Isaiah 4:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The reference to a cloud signifies relief from distress, while fire represents the manifestation of God, which brings comfort. A cloud offers relief during oppressive heat, just as a bright fire illuminates the darkness of night. The former provides shade from the heat, and the latter dispels the gloom. In this way, the manifestation of God is compared to the brightness of a flame, and the soothing presence to the sheltering shadow of a cloud.

What does the term "word come" signify? Does it refer to the time of its fulfillment, or to Him who humbled Himself to the brink of exhaustion and descended from heaven to redeem humanity? Whether one considers it as a reference to the coming of the Lord or directs it towards Christ Himself, the essence remains unchanged. When He arrived, He adorned the children of spiritual Zion and liberated Jerusalem with His grace, rendering them blessed. He became their protector, akin to the ancient cloud that once enveloped Israel in the wilderness.

The prophet declares that following the cleansing through baptism and the transformation brought by repentance, a day will arrive when all locations will be elevated like Mount Zion, becoming exalted as places where divine truths can be witnessed. After the time when 'seven women will take hold of one man,' and 'the Lord will reveal His majesty among the assembly,' the 'stronghold of Israel' will be lifted up and made glorious.

The tabernacle will return to Mount Zion, having left in the chariot that Ezekiel witnessed, and it will be enveloped by the Spirit and the unseen presence, just as the visible cloud overshadowed it during the time in the wilderness.

In Christ, a new creation has emerged (Galatians 6:15), as stated in another passage: old things have vanished; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Moreover, the LXX translates: it shall happen that every part of mount Zion and all surrounding areas shall be enveloped by a cloud during the day and illuminated by a fiery light at night. Who else shall come but He of whom it is written, the Deliverer will arrive from Zion (Isaiah 59:20, according to the LXX), and as another prophet puts it, yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not delay (Habakkuk 2:3).

The finest cleansing is that which purifies the spirit, known as the spiritual cleansing. The prophet articulates this clearly: when the Lord removes the impurities of Zion's daughters and purges the sins of Jerusalem from its midst, referring to the blood of transgression and the murders of the prophets. The Word also clarifies the nature and process of this purification, stating: by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of fire. However, the washing of the physical body may occur through the use of plain water, as is commonly seen in areas lacking proper bathing facilities.

The Lord bestowed His goodness, as seen in Psalm 84:13, because He chose to liberate humanity from the burden of betrayal through His unique Son. He granted this goodness by sanctifying the virgin womb with grace, transforming it into a dwelling for the Holy Spirit. Our earth has indeed produced its harvest (Psalm 84:13), as the virgin, who possessed a body formed from the earth, brought forth a Son who shares in divine nature with God the Father, yet is united with her in true flesh. Isaiah foretells this time of salvation, proclaiming: In that day the Branch of the Lord shall appear in beauty and honour, and the fruit of the earth in splendour.

To the holy community that will be established in Zion and its surrounding areas, both within and outside Jerusalem, the prophet assures them of safety and abundance under the Lord’s protection, symbolized here by the pillar of cloud and fire that guided the Israelites throughout their forty-year journey in the wilderness. This cloud, along with the radiance and smoke, represented the Lord's presence as He Himself directed His people through the wilderness (Num. 14:14) and shielded them from adversaries (Ex. 14:19-20). By the glorious presence of the Lord, Zion and Jerusalem will be enveloped, ensuring that the residents of this sacred site need not worry about their safety. “The Guardian of Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord will be your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will safeguard your coming and your going” (Psalm 121:4-8).