Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Isaiah 4:6

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Isaiah 4:6. A tabernacle — In countries subject to violent tempests, as well as to intolerable heat, a portable tent is a necessary part of a traveller's baggage, for defence and shelter. And to such tents the words of the text make evident allusion. They are to be met with in every part of Arabia and Egypt, and in various other places in the East.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

New life (4:2-6)

Having judged his people and removed sin, God blesses the righteous that remain. This new blessing is symbolized by a tree that bursts into new life and by a field that brings fresh growth. A new Israel is born where the people of God are those whom he has saved and made holy (2-4). In the new Jerusalem God dwells among and protects his people in a relationship far more wonderful than in previous times (5-6).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

"And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach. "In that day shall the branch of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flame of fire by night; for over all the glory shall be spread a covering. And there shall be a pavilion for a shade in the day-time from the heat, and for a refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain."

Isaiah 4:1 is joined to Isaiah 3 in most versions of the Bible, because it is further prophecy of the ruin of the chosen people. What is meant is that at the time of fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, men shall be so scarce, having been slain in war, that seven women desiring to have children to take away their reproach would offer to eat their own bread and provide their own clothing, if only the available man would have children by them and thus take their reproach away. Every Jewish woman considered childlessness the most terrible earthly reproach.

"The general tenor of this chapter, in its context, is that salvation lies on the far side of judgment. Israel's glory must be that of new growth after destruction, and of holiness after a fiery cleansing, and of God's `Shekinah' - His manifested presence, as in the Exodus days."Derek Kidner, New Bible Commentary Revised, p. 593,

Isaiah 4:5 here recalls the days during Israel's wilderness wanderings when the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were constant witnesses of the presence and power of God to protect his people.

Isaiah 4:2 in this chapter mentions "the Branch of Jehovah," using exactly the same word that is found in Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; and Zechariah 6:12, where in every instance the plain reference is to the Messiah; and it is our firm conviction that there is no reason to drop the capital letter and downgrade this reference to the fertility of the land or to anything else. We are aware, of course, of the radically conflicting views of commentators on this; and we shall note each position.

Kidner has this:

"Branch is a misleading term for `the shoot of new growth' which is paralleled by `the fruit of the land.' The point is that Israel must be reborn: from her roots a new crop must spring up when judgment has removed all her present glory and all but a few survivors. It is the renewed community that is in mind at this point; later, it will emerge that One Man will be this new growth."Ibid., p. 594.

We acknowledge that many commentators follow this line, thus editing out of the sacred Old Testament another plain reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is what is wrong with the viewpoint: (1) We do not allow that Kidner, or any other scholar, has the right to belittle the words of the sacred prophets as "misleading." It is the inaccurate opinion of alleged scholars that is misleading. (2) The Branch is here represented as springing up out of the ground, whereas, Isaiah noted this Branch was to be a "Branch of Jehovah," not a branch of the roots in the Old Israel, nor a branch out of the ground, but a "Branch of Jehovah!" Furthermore, in all the history of the human family, who else? pray tell, was ever a legitimate "Branch of Jehovah" except the Lord Jesus Christ? (3) Also, note the ridiculous postulation here that "Israel is to be reborn from her roots!" Contrast that impossible proposition with the statement of Jesus Christ that men must be born "from above" (John 3:3 ASV).

We are delighted that Gleason L. Archer has properly discerned the true meaning of the word "Branch" in Isaiah 4:2

"`The Branch of Jehovah' (American Standard Version) refers to Christ himself, as the descendant of the promised line of David. The same word, literally sprout is used with reference to Messiah in Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; and Zechariah 6:12...Note that the ultimate prosperity is promised only to the escaped of Israel, although the nation as a whole must be rejected for disobedience. Only those who have been sanctified by the new birth, and inwardly transformed to mirror forth Christ's holiness will be enrolled as citizens in the spiritual Jerusalem."Gleason L. Archer, Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, p. 615.

