit and not a responsibility. However, it seems the Lord sees knowledge differently. Romans 12:2 states “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” This is a call to be different. In two senses are Christians supposed to be different. Once sense is this: ignorance is not “bliss.” Deliberate ignorance is disobedience. (Clearly there is a difference between “known unknowns” and “unknown unknowns;” the later of which receives much grace and mercy as the Lord reveals these “unknown unknowns.”) Proverbs 1:29-32 says that those who “hated knowledge” and did not “fear the Lord” will “eat the fruit of their ways; “The waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” (vs32). This is perhaps a connection between last chapter and this: “They had it coming.” The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7) which is how we, as Christians are transformed to understand God’s will. It is a fascinating cycle that God has created.
Tying these lessons to Isaiah and Revelation end times, Isaiah chapter 3 displays the “fools” and shows their consequences. The people of Isaiah chapter 3 did not seek the knowledge of God but walked away from God. They disregarded the commandments of the Lord and didn’t heed his warnings. According to Matthew 24, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that deception will rise. Living in America, I think that complacency is extremely tempting. It is so easy to be the “millennial” generation. Let the others care for my needs and spoon feed me all my life. Yet, God’s call is very different. The life God offers is filled with risk, struggle, growth and purpose. Life doesn’t fall into our laps, life is pursued. That drive is beautiful. The reward is also fantastic. Rather than falling into despondency, decay, despair and death, those that follow Christ will be called “holy” because we have life. Life, such a precious and scarcely valued gift.
Isaiah chapter 4 spends a good deal discussing those that will be in Israel during Jesus’ reign. However, to spur the imagination, I want to quote Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” For a thousand years! My brain cannot fathom living that long. Think, if George Washington where still alive, he would only be a quarter of the way through his life today; approximately 250 years old and still have another 750 years to go! It is amazing to contemplate. Granted, I am excited for the New Heavens and New Earth, but just imagining living for 1000 years on this earth with Christ is absolutely astounding. Needless to say, I cannot wait for Christ to return and rule this earth! How fantastic and amazing it will be to follow him as King.
