10 – The Branch & His Kingdom

War always significantly reduces the male population (Germany was calculated to have lost 2,037,000 men and Britain 744,000 in World War I). This would also be true after the Babylonian invasion. The situation would become so desperate that the ratio of men to women would be one to seven. Without a legal protector, the position of the widow in Israelite society was precarious; she was often neglected or exploited.

The Mosaic law forbade exploiting the widow (Exodus 22:22) or taking her garment in pledge (Deuteronomy 24:17). Other laws were designed to provide her with a minimal level of support. The widow was to receive a share of the general tithe every third year (Deuteronomy 14:28.; 26:12), and she is among those for whom gleanings are to be left in the field during harvest season (Deuteronomy 24:19–21; Ruth 2:1).

In that day shall the branch of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious is a promise of the Messianic Kingdom. It is also a reference to the passages in Ezekiel's book which describe the enormous produce on the east and west side of Jerusalem upon the Millennial Mountain. The produce of the soil would become more abundant than ever before, its harvests richer, and its fruitage more luxuriant. In the Millennial Kingdom God will cause the speed of light to increase. The aspect of this that pertains to the Messianic Kingdom is the resulting increased productivity of the land and crops, the population increase and the longevity of life as it was prior to the Flood. The escaped of Israel are those who make it through the Tribulation to enjoy the Messianic Kingdom.