That this is indeed the true meaning of the passage is indicated in what immediately follows in Isaiah 5, where it is revealed that the Old Israel, the vineyard of the Lord, is no true vine at all, but a corrupt or degenerate vine, carrying the simple meaning that no "sprout" from that evil vine could be the Branch spoken of here. All of this becomes crystal clear in the light of Jesus' teaching in John 15:1 ff. Jesus alone is the "true vine," the new sprout, not off the old vine, but from God Himself as given to men in the person of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

There is also a contrast in this short chapter (Isaiah 4) between the "filth of the daughters of Zion" and the glorious beauty that shall pertain to the glorified remnant of Israel in the new kingdom of Messiah.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

And there shall be a tabernacle - The reference here is to the “tabernacle,” or sacred “tent” that God directed Moses to make in the wilderness. The image of the cloudy pillar mentioned in the previous verses, seems to have suggested to the mind of the prophet the idea of the tabernacle over which that pillar rested. The principal idea here is, however, not a tabernacle as a symbol of the divine protection, or of divine worship, but of a place of refuge from a tempest; that is, that they should be “safe” under his protection. In Eastern countries they dwelt chiefly in tents. The idea is, therefore, that God would furnish them a place of shelter, a hiding-place from the storm.

In the daytime from the heat - The heat in those regions was often very intense, particularly in the vast plains of sand. The “idea” here is, therefore, one that is very striking. It means, that God would furnish to them a refuge that would be like the comfort derived from a tent in a burning desert.

For a place of refuge - A place to which to flee in the midst of a storm, as a tent would be.

A covert - A place of retreat, a safe place to retire to. The figure used here is not unfrequently employed in the prophets; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 32:2. In eastern countries this idea would be very striking. While traversing the burning sands of a desert, exposed to the rays of a tropical sun, nothing could be more grateful than the cool shadow of a rock. Such figures are, therefore, common in oriental writings, to denote protection and agreeable shelter from calamities; see the note at Isaiah 32:2. The idea in these verses is:

(1) That God will be a defender of his people.

(2) That he will protect their families, and that his blessing will be upon their dwelling-places; compare the note at Isaiah 59:21.

(3) They may expect his blessing on their religious assemblies.

(4) God, through the promised Messiah, would be a refuge and defense.

The sinner is exposed to the burning wrath of God, and to the storms of divine vengeance that shall beat forever on the naked soul in hell. From all this burning wrath, and from this raging tempest, the Messiah is the only refuge. Through him God forgives sin; and united to him by faith, the soul is safe. There are few images more beautiful than this. Soon the storms of divine vengeance will beat on the sinner. God will summon him to judgment. But then, he who has fled to the Messiah - the Lord Jesus - as the refuge of his soul, shall be safe. He shall have nothing to fear, and in his arms shall find defense and salvation.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

6.And a covering in the day-time shall be a shadow from the heat. Though the Prophet confirms what we have already noticed, that God will be our perpetual guide till he has brought us to the end of our journey, yet we are reminded that believers will always be exposed to numerous calamities. Scorching heat, and piercing cold, and still heavier distresses, press on them severely; when they escape from one danger, they meet with another. But the highest consolation is that against every inconvenience the shadow of the Lord will of itself be sufficient; for it will cover them in such a manner that nothing can injure or do them any harm. Although, therefore, various calamities and afflictions surround us on every side, still the Lord promises that he will assist us; as it is said in the Psalm,

The sun shall not scorch thee by day, nor the moon by night; for the Lord will preserve thee from all evil. (Psalms 121:6.)

Nothing more is necessary than that we follow our calling, and perform our duty faithfully. It belongs equally to the condition of the good and of the bad that they suffer many inconveniencies; but bad men have no refuge, no place of concealment in which they may hide themselves, and they must be utterly overwhelmed. But blessed is the condition of the godly; for although they endure heat and cold, still they have a safe refuge in God. But that glory of which we formerly spoke must shine in us; otherwise we shall have no share in these things; and if we carry about with us God’s mark, whenever we shall be assailed by a tempest, let us rest assured that he will be our protection.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 4

Now Isaiah looks on through the Lord to the future.

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and we will wear our own clothes; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach ( Isaiah 4:1 ).

It was a reproach to a woman in those days, of course, not to bear a child. But there will be a shortage of men, so seven women will take hold of one man and say, "Hey, we'll take care of ourselves. We'll provide our own food and everything else, but we want you to take away our reproach and give your name really to our child."

But in that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful ( Isaiah 4:2 )

The branch of the Lord, of course, is one of the terms by which Christ is described, the branch of Jehovah. He is called, actually, the branch of David, and Jehovah's servant, the Branch, in Zechariah and the term branch is used many times in reference to Jesus Christ.

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from the storm and from the rain ( Isaiah 4:2-6 ).

