Praising Him in the Banquet — Isaiah 25
Isaiah described Yahweh’s shocking defeat of the earth’s ruling powers in chapter 24. Now, in chapter 25, Isaiah praises Yahweh for this victory.
He begins simply: “O Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; for You have worked wonders, counsels formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness” (1). This means that when the dust of the end-times settles, Yahweh’s perfect plan will become clear. All believers, like Isaiah, will rejoice in His victory over the world.
Next, in verses 2–5, Isaiah’s praise emphasizes Yahweh’s reversal of oppression: “You have made a city into a heap, a fortified town into a ruin … it will never be rebuilt … a strong people will glorify You; towns of ruthless nations will fear You … the song of the ruthless is silenced” (2–3, 5). Nations which are bullies in this present age will become submissive to God at His return.
On the other hand, the weak will be protected: “You have been a strong defense for the poor…for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm” (4). All governments will be replaced by His reign. Persecutions will end. Corruption will be exposed. The earth will be ruled in righteousness. This is Isaiah’s hope as he looks at the future God plans.
This will be a time of celebration, not merely justice. Verse 6 promises “a lavish banquet for all peoples” on the mountain of Jerusalem. It will include “aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, and refined, aged wine”.
Fascinatingly, God serves wine in His kingdom: “aged wine” seems to be wine left to mature along with its fermentation sediment; the second phrase “refined, aged wine” may either modify the first description or refer to wine clarified from its fermentation sediment (to learn more: shorturl.at/WvJiv). Either way, these descriptive terms imply that this is real, fermented wine. Yahweh’s abundant generosity will surely be enjoyed by all our senses.
As we consume delicacies in verse 6, Yahweh consumes sorrows in verses 7–8. First, He “swallows up” the “covering” or “veil” which is over the nations. Likewise, He “swallows up” death, tears, and reproach in verse 8. In context, verse 7 seems to refer to a veil worn in mourning in response to death, whereas verse 8 refers to death itself. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:54–57, clarifies that this refers to our resurrection, secured by the work of Christ in dying for our sins and rising from the grave. Because of Him, the sorrow of death will one day be permanently removed from humanity’s existence.
In response to all this, God’s people praise Him enthusiastically in verse 9: “Behold, this is our God in whom we have hoped that He would save us. This is Yahweh in whom we have hoped; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Notice all the praise rightly goes to Him without any pride in self or idolatry. Like Isaiah in verse 1, all believers at this time will perceive and rejoice in the abundant fulfillment of God’s promises.
Closing out the passage, in verses 10–12, Isaiah returns to the destiny of Israel’s enemies, epitomized by Moab, whose pride Isaiah already denounced in 16:6. Yahweh here expands on chapter 16, promising that He will trample Moab like straw in a manure pit (10) and bring down Moab’s “lofty pride”, “trickery”, and “walls”. This warning reminds us that God’s care for His children is as certain as His condemnation of His enemies. As His unworthy but dearly loved children, we rejoice that He will do both with perfect righteousness.
Pastor David