Who Are The Seven Women Of Isa 4?
Hi C____,Hi Mike!
I have a couple of comments to make about Isaiah 4:1 and wanted to share with you and to know your thoughts on this.
Isaiah 4:1 In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, "Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won't be mocked as old maids." NLT
Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; Only let us be called by your name, To take away our reproach. NKJ
This Scripture is important to me.....and I have had different thoughts about it through the years. I remember the first time I read this, and I thought it was awful for these women to be so desperate. I wasn't married then, and I didn't think I needed to have anyone else's name, and I didn't understand the Jewish customs of that day, etc. I had my father's name and that was good enough for me.
Now, that Scripture means something entirely different to me. I think I might be like those seven women after all, and in my own clothing of filthy rags, having eaten false doctrines - my own food, food sacrificed to the idols in my heart.
I've been thinking of this all day. Since I must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God ...then this Scripture must apply to me somehow. If this Scripture is between me and God, then I must have taken Christ's name, but worn my own apparel, filthy rags for sure (my power and my will instead of God's).....I must .have fed on God's Word and then twisted it to serve myself (eating my own food) .
I am a bride, and Christ is my husband, spiritually. I am of His church. I am sure that I have been guilty, and this Scripture was speaking of me and to me.
Man is the head of the woman, and Christ is the head of man, and God is the head of Christ. Christ is the head of the church.
I think this Scripture is about submission, somehow. Christ was the most submissive man to ever walk the earth. He only did the will of the Father. This Scripture is talking about me...and about Babylon, right? Doesn't our modern church take Christ's name and then provide their own clothing (they think they are righteous in themselves with their own free will ), and they eat their own food (the traditions of men that they hold dearer than Christ's words and doctrine).
I thank God for speaking to me in this way...that I must be careful to keep His Word and His doctrine sacred, as I am called by His Name.
Someone in my Bible study told me I was symbolizing too much for the Old Testament, that Isaiah was speaking to Israel. How does that feed anyone time and time again if that's all it was??? I returned their message with Galations 4:22-26 to get them familiar with such symbolism, and reminded them it is for our admonition that it was written.
I know you are busy...and if you have time to show me what that Scripture really means, that would be such a blessing to me.
Love you all, In Christ!
C____
There really is nothing I have to add to the meaning of these verses. God has given you eyes that see that you and I are to "live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." So while your Bible study friend sees these words as applying to physical Israel, God has opened your eyes to see who Israel really is:
Gal 6:15 Certainly, it doesn't matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
Gal 6:16 Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God. (GW)
It is a rare person who knows that physical Jews are not Jews at all so far as Christ is concerned.
I am especially encouraged to see this statement:
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
We have all been guilty of thinking of ourselves as being the Israel of God when in reality we were nothing more than the Babylon of God who had carried God's children off into captivity. That is where Christianity is to this very day and it is a constant struggle to remain faithful to what scripture actually says about who is and who is not an Israelite and who is and who is not a Jew.
I thank God that He appears to have given to you a desire to be faithful to His Word in the face of so much strong delusion. I think you know that if I saw one word with which to disagree I would tell you so, but I do not.
I am especially encouraged to see this statement:
"This Scripture is talking about me...and about Babylon, right? "
Yes, those verses in Isa 4 are primarily you and me when we were in Babylon, and then secondarily they apply to those who are where we once were. The seven women of Isa. 4 are the same as the seven churches of Asia to whom the book of Revelation is addressed. They are full of all the false doctrines we have all used as our clothing instead of Christ's garments and His doctrines.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
It is a sign of maturing to be able to see God's Word in a personal way as you have used it.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike
Your brother in Christ,
Mike