The prophet Isaiah wrote, “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” (Isaiah 4:1). Although the message of Isaiah 3:16 to 4:1 was originally given to the people of Jerusalem living in the prophet’s own time, it has a message of truth to our modern times.
The seven women
Some Bible students have interpreted the words of Isaiah in chapter 4:1 to point to the Christian church today. They believe that the “seven women” represent nominal Christians, and the “one man,” points to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
These add that these women “take hold” of Christianity, not in sincerity but superficially, for selfish benefits only. The seven women represent the five foolish virgins in the parable of Jesus (Matthew 25:1–13). These virgins were not wise in that they failed to submit their hearts to the convictions of the Holy Spirit. In this respect they are also like the stony-ground hearers (Matthew 13:5) and the man without a wedding garment (Matthew 22:11–14).
Noticeably, the seven women are fascinated by the gospel, but selfishness keeps the truth from changing their lives. And they fail to show the fruit of a Christlike character (Ezekiel 33:32; Matthew 7:21–27). Eventually, they will be among those who respond to the “peace and safety” cry (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; 28:9; Ezekiel 13:10, 16).
Their offer
In addition, the “seven women” offer to “eat” their “own bread” rather than the “true bread from heaven” (John 6:32). And they offer to “wear” their “own apparel”—the “filthy rags” of Isaiah 64:6—rather than the perfect robe of Christ’s righteousness as in the parable of the wedding feast (Matt. 22:11–12).
In conclusion, Isaiah 4:1 stresses the value of genuineness in spiritual life, as contrasting to self-righteousness and pretense. Thus, the “seven women” represent religious individuals that have “a form of godliness” but deny “the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). They may possess the external appearances of religion, such as church attendance, giving offerings, and even service for the church but they have not fully yielded their hearts to the Lord. For they didn’t permit the Holy Spirit to help them eradicate sin from their lives (Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 3:20).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