So going ahead again from the darkness of the impending judgment and the long period of time in which the Gentiles shall rule to the day of the Lord when He shall once again rule, and Israel and Jerusalem shall be blessed in the center of God's righteous reign upon the earth. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

3. God’s determination for Israel 4:2-6

Having begun this oracle by clarifying God’s desire for Israel (Isaiah 2:1-4), the prophet proceeded to contrast her present condition. She depended on people rather than Himself, a condition that would result in divine discipline (Isaiah 2:5 to Isaiah 4:1). Next, and in conclusion, he revealed that God would indeed bring what He determined for His chosen people to completion in the future (Isaiah 4:2-6). Israel’s destiny would be glorious-in spite of intervening judgment.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

God definitely would not abandon His people Israel in the coming judgment, but would share His presence with them and care for them by providing protection and guidance. Failure in leadership marked Israel in Isaiah’s day (Isaiah 3:2-7), but God Himself would lead the nation in the future. In the past, God had done this by sheltering the wilderness wanderers with a cloudy pillar, but in the future a similar covering would protect the dwellers at Mount Zion. The daughters of Jerusalem tried desperately to secure husbands (Isaiah 4:1), but God Himself would finally provide a marriage canopy (chamber) for His beloved in the future.

The same fire that judged His people, God Himself, would warm and protect them in all of their circumstances (cf. Psalms 91). He would control the forces of nature that the pagans believed the gods controlled. The Israelites saw a literal cloudy pillar in the wilderness, and perhaps this one in the future will be literal too, symbolic of His presence.

This oracle (Isaiah 2:1 to Isaiah 4:6) reveals events that would happen in a "day" yet future from Isaiah’s perspective. History has shown that some of the predictions of judgment found partial fulfillment in the exiles of Israel that preceded Messiah’s appearing. However, most of the judgment, and all the blessing connected to Messiah, lies in the future from our perspective (cf. Matthew 24:4-30). It is mainly the Tribulation, and Messiah’s blessing of Israel in the Millennium to follow, that is in view here.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And there shall be a tabernacle,.... Christ, who tabernacled in our nature, and is the minister of the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and not man; who will be spiritually present in the word and ordinances, where the shepherds pitch their tents; and who will be that to his people as shepherds' tents are to them, to which the allusion is:

for a shadow in the day time from the heat: from the heat of a fiery law, which works wrath; from the flaming sword of justice, which calls for vengeance; from the wrath of God, which is poured forth like fire; from Satan's temptations, compared to fiery darts; and from the violence of persecution; for there will be no more after the last struggle of the beast, and the slaying of the witnesses:

and for a place of refuge; until the indignation be over and past: as Christ is a refuge for sensible sinners to flee unto for safety, from avenging justice, and the wrath of God; so he is a place of security, and has his chambers of safety for saints, from all dangers, and from every enemy, Isaiah 26:20:

and for a covert from storm and from rain; from the blast of the terrible ones, the antichristian powers, which will be as a storm against a wall, Isaiah 25:4 this will be the hour of temptation, which will come upon and try them that dwell upon the earth, from which Christ will preserve his faithful ones, Revelation 3:10.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.   3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:   4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.   5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.   6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

      By the foregoing threatenings Jerusalem is brought into a very deplorable condition: every thing looks melancholy. But here the sun breaks out from behind the cloud. Many exceedingly great and precious promises we have in these verses, giving assurance of comfort which may be discerned through the troubles, and of happy days which shall come after them, and these certainly point at the kingdom of the Messiah, and the great redemption to be wrought out by him, under the figure and type of the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem by the reforming reign of Hezekiah after Ahaz and the return out of their captivity in Babylon; to both these events the passage may have some reference, but chiefly to Christ. It is here promised, as the issue of all these troubles,

      I. That God will raise up a righteous branch, which shall produce fruits of righteousness (Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 4:2): In that day, that same day, at that very time, when Jerusalem shall be destroyed and the Jewish nation extirpated and dispersed, the kingdom of the Messiah shall be set up; and then shall be the reviving of the church, when every one shall fear the utter ruin of it.

      1. Christ himself shall be exalted. He is the branch of the Lord, the man the branch; it is one of prophetical names, my servant the branch (Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12), the branch of righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15), a rod out of the stem of Jesse and a branch out of his roots (Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 11:1), and this, as some think, is alluded to when he is called a Nazarene,Matthew 2:23. Here he is called the branch of the Lord, because planted by his power and flourishing to his praise. The ancient Chaldee paraphrase here reads it, The Christ, or Messiah, of the Lord. He shall be the beauty, and glory, and joy. (1.) He shall himself be advanced to the joy set before him and the glory which he had with the Father before the world was. He that was a reproach of men, whose visage was marred more than any man's, is now, in the upper world, beautiful and glorious, as the sun in his strength, admired and adored by angels. (2.) He shall be beautiful and glorious in the esteem of all believers, shall gain an interest in the world, and a name among men above every name. To those that believe he is precious, he is an honour (1 Peter 2:7), the fairest of ten thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10), and altogether glorious. Let us rejoice that he is so, and let him be so to us.

