“In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.” ( Isaiah 4:2 ESV).
Isaiah, often called the “evangelical prophet,” recorded more Messianic prophecies than any other Old Testament writer. In this verse, Isaiah speaks of “that day”—a phrase he often used to describe the eschatological “day of the LORD,” when God intervenes to judge the wicked and to restore His people. For the remnant of Israel, this day of judgment would also be a day of hope, for God promised that His Branch would appear. Bible scholars have long identified this Branch as Christ. The title “Branch of the LORD” points to His divine origin, while the parallel phrase “fruit of the land” points to His humanity. In other words, Jesus is both heaven’s gift and earth’s Son—the divine Son of God and the human Son of Man. In contrast to the pride and sin that led to judgment, the Branch is beautiful and glorious, the pride and honor of His people. Isaiah saw in part what we now know fully: that Jesus Christ is the Branch of the LORD.
Where do we look for beauty and glory in this life? Too often, we boast in ourselves—our accomplishments, possessions, or reputations. But these things wither like grass in the scorching sun. Our pride and honor must be found in Christ alone. Just as the remnant in Isaiah’s day looked forward with hope to the coming of the Branch, we too look to Christ’s return as our Savior and King. He is the Branch that brings new life out of death and glory out of shame. On that final day of the Lord, only those who cling to Him will stand. Therefore, let us glory in Christ alone, finding in Him our true beauty, our only boast, and our everlasting hope.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for sending us the Branch, our Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive us when we boast in ourselves rather than in Him. We confess that He alone is our pride and honor. Help us, by Your Spirit, to glory in Christ above all else, and may our lives display His beauty and glory so that others might turn to Him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.