Isaiah25
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Yahweh, you are my God. I will exalt you! I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago, in complete faithfulness and truth.
2For you have made a city into a heap, a fortified city into a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city. It will never be built.
3Therefore a strong people will glorify you. A city of awesome nations will fear you.
4For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall.
5As the heat in a dry place you will bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the dreaded ones will be brought low.
6In this mountain, Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast of choice wines, of choice meat full of marrow, of well refined choice wines.
7He will destroy in this mountain the surface of the covering that covers all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
8He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for Yahweh has spoken it.
9It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is Yahweh! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”
10For Yahweh’s hand will rest in this mountain. Moab will be trodden down in his place, even like straw is trodden down in the water of the dunghill.
11He will spread out his hands in the middle of it, like one who swims spreads out hands to swim, but his pride will be humbled together with the craft of his hands.
12He has brought the high fortress of your walls down, laid low, and brought to the ground, even to 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.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
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.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
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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