Isaiah chapter four is a chapter of hope. Much of it is hard to understand, and it is a prophecy. Yet, it does give a picture of hope and restoration for God’s people.
The fourth chapter of Isaiah starts out with this unusual verse, “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” (verse one). Some believe that this verse is actually a conclusion of the previous chapter. However, that does not really make sense. The previous chapter is about judgment on Israel. This chapter is about Israel’s restoration. Verse one of chapter four starts out “in that day,” and this theme continues in verse two which also repeats, “in that day.” Because this is a chapter on restoration, we do know that, after the daughters of Zion are humbled by the Lord and judged, there will be a time of restoration. It also appears that few men will survive the time of judgment. Therefore, several women will seek to be called by a man’s name because not being married was a reproach. This verse does, however, appear to also be a prophecy of a day yet to come.
As I looked through some commentaries, I saw two main theories regarding verse one. One theory is that the “women” mentioned here refer to Israel and the time when they will once again be “married” to God, that is they will renew their covenant with God and they and their land will be restored to its former glory. This makes sense and seems to fit with the rest of the chapter.
As we continue the chapter, there is more good news for the people of Israel, “In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” (Isaiah 4:2). The “branch” here refers to the Messiah, and this and passages in Jeremiah evidently refer to the time that the Messiah will come to judge the earth and to set up His reign upon the earth. Jeremiah 23:5 says, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” What will this branch do? The next verse explains, “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:6) This "Branch" brings safety and righteousness to Israel. “The Branch” is also mentioned in Jeremiah 33:15, “In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.” Again, God gives this promise, “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:16) Notice the similarity in language between these verses and that used in Isaiah chapter four – “in those days,” “at that time.” There is coming a time when everything will be wonderful for Israel and they will be restored to their land and to their former glory.
What will be the condition of the people “in that day”? In chapter three we saw a picture of Israel in their rebellion and wickedness. In this chapter, we see what it will be like when they come back to the Lord and are restored by Him, “3) And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: 4) When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” (Isaiah 2:3,4) “At that time,” the people of Israel will be clean and purged and they will be called holy. The filth of their sin will be washed away and the scourge of bloodshed and the blood-guiltiness of Jerusalem will be purged from them. They will no longer be seen as rebellious and wicked but as holy and spotless before God.
In verses five and six, we see that God will be the protector of the Israelites, and He will be their glory, “5) And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 6) And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” This is a reminder of what God did for Israel in the wilderness. He protected them from the Egyptians by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. At the time mentioned in these verses here in Isaiah, God will put a pillar of cloud by day and a flaming fire by night above every dwelling place in mount Zion and above all her assemblies. His glory will be there, and He will be their defense and place of refuge. No heat or evil will be able to come to them because He will be a shadow for them and a shelter from the storm, and they will be kept safe by the cloud and fire of His glory.
~As a cross reference, study Isaiah chapter 32