Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 4
Overview:
The havoc occasioned
By War.
(1) The times of the
Messiah.
(2-6)
1 This first verse belongs to the third
Chapter. When the
troubles should come upon the land, as the unmarried state was
deemed reproachful among the Jews, these women would act
contrary to common usage, and seek husbands for themselves.
2-6 Not only the setting forth
Christ's kingdom in the times of
the apostles, but its enlargement
By gathering the dispersed
Jews into the
Church, is foretold.
Christ is called the
Branch
of the
Lord, being planted
By his power, and flourishing to his
praise. The
Gospel is the
Fruit of the
Branch of the
Lord; all
the graces and comforts of the
Gospel Spring from
Christ. It is
called the
Fruit of the
Earth, because it sprang up in this
world, and was suited for the present state. It will be good
evidence that we are distinguished from those merely called
Israel, if we are brought to see all beauty in
Christ, and
Holiness. As a
Type of this blessed
Day,
Jerusalem should again
flourish as a
Branch, and be blessed with the fruits of the
Earth.
God will keep for himself a holy seed. When most of those
that have a place and a name in Zion, and in
Jerusalem, shall be
cut off
By their unbelief, some shall be left. Those only that
are holy shall be left, when the
Son of Man shall gather out of
his kingdom every thing which offends.
By the
Judgment of
God's
Providence, sinners were destroyed and consumed; but
By the
Spirit of
Grace they are reformed and converted. The
Spirit
herein
Acts as a
Spirit of
Judgment, enlightening the mind,
convincing the
Conscience; also as a
Spirit of burning,
quickening and strengthening the affections, and making men
zealously affected in a good work. An ardent
Love to
Christ and
souls, and zeal against
Sin, will carry men
On with resolution
in endeavours to turn away ungodliness from
Jacob. Every
affliction serves believers as a
Furnace, to purify them from
Dross; and the convincing, enlightening, and powerful influences
of the Holy
Spirit, gradually root out their lusts, and render
them holy as He is holy.
God will protect his
Church, and all
that belong to it.
Gospel truths and ordinances are the
Glory of
the
Church.
Grace in the soul is the
Glory of it; and those that
have it are kept
By the power of
God. But only those who are
weary will seek
Rest; only those who are convinced that a storm
is approaching, will look for shelter. Affected with a
Deep
sense of the Divine displeasure, to which we are exposed
By Sin,
let us at once have recourse to
Jesus Christ, and thankfully
accept the
Refuge he affords.