Read Isaiah 3 and 4 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
3:1-12 {p} The desolation of Jerusalem and Judah because their words + actions are against YHVH
3:13-15 {s} YHVH will enter into judgment with the elders who have oppressed His people
3:16-17 {s} The haughty daughters of Zion
3:18-4:1 {s} YHVH will take away their finery and their men
4:2-6 {p} The Branch glorious; the filth of Zion purged; His presence, a place of refuge
The Strong themes:
3:13-4:6 {sx3+p} Judgment of the wicked and haughty, restoration of Zion under the Branch
Judah and Jerusalem have had a persistent idolatry, unrighteousness problem. We saw when we were studying Kings, that no matter how may times righteous kings were raised up (Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah) the nation always returned to covenant unfaithfulness.
But YHVH has been revealing His solution in degrees from the opening chapter of Isaiah.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says YHVH, “though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18
“… I will thoroughly purge your dross as with lye, and I will take away all your alloy. And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Isa 1:25-26
When dross is purged from ore, the pure silver remains. When sin is purged from the people, the city of righteousness shines forth.
And many peoples shall go and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of YHVH … He shall teach us from His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” Isa 2:3
Who is the He who shall teach His people from His ways, so that they walk in His paths? Isaiah is going to reveal Him.
“Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isa 3:10-11
Righteous deeds will preserve the righteous, wicked deeds will consume the wicked. Either way, the sin will be cleansed.
And YHVH will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all, the glory shall be a canopy. Isa 4:5
YHVH’s presence in the cloud by day and the fire by night hovered over the tabernacle during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. His presence went with them and gave them rest (Exo 33:14). Likewise, when Jerusalem is purged of sin, the holy remnant who remain in Mount Zion will dwell under His presence like a canopy.
When I received Messiah Yeshua for my Savior, His blood purged me of my sins, and His presence came and dwelt within me (Rev 3:20). His presence with me has been transforming me every day for over five decades that I have walked with Him, and He has given me rest. And He will to you, too. ♥
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