Isaiah25
New Living Translation
1O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.
2You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt.
3Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will fear you.
4But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,
5or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. As the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat, so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled.
6In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
7There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
8He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!
9In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”
10For the Lord’s hand of blessing will rest on Jerusalem. But Moab will be crushed. It will be like straw trampled down and left to rot.
11God will push down Moab’s people as a swimmer pushes down water with his hands. He will end their pride and all their evil works.
12The high walls of Moab will be demolished. They will be brought down to the ground, down into the dust.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 25.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A song of praise. (1-5). A declaration of the gospel blessings. (6-8). The destruction of the enemies of Christ's church. (9-12).
vv1-5
However this might show the deliverance of the Jews out of captivity, it looked further, to the praises that should be offered up to God for Christ's victories over our spiritual enemies, and the comforts he has provided for all believers. True faith simply credits the Lord's testimony, and relies on his truth to perform his promises. As God weakens the strong who are proud and secure, so he strengthens the weak that are humble, and stay themselves upon him. God protects his people in all weathers. The Lord shelters those who trust in him from the insolence of oppressors. Their insolence is but the noise of strangers; it is like the heat of the sun scorching in the middle of the day; but where is it when the sun is set? The Lord ever was, and ever will be, the Refuge of distressed believers. Having provided them a shelter, he teaches them to flee unto it.
vv6-8
The kind reception of repentant sinners, is often in the New Testament likened to a feast. The guests invited are all people, Gentiles as well as Jews. There is that in the gospel which strengthens and makes glad the heart, and is fit for those who are under convictions of sin, and mourning for it. There is a veil spread over all nations, for all sat in darkness. But this veil the Lord will destroy, by the light of his gospel shining in the world, and the power of his Spirit opening men's eyes to receive it. He will raise those to spiritual life who were long dead in trespasses and sins. Christ will himself, in his resurrection, triumph over death. Grief shall be banished; there shall be perfect and endless joy. Those that mourn for sin shall be comforted. Those who suffer for Christ shall have consolations. But in the joys of heaven, and not short of them, will fully be brought to pass this saying, God shall wipe away all tears. The hope of this should now do away over-sorrow, all weeping that hinders sowing. Sometimes, in this world God takes away the reproach of his people from among men; however, it will be done fully at the great day. Let us patiently bear sorrow and shame now; both will be done away shortly.
vv9-12
With joy and praise will those entertain the glad tidings of the Redeemer, who looked for him; and with a triumphant song will glorified saints enter into the joy of their Lord. And it is not in vain to wait for him; for the mercy comes at last, with abundant recompence for the delay. The hands once stretched out upon the cross, to make way for our salvation, will at length be stretched forth to destroy all impenitent sinners. Moab is here put for all adversaries of God's people; they shall all be trodden down or threshed. God shall bring down the pride of the enemies by one humbling judgment after another. This destruction of Moab is typical of Christ's victory, and the pulling down of Satan's strong holds. Therefore, beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Key Words
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
רוּם: to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
יָדָה: physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
פֶּלֶא: a miracle
עֵצָה: advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
רָחוֹק: remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
אֱמוּנָה: literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
Cross References
Isaiah 25Explicitly quoted by Paul to prove the ultimate resurrection and final victory over death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels the veil of spiritual blindness over the heart, particularly of Israel.
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John depicts the ultimate fulfillment of God wiping away every tear and abolishing death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Christ describes the gospel feast as welcoming many from east and west.
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The mountain feast of rich foods typifies the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Waiting for the manifestation of our God and Savior matches 'we have waited for him.'
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Identifies 'this mountain' as Mount Zion, established as the center of all nations.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains 'wines on the lees' as those settled and matured, gaining strength.
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Christ has abolished and swallowed up death, bringing life to light.
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Parallels God's 'counsels of old' as His eternal purposes that stand firm.
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The ruined city of strangers typifies the fall of mystical Babylon.
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Parallels the imagery of God as a shadow from the heat and refuge.
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Christ as the 'Amen' embodies the Hebrew word for 'faithfulness and truth.'
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Illuminates 'strangers' as those alienated from the commonwealth and covenants of Israel.
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Connects 'fat things full of marrow' to God's rich spiritual table.
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Jacob's waiting for salvation echoes the corporate cry, 'we have waited.'
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