there's a branch coming

Isaiah 4

And seven women shall 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 shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. 

The first verse of chapter 4 continues the thought of chapter 3. God is going to confront the people with their own shame, he will cut off his support and supply. The people will be scattered and directionless, here with women desperate to associate with a man to get rid of their shame.

These descriptions are bleak, but all is not lost. God's not cutting them off forever, he's sending someone - the branch of the Lord who is beautiful, glorious and fruitful in sharp contrast to the ugly, shameful, fruitless people (us!) described in the previous chapter. Their beauty has been shown up for the ugliness that lies underneath, but he is beautiful. Their pride and impressive outward appearance has been shamed and humbled but he is glorious. Their land is dry and barren since God has withdrawn his provision, but He will be fruitful.

he will wash away the filth, he will cleanse the bloodstains. This can only happen if justice is done. A justice that we now know was gloriously done on the cross. He will become their shelter and protector again. Their only hope is God. But what a place to put your hope!