“In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious….” (Isaiah 4:2)
Branches live an important but tenuous life. Each serves a dual purpose. Its leaves spread out to gather water and light, providing nourishment to the entire plant. In return the plant pours nourishment back into the branch, producing fruit that becomes the new seed. But many branches will not achieve their end. The ravages of nature cripple their growth. They may wither rather than flourish.
The prophet now sees this powerful “branch” image. At first the context confuses us. We have been hearing of God’s coming judgment, recompense for an arrogant and rebellious people. Then suddenly we read of a glorious and fruitful Branch. The transition is abrupt. We might be tempted to think that the prophet is changing topics entirely, except that he deliberately links the two subjects together. Both the judgment and the blessing occur “in that day” (Isaiah 4:2).
What lies beneath this study in contrast? Perhaps the answer lies in the nature of the analogy itself. Having focused upon a branch of people who were withering away, the prophet now sees the branch that flourishes. For centuries, God had been cultivating His people, that one branch of humanity that He elected for special attention, who would receive the grace of His special revelation, who would know him more intimately than any other nation. Yet, despite this wealth of spiritual nourishment, they had not produced fruit. They consumed all that was given to them for themselves, and now, because of their selfish foolishness, they are about to be torn from their tree, and discarded to the fire.
However God would not allow the failure of this branch to endanger the entire plant. He would grow a new Branch, into whom He would pour new nourishment. This new Branch would not fail to produce fruit. This new fruit will be “will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.” (Isaiah 4:2) Unlike the current branch, destined for destruction, the new Branch would not glory in its own pride. It would glory in the fruit that God Himself produces, the fruit of true righteousness and holiness. “Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 4:3)
Because there are survivors, “this day” of judgment is also a day of promise. The severity of God’s judgment will not eclipse His grace. After the withering branches are pruned, seemingly small and significant twigs can grow into full maturity. The faithful few, those who will not abandon their God, those who continue to worship and trust, will in the end realize their fruitful destiny.
This message of hope and promise should resonate with us as well. As we look around us, we are well aware that humanity has fallen far short of its potential. Everywhere we see dry branches that have detached from their living source, and are quickly withering in the heat of an evil world. Each day we see the judgment of God revealed at some level and in some degree. In the same day, however, we also see those few fruitful branches who, despite the ravages of this world, cling to God for their life, who blossom with abundant fruit, and feed many with the fruit of their devotion. May we by God’s grace always cling to our life-giving source and be numbered among these branches of promise!
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About dirk
Executive Pastor
Bethany Church
Greenland, NH
Promising Branch
“In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious….” (Isaiah 4:2)
Branches live an important but tenuous life. Each serves a dual purpose. Its leaves spread out to gather water and light, providing nourishment to the entire plant. In return the plant pours nourishment back into the branch, producing fruit that becomes the new seed. But many branches will not achieve their end. The ravages of nature cripple their growth. They may wither rather than flourish.
The prophet now sees this powerful “branch” image. At first the context confuses us. We have been hearing of God’s coming judgment, recompense for an arrogant and rebellious people. Then suddenly we read of a glorious and fruitful Branch. The transition is abrupt. We might be tempted to think that the prophet is changing topics entirely, except that he deliberately links the two subjects together. Both the judgment and the blessing occur “in that day” (Isaiah 4:2).
What lies beneath this study in contrast? Perhaps the answer lies in the nature of the analogy itself. Having focused upon a branch of people who were withering away, the prophet now sees the branch that flourishes. For centuries, God had been cultivating His people, that one branch of humanity that He elected for special attention, who would receive the grace of His special revelation, who would know him more intimately than any other nation. Yet, despite this wealth of spiritual nourishment, they had not produced fruit. They consumed all that was given to them for themselves, and now, because of their selfish foolishness, they are about to be torn from their tree, and discarded to the fire.
However God would not allow the failure of this branch to endanger the entire plant. He would grow a new Branch, into whom He would pour new nourishment. This new Branch would not fail to produce fruit. This new fruit will be “will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.” (Isaiah 4:2) Unlike the current branch, destined for destruction, the new Branch would not glory in its own pride. It would glory in the fruit that God Himself produces, the fruit of true righteousness and holiness. “Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 4:3)
Because there are survivors, “this day” of judgment is also a day of promise. The severity of God’s judgment will not eclipse His grace. After the withering branches are pruned, seemingly small and significant twigs can grow into full maturity. The faithful few, those who will not abandon their God, those who continue to worship and trust, will in the end realize their fruitful destiny.
This message of hope and promise should resonate with us as well. As we look around us, we are well aware that humanity has fallen far short of its potential. Everywhere we see dry branches that have detached from their living source, and are quickly withering in the heat of an evil world. Each day we see the judgment of God revealed at some level and in some degree. In the same day, however, we also see those few fruitful branches who, despite the ravages of this world, cling to God for their life, who blossom with abundant fruit, and feed many with the fruit of their devotion. May we by God’s grace always cling to our life-giving source and be numbered among these branches of promise!
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About dirk
Executive Pastor Bethany Church Greenland, NHPosted by dirk on January 11, 2012 in Isaiah
Tags: branch, fruit, isaiah