Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
Although Chapter 4 is short, it has two very important themes. The first theme is a poem about seven women latching onto one man in their desperation to be protected. The Twentieth Century, with all its mayhem and warfare, saw the development a new art genre called "The Dystopian Story". Books and movies about the world struggling to rebuild after a nuclear Apocalypse, or some natural disaster, were churned out by the hundreds. "Godzilla", "Mad Max", and "The Terminator" are examples. One that echoes this Chapter of Isaiah is "The Postman" starring Kevin Kostner. In a miserable post-apocalyptic America, the character finds a US Postal Uniform and a bunch of mail. He dons the uniform and delivers the mail to a struggling group of people. Because the uniform represents order, power, and authority, he becomes the hero and everyone clings to him for protection. The filmmaker unwittingly paints a picture of the first theme of Isaiah 4.
The second theme is prose and speaks of the "Righteous Branch" Who will be from God, and will make all things Right. This "Righteous Branch" is also mentioned later on in Isaiah, and also in the Books of Jeremiah, Zechariah, and, as a pun on "Nazarene" in the Book of Matthew. ("Nazarene" sounds like a Hebrew word for "branch"). Later, in The second section of Isaiah, we will also read the Messiah as a "sprout from dry ground" and a "shoot from the stump of Jesse". Even though the Bible was written by many people over a period of many years, it all ties together!
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS