"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" (Isaiah 4:2).

One of the fascinating titles of the promised Messiah is that of "The Branch." Here He is called "the Branch of the LORD," along with "the fruit of the earth." As the first, He is "beautiful and glorious." As the second, He is "excellent and comely." "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem |or 'stump'| of Jesse |that is, the father of King David|, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isaiah 11:1).

In addition to the two references in Isaiah, there are two in Jeremiah and two in Zechariah. In both Jeremiah passages, He is a Branch of David. "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch" (Jeremiah 23:5). See also Jeremiah 33:15.

In Zechariah's prophecy, He is called God's servant and God's man. "For, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch" (Zechariah 3:8). "Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the LORD" (Zechariah 6:12).

This fourfold presentation of the Branch of David, the Branch as servant, the man who is the Branch, and the Branch of the Lord beautifully corresponds to the fourfold gospel depiction of Christ as King (Matthew), servant (Mark), perfect man (Luke) and Son of God (John).

Just as a branch, when it first begins to shoot forth, appears small and fragile and easily broken, so would the Messiah first appear to be inconspicuous and unattractive. "For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground" (Isaiah 53:2). Yet this same fragile branch will one day become a great vine, with innumerable branches (John 15:5) that will spread its excellent fruit throughout all the earth. HMM