      2. His gospel shall be embraced. The success of the gospel is the fruit of the branch of the Lord; all the graces and comforts of the gospel spring from Christ. But it is called the fruit of the earth because it sprang up in this world and was calculated for the present state. And Christ compares himself to a grain of wheat, that falls into the ground and dies, and so brings forth much fruit,John 12:24. The success of the gospel is represented by the earth's yielding her increase (Psalms 67:6), and the planting of the Christian church is God's sowing it to himself in the earth,Hosea 2:23. We may understand it of both the persons and the things that are the products of the gospel: they shall be excellent and comely, shall appear very agreeable and be very acceptable to those that have escaped of Israel, to that remnant of the Jews which was saved from perishing with the rest in unbelief, Romans 11:5. Note, If Christ be precious to us, his gospel will be so and all its truths and promises--his church will be so, and all that belong to it. These are the good fruit of the earth, in comparison with which all other things are but weeds. It will be a good evidence to us that we are of the chosen remnant, distinguished from the rest that are called Israel, and marked for salvation, if we are brought to see a transcendent beauty in Christ, and in holiness, and in the saints, the excellent ones of the earth. As a type of this blessed day, Jerusalem, after Sennacherib's invasion and after the captivity in Babylon, should again flourish as a branch, and be blessed with the fruits of the earth. Compare Isaiah 37:31; Isaiah 37:32. The remnant shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. And if by the fruit of the earth here we understand the good things of this life, we may observe that these have peculiar sweetness in them to the chosen remnant, who, having a covenant--right to them, have the most comfortable use of them. If the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious in our eyes, even the fruit of the earth also will be excellent and comely, because then we may take it as the fruit of the promise, Psalms 37:16; 1 Timothy 4:8.

      II. That God will reserve to himself a holy seed, Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 4:3. When the generality of those that have a place and a name in Zion and in Jerusalem shall be cut off as withered branches, by their own unbelief, yet some shall be left. Some shall remain, some shall still cleave to the church, when its property is altered and it has become Christian; for God will not quite cast off his people,Romans 11:1. There is here and there one that is left. Now, 1. This is a remnant according to the election of grace (as the apostle speaks, Romans 11:5), such as are written among the living, marked in the counsel and fore-knowledge of God for life and salvation, written to life (so the word is), designed and determined for it unalterably; for "what I have written I have written." Those that are kept alive in killing dying times were written for life in the book of divine Providence; and shall we not suppose those who are rescued from a greater death to be such as were written in the Lamb's book of life?Revelation 13:8. As many as were ordained unto eternal life believed to the salvation of the soul,Acts 13:48. Note, All that were written among the living shall be found among the living, every one; for of all that were given to Christ he will lose none. 2. It is a remnant under the dominion of grace; for every one that is written among the living, and is accordingly left, shall be called holy, shall be holy, and shall be accepted of God accordingly. Those only that are holy shall be left when the Son of man shall gather out of his kingdom every thing that offends; and all that are chosen to salvation are chosen to sanctification. See 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4.

      III. That God will reform his church and will rectify and amend whatever is amiss in it, Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 4:4. Then the remnant shall be called holy, when the Lord shall have washed away their filth, washed it from among them by cutting off the wicked persons, washed it from within them by purging out the wicked thing. They shall not be called so till they are in some measure made so. Gospel times are times of reformation (Hebrews 9:10), typified by the reformation in the days of Hezekiah and that after captivity, to which this promise refers. Observe, 1. The places and persons to be reformed. Jerusalem, though the holy city, needed reformation; and, being the holy city, the reformation of that would have a good influence upon the whole kingdom. The daughters of Zion also must be reformed, the women in a particular manner, whom he had reproved, Isaiah 3:16; Isaiah 3:16. When they were decked in their ornaments they thought themselves wondrously clean; but, being proud of them, the prophet call them their filth, for no sin is more abominable to God than pride. Or by the daughters of Zion may be meant the country towns and villages, which were related to Jerusalem as the mother-city, and which needed reformation. 2. The reformation itself. The filth shall be washed away; for wickedness is filthiness, particularly blood-shed, for which Jerusalem was infamous (2 Kings 21:16), and which defiles the land more than any other sin. Note, The reforming of a city is the cleansing of it. When vicious customs and fashions are suppressed, and the open practice of wickedness is restrained, the place is made clean and sweet which before was a dunghill; and this is not only for its credit and reputation among strangers, but for the comfort and health of the inhabitants themselves. 3. The author of the reformation: The Lord shall do it. Reformation-work is God's work; if any thing be done to purpose in it, it is his doing. But how? By the judgment of his providence the sinners were destroyed and consumed; but it is by the Spirit of his grace that they are reformed and converted. This is the work that is done, not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6), working both upon the sinners themselves that are to be reformed and upon magistrates, ministers, and others that are to be employed as instruments of reformation. The Spirit herein acts, (1.) As a spirit of judgment, enlightening the mind, convincing the conscience,--as a spirit of wisdom, guiding us to deal prudently, (Isaiah 52:13),-- as a discerning, distinguishing, Spirit, separating between the precious and the vile. (2.) As a Spirit of burning, quickening and invigorating the afflictions, and making men zealously affected in a good work. The Spirit works as fire, Matthew 3:11. An ardent love to Christ and souls, and a flaming zeal against sin, will carry men on with resolution in their endeavours to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. See Isaiah 32:15; Isaiah 32:16.

