Westhill Church | Church in Auburn WA

The WEekly Word

A Blog of Encouragement from our Pastors

weekly word – 10/08/2026

Praising Him in the Celebration – Isaiah 27

Isaiah 24–27 shows what happens on the day of Yahweh. Some call it Isaiah’s ‘Little Apocalypse’ because of how similar it is to the book of Revelation:

- Chapter 24 shows Him destroying the evil world system.

- Chapter 25 shows Him bringing Jerusalem’s restoration.

- Chapter 26 shows believing Jews worshipping Him in response.

Chapter 27 depicts the final stages of that great and awesome day. Specifically, we see God bring renewal to Israel and the world.

The chapter begins with Yahweh killing the serpent with His sword in verse 1. This reminds us that the one who spoke to Adam and Eve through a serpent will roam the earth until Christ’s return, deceiving unbelievers and accusing believers. In order to bring His kingdom, Yahweh removes him from the earth. Revelation 20:1–3 likewise tells us that he will be bound in the abyss for 1,000 years.

Next, He rejoices over Israel with a song in verses 2–5. The song characterizes Israel as a fruitful vineyard. It’s the opposite of His vineyard song for Israel in Isaiah 5. In that song, Israel only produces worthless grapes, so He stops tending to it, letting the ground produce briars and thorns.

But in chapter 27, which is about repentant Israel, we see that Yahweh delights in it, waters it, tends it, and protects it. Thus instead of producing bad grapes, it will “take root”, “blossom and bud”, and then “fill the whole world with produce” (6). That final line reminds us of God’s promise to Abraham stated in Genesis 12:3, that “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed”.

This reversal indicates that the same nation that betrayed Yahweh for other gods will one day bear the spiritual fruit He intends to produce: love and faith in Him. This fruit will be enjoyed by the whole world.

Next, Isaiah praises Yahweh’s patient grace for Israel in verses 7–9. He observes that God didn’t eradicate Israel as He did their oppressors (7). He punished Israel by “driving them away”, “making them forlorn”, and expelling them from their land (8). He did this to cause them to repent, leading to His atonement for their iniquity and their turning from sin and idolatry (9).

On the other hand, as Isaiah looks out at the rest of the unsaved world in verses 10–11, he sees a “fortified city” that could not hold back Yahweh’s wrath. This city was much like the fortified city we saw in Isaiah 25:2, trying to hold out against God’s attack. It is now “a haunt”, “forlorn and forsaken like the desert” with calves stripping tree branches perhaps due to the absence of grass (10). Likewise, its people are shown gathering twigs to make a small fire, a poignant picture of a desolate nation.

Why do they suffer like this? These are the effects of embracing idolatry. They didn’t have “discernment”, so they cut themselves off from the compassion and grace they could have had from their Creator (11).

Finally, Yahweh will establish the world in true worship in verses 12–13. He begins by “threshing”, or sorting, all those “from the flowing stream of the River [Euphrates] to the brook of Egypt” and gathering His people (12). This means God will judge all the inhabitants living within God’s boundary for Israel according to Genesis 15:18 and Numbers 34:5.

Jesus says the same thing in Matthew 25:31–46. Of all who live on the earth, only believers will be allowed to live in His kingdom (see also Ezekiel 20:37–38; Zechariah 13:8–9).

Then He will call the world to Jerusalem with a “great trumpet”. He will summon “those who were perishing in the land of Assyria” and “banished in the land of Egypt” that they may also worship and celebrate Him in Jerusalem (13). Not only Jews, but Gentiles will join this celebration (Isaiah 25:6–9).

What’s the ultimate goal of the Day of Yahweh? Worship. God wants the world’s undivided praise. This chapter has shown why: He will defeat our accuser, bring us atonement, show patience and grace so that we repent, and return as promised to bring all who believe into His glorious and eternal kingdom.

Pastor David

10/01/2026 – Praising Him in the Waiting Room - Isaiah 26 – David

9/24/2026 – Praising Him in the Banquet - Isaiah 25 – David

9/17/2026 – Praising Him in the Rubble - Isaiah 24 – David

9/10/2026 – God's Long-Term Politics - Isaiah 23 – David

9/3/2026 – Depend on Him - Isaiah 22:15-25 – David

8/27/2026 – A Leadership Lesson from Jesus – Bryan

8/20/2026 – Ahab's Fatal Flaw

8/13/2026 – The Valley of Vision - Isaiah 22:1-14

8/6/2026 – Details on the Legacy Standard Bible

7/30/2026 – The Aftermath of Babylon's Collapse - Isaiah 21

7/23/2026 – God's Prophecy for Egypt and Cush - Isaiah 20