Isaiah - Day 78
versebyverse | August 19, 2008 17:50
Scripture: Isaiah 4:4 (NIV): "The LORD will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire."
Thought: To me, what God does to cleanse and save us is utterly amazing!
Question: Have I let the LORD wash me?
Looking back at Isaiah 3:16 we see "the women of Zion" that are here mentioned. God's judgment and "spirit of fire" cleanses and purifies these women. God will act through these methods to re-establish Jerusalem. The washing and cleansing are done in "spirit"--not on a physical plane, but deep within the heart of a person. The idolatrous women described as having been stripped and judged will be cleansed from their "filth." Nothing, apparently, is a better representation of cleanliness and purity, from the pen of prophet Isaiah, than a "proper" woman. Virginity, chastity, morality and purity are her hallmarks.
The "stripping" aspect of judgment prepares a person for "washing." First, the vile "garments", or coverings of sin, must be taken away. As the soul is now exposed and laid open with vulnerability, the cleansing "spirit of fire" can now burn away the evil filth--the "blood stains." This "spirit" is God's spirit. We know this spirit as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can only be applied to do its work as we receive Christ as Savior, because it is only Christ's good blood that can cleanse away bad "blood stains". Thus we see the Trinity at work.
Fire is violent. It is mysterious, powerful and thorough. When God does this kind of purification work, it too is violent, cutting sharply and utilizing deep shame; it too is mysterious, transcending our explanations; it too is powerful, doing what we are unable to do, and it is thorough; doing a work that is eternally irreversible!
Prayer: Thank You, Great and Powerful God, for Your cleansing "spirit of fire"! Thank You for Your preparatory judgments! Thank You for caring enough to establish us with You in Your beautiful city! Amen.
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