      IV. That God will protect his church, and all that belong to it (Isaiah 4:5; Isaiah 4:6); when they are purified and reformed they shall no longer lie exposed, but God will take a particular care of them. Those that are sanctified are well fortified; for God will be to them a guide and a guard.

      1. Their tabernacles shall be defended, Isaiah 4:5; Isaiah 4:5.

      (1.) This writ of protection refers to, [1.] Their dwelling places, the tabernacles of their rest, their own houses, where they worship God alone, and with their families. That blessing which is upon the habitation of the just shall be a protection to it, Proverbs 3:33. In the tabernacles of the righteous shall the voice of rejoicing and salvation be,Psalms 118:15. Note, God takes particular cognizance and care of the dwelling-places of his people, of every one of them, the poorest cottage as well as the statliest palace. When iniquity is put far from the tabernacle the Almighty shall be its defence, Job 23:23; Job 23:26. [2.] Their assemblies or tabernacles of meeting for religious worship. No mention is made of the temple, for the promise points at a time when not one stone of that shall be left upon another; but all the congregations of Christians, though but two or three met together in Christ's name, shall be taken under the special protection of heaven; they shall be no more scattered, no more disturbed, nor shall any weapon formed against them prosper. Note, we ought to reckon it a great mercy if we have liberty to worship God in public, free from the alarms of the sword of war or persecution.

      (2.) This writ of protection is drawn up, [1.] In a similitude taken from the safety of the camp of Israel when they marched through the wilderness. God will give to the Christian church as real proofs, though not so sensible, of his care of them, as he then gave to Israel. The Lord will again create a cloud and smoke by day, to screen them from the scorching heat of the sun, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, to enlighten and warm the air, which in the night is cold and dark. See Exodus 13:21; Nehemiah 9:19. This pillar of cloud and fire interposed between the Israelites and the Egyptians, Exodus 14:20. Note, Though miracles have ceased, yet God is the same to the New-Testament church that he was to Israel of old; the very same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. [2.] In a similitude taken from the outside cover of rams' skins and badgers' skins that was upon the curtains of the tabernacle, as if every dwelling place of Mount Zion and every assembly were as dear to God as that tabernacle was: Upon all the glory shall be a defense, to save it from wind and weather. Note, The church on earth has its glory. Gospel truths and ordinances, the scriptures and the ministry, are the church's glory; and upon all this glory there is a defence, and ever shall be, for the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. If God himself be the glory in the midst of it, he will himself be a wall of fire around about it, impenetrable and impregnable. Grace in the soul is the glory of it, and those that have it are kept by the power of God as in a strong-hold, 1 Peter 1:5.

      2. Their tabernacle shall be a defence to them, Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 4:6. God's tabernacle was a pavilion to the saints (Psalms 27:5); but, when that is taken down, they shall not want a covert: the divine power and goodness shall be a tabernacle to all the saints. God himself will be their hiding-place (Psalms 32:7); they shall be at home in him, Psalms 91:9. He will himself be to them as the shadow of a great rock (Isaiah 32:2; Isaiah 32:2) and his name a strong tower,Proverbs 18:10. He will be not only a shadow from the heat in the daytime, but a covert from storm and rain. Note, In this world we must expect change of weather and all the inconveniences that attend it; we shall meet with storm and rain in this lower region, and at other times the heat of the day no less burdensome; but God is a refuge to his people in all weathers.