Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 4:2-6

"In that day shall the branch of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. 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; 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 justice, and by the spirit of burning. And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory [shall be spread] a covering. And there shall be a pavilion for a shade in the day-time from the heat, and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain." — Isaiah 4:2-6 (ASV)

Not only the establishment of Christ's kingdom in the time of the apostles, but also its enlargement by gathering the dispersed Jews into the church, was foretold.

Christ is called the Branch of the Lord, planted by His power and flourishing to His praise. The gospel is the fruit of the Branch of the Lord; all the graces and comforts of the gospel spring from Christ. It is called the fruit of the earth because it originated in this world and was suited for the present state.

It will be good evidence that we are distinguished from those merely called Israel if we are brought to see all beauty in Christ and in holiness.

As a type of this blessed day, Jerusalem will again flourish as a branch and be blessed with the fruits of the earth. God will preserve for Himself a holy seed. When most of those who have a place and a name in Zion and in Jerusalem are cut off by their unbelief, some will be left.

Only those who are holy will be left when the Son of Man gathers out of His kingdom everything that offends. Through the judgment of God's providence, sinners were destroyed and consumed; but through the Spirit of grace, they are reformed and converted.

In this, the Spirit acts as a Spirit of judgment, enlightening the mind and convincing the conscience, and also as a Spirit of burning, reviving and strengthening the affections, and making people zealous in a good work.

An ardent love for Christ and for souls, and zeal against sin, will carry people forward with resolution in their efforts to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Every affliction serves believers as a furnace to purify them from dross; and the convincing, enlightening, and powerful influences of the Holy Spirit gradually root out their lusts and make them holy as He is holy.

God will protect His church and all who belong to it.

Gospel truths and ordinances are the glory of the church. Grace in the soul is its glory, and those who have it are kept by the power of God.

But only those who are weary will seek rest; only those who are convinced that a storm is approaching will look for shelter.

Affected by a deep sense of the divine displeasure to which we are exposed by sin, let us immediately turn to Jesus Christ and thankfully accept the refuge He offers.