Isaiah 4

— the branch of the Lord] “The Messiah of Jehovah,” says the Chaldee paraphrase. “The branch” is an appropriated title of the Messiah; and “the fruit of the earth” means the same great personage to spring from the land of Judah; or perhaps the blessings consequent upon the redemption procured by Him. Bp. Lowth.

Isaiah 4:3

3. — that is written among the living] The phrase alludes to the registers which were kept of the Jewish tribes and families. See Ezra ii. 59. 62. W. Lowth. See the note on Exod. xxii. 32.

Isaiah 4:4

4. — by the spirit of judgment, &c.] The phrase denotes the severe discrimination which God will make between the good and the bad, the pure silver and the dross, (see chap. i. 22. 25;) the better being purified, the worse consumed, in the furnace. See Ezek. xxii. 21; Mal. iii. 2, 3. W. Lowth.

Isaiah 4:5

5. — a cloud and smoke by day, &c.] This is a manifest allusion to the pillar of a cloud, and of fire, which attended the Jews in their passage out of Egypt; and to the glory that rested on the tabernacle, Exod. xl. 38. See Zech. ii. 5. Both passages mean, the visible presence of God shall protect the Church. Bp. Lowth.

Isaiah 4:6

6. And there shall be a tabernacle &c.] And whereas the Church shall be still subject to the scorching heats and tempestuous storms of persecution, God shall erect a safe tabernacle for her, to shade her from the heat, and shelter her from those violent tempests. Bp. Hall. Chap. V. This chapter stands single and alone, unconnected with the preceding or following. The subject of it is nearly the same with that of the first chapter. It is a general reproof of the Jews for their wickedness: but it exceeds that chapter in force, in severity, in variety, in elegance: and it adds a more express declaration of vengeance, by the Babylonian invasion. Bp. Lowth. Ver. 1. Now will I sing to my wellbeloved] The Prophet here speaking in the person of God the Father, directs this hymn, or parable poetically expressed, to his “wellbeloved,” that is, Christ. See Matt. iii. 17; xvii. 5; Col. i. 13. W. Lowth, Dr. Wells. Our Lord Christ in the evangelical style is called “the beloved Son of God, in whom He is well pleased.” The Church of those times is called here the vineyard of the Son, because, as the Father created all things by Him, so by Him He has always governed all things, and more especially his Church. To this agrees that saying of St. Paul, that “Christ accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness,” and that of St. Peter, that “the Spirit of Christ spake by the prophets.” Indeed, as the eternal Son of the Father, He presides over all things, “God blessed for ever,” as St. Paul speaks, Rom. ix. 5; and has always had the peculiar care and conduct of the patriarchs and chosen people of God. Reading.