aspect, just as in 2: 6-22, we had their failure in the matter of worship and true religion.

To complete the picture of Israel's degradation we have their moral failure set forth in

Isa. 3: 15 - 4: 1. Here the daughters of Zion come before us with their wanton eyes and

mincing steps, chains, bracelets, veils, rings, jewels and perfumes. In the case of the

men, their idolatry is expressed in terms of treasures, chariots, high towers, fenced walls,

and ships of Tarshish (2: 7, 15, 16); in the case of the women, it is expressed in terms of

self-adornment and its immoral accompaniments (3: 16-23). What a relief to turn from

this to Isa. 4: 2-6, where we have another view of the Jerusalem that is to be, when the

Lord "shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion" and, "over all the glory

shall be a marriage-canopy" (A.V. "defence": verse 5).

Isaiah rounds off this great section of his prophecy with the parable of the vineyard,

which, in spite of all the care lavished upon it, brings forth only wild grapes. Following

this parable we have a sixfold denunciation (verses 8, 11, 18, 20, 21, and 22), and the

chapter concludes with the threat of invasion--a threat which was fulfilled when the

Assyrians entered the land.

With such an abundance of material there is always the possibility of creating

confusion by elaborate explanations. On the other hand, if any thread of teaching can be

discerned in a particular section of such a prophecy as this, it should certainly be seized

upon with gratitude. One such thread seems to be provided by the eight references to

Zion, and with these we must close.

A | 1: 8. Forsaken. The Remnant (1: 9).

B | 1: 27. Redeemed with judgment.

C | 2: 3. Law goes forth to nations.

D | 3: 16. Haughty and vain.

D | 3: 17. Smitten with scab.

C | 4: 3. Holy; those that are left in Zion.

B | 4: 4. Washed . . . . . spirit of judgment.

A | 4: 5. Defence. The Escaped (4: 2).