Isa 4:2-6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 4:2-6: 4:2-6 In bold contrast to the desperate picture of 3:16–4:1 , this prophecy of salvation and hope (see also 2:2-4 ) promised cleansing, consecration, and the renewal of God’s presence with the remnant. The imagery in 4:5-6 alludes to Israel’s exodus from Egypt, when a pillar of cloud and of fire guided and protected them. Israel’s restoration from exile would be a second exodus. 4:2 The branch in this context probably refers to the remnant that would constitute Israel’s new beginning after the Exile (see 6:13 ). Some also understand it as representing the ideal descendant of David, the Messiah (see 11:1 ; Jer 23:5 ; 33:15-16 ; Zech 3:8 ; 6:12 ). • A beautiful and glorious transformation from shame and disgrace (Isa 3:17-25 ) to fertility and beauty would manifest God’s presence and blessing among the remnant (4:6 ). • The fruit of the land , nature itself, would also be transformed from desolation to glory. Elsewhere, Isaiah described the future circumstances as resembling the Garden of Eden (see 51:3 ; 65:22 ). The message of renewal finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new creation (see Rom 8:19-27 ; 2 Cor 5:17 ; Gal 6:15 ; Eph 2:15 ; 4:24 ; Rev 21:22-27 ). • Those who survive in Israel —the remnant

Summary for Isa 4:2-6: 4:2-6 ^a In bold contrast to the desperate picture of 3:16–4:1 ^b, this prophecy of salvation and hope (see also 2:2-4 ^c) promised cleansing, consecration, and the renewal of God’s presence with the remnant. The imagery in 4:5-6 ^d alludes to Israel’s exodus from Egypt, when a pillar of cloud and of fire guided and protected them. Israel’s restoration from exile would be a second exodus. 4:2 ^e The branch in this context probably refers to the remnant that would constitute Israel’s new beginning after the Exile (see 6:13 ^f). Some also understand it as representing the ideal descendant of David, the Messiah (see 11:1 ^g; Jer 23:5 ^h; 33:15-16 ⁱ; Zech 3:8 ^j; 6:12 ^k).

• A beautiful and glorious transformation from shame and disgrace (Isa 3:17-25 ^l) to fertility and beauty would manifest God’s presence and blessing among the remnant (4:6 ^m).

• The fruit of the land, nature itself, would also be transformed from desolation to glory. Elsewhere, Isaiah described the future circumstances as resembling the Garden of Eden (see 51:3 ⁿ; 65:22 ^o). The message of renewal finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new creation (see Rom 8:19-27 ^p; 2 Cor 5:17 ^q; Gal 6:15 ^r; Eph 2:15 ^s; 4:24 ^t; Rev 21:22-27 ^u).

• Those who survive in Israel—the remnant—would be the true citizens of Zion.
4:3 ^v To be holy was the requirement for citizenship in Zion, where God dwells in his glorious majesty (see 6:3 ^w; Heb 12:14 ^x).

• The remnant would have their names recorded among the living in the Book of Life (Exod 32:32 ^y; Dan 12:1 ^z; Mal 3:16 ^aa; Rev 3:5 ^ab; 20:12 ^ac).
4:4 ^ad God’s judgment has a purifying effect on his covenant people (see Mal 3:3 ^ae). Justice must be satisfied before restoration can be offered.
4:5 ^af The references to a canopy of cloud ... and smoke and flaming fire recall God’s continuous presence and protection during the exodus from Egypt (Exod 13:21-22 ^ag; 14:21-22 ^ah).
4:6 ^ai shelter (literally shadow; see 32:2 ^aj): See 32:2 ^ak; God’s protection would keep the remnant safe from enemies and from the destruction he would bring on the wicked (33:14-16 ^al).