Glory is Here…and Coming

Isn’t it just like our merciful God to deliver good news on the heels of some pretty tough news? His tough words delivered through the prophets always led to hope-filled words.

Israel was experiencing some hard consequences. But God gave them hope for their future. His promises weren’t just a balm for their anxious minds but strength to galvanize faith.

After reading a difficult message in chapter three of Isaiah, there is glory to be unmined in chapter four. Where God named the unhealthy things He would take away, like trinkets and accessories (3:18-25), He further pronounced another removal. He proclaimed the Lord “will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem” (4:4).

The city would be cleansed and God Himself would come to dwell among them.

God extended a Branch, a glorious Messianic hope. And He declared that the city would be called holy (4:3). Because where the Branch is, there is holiness. His imputed holiness.

The Lord of Righteousness washes and cleanses—but at the great price of “judgment and burning” He took upon Himself (4:4).

Like Father, like Son. God gave Himself to the world, as has Jesus.

God gave Israel a Messianic hope. And then the promise of a new exodus. God spoke these unimaginable, inconceivable words of comfort: “Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain” (4:5-6).

Isaiah 4 is a short chapter—just 6 verses. But it’s packed with riches! It’s filled to the brim with the promise of God’s presence and protection. And it has come to fruition in Jesus.

Glory has come. And Glory is coming!

Israel was going through a really rough time, experiencing some tough consequences they brought upon themselves. But God wanted them to see beyond it, to glory ahead.

That Glory, Jesus Christ, has come. And He has accomplished everything promised. To those who are His He offers another promise of glory. A glory to so fill the new heavens and earth there’ll be no need of the sun.

Yes, we know it isn’t always easy to look beyond overwhelming difficulty. We know how dreadfully dark this world is. And how life can be exponentially excruciating. But truth—and the promise—remain. And it gives us hope for our future…as it did our forefathers in the faith.