Scriptures/The Bible/The Old Testament/Isaiah/4

Isaiah 4 at churchofjesuschrist.org

This chapter is also Repeated in 2 Nephi 14

1 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.

I have long interpreted this verse as prophesying a return to polygamy. Taking the approach that the women spoken of here are both real and figurative, (that Isaiah is likening how real social events are reflected in macro-scale events) we might then expect that Isaiah is also describing that 7 locations (perhaps prominent American cities, centers of religion, centers for the gathering of the Israelites; not sure what more to say on that) that have been rebellious, will turn to Christ, wholly of their own will, and not because of charitable outreach or any worldly gain.

I certainly think there will be a very literal fulfillment of this prophecy. It seems impossible to avoid the conclusion that while many men were killed in war due to wickedness, Isaiah did not describe that the wicked women would be killed but would be humbled by the loss of men. It seems evident that these women are needed to repopulate the earth, and repopulation is described as being necessary, but it leaves one to wonder at how that humbling will affect these women. Does it change their natures? If this is an effective second chance, do they deserve the second chance more than the men? Do they not generally repent? Some do die, of course, but there is definitely a greater portion of wicked women who are humbled and not killed.

See: Isaiah 32:2,12

Theme: Men Will Become Rare in the Last Days

2 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.

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.

This spirit of judgement is important, and Isaiah reminds us of its importance repeatedly. In The United States, the legislature has neglected its duty to judge and pronounce right and wrong via legislation, instead delegating this duty to unaccountable federal agencies. The Supreme Court also refuses to voice its opinion on hardly anything that is more than procedural. When the people petition for relief from corruption, they often get silence. No branch of the government takes up the duty of defending the constitution by enforcing any sort of solid opinion regarding what it means. This has left a vacuum wherein more local judges and legislators can abuse their authority all too readily. Nobody has acted against big tech in any substantive way. Left unchecked, the elites have become too eager and immodest in their abuses.

Theme: Wickedness of Women in the Last Days

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.

dwelling place: It appears, from the commentary, that this word is a word that is only ever used to refer to a temple.

defence: Apparently a canopy. Commentary suggests that this might be a later addition, but if not, the sense may be a "nuptial pavilion".

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.

And there shall be: The reading, "It shall be", is recommended by multiple commentaries.

in the daytime: Not present in the Septuagint.