Isaiah 25 - Printer Friendly

What does Isaiah 25 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Chapter 25 follows the description of God's judgment of the earth (Isaiah 24:21–23). In this passage the Lord's people celebrate Him for His righteousness. They also cheer His defeat of all His enemies, and His grace in removing the covering of death from all who belong to Him.

The prophet Isaiah begins by demonstrating that his relationship with the Lord is deeply personal. The same is true for every person who truly belongs to God. Isaiah declares that he will exalt his God. The prophet will continuously praise the name of the Lord for all the wonderful, miraculous, powerful things God has done. This praise includes the use of His limitless power to judge the earth for human sin (Isaiah 25:1).

Isaiah praises God for faithfully carrying out His plans and purposes for the earth. In this praise he especially notes the Lord's plan to destroy the palace of the "foreigners' palace." This refers the political powers of all those on the earth who stood against God and His people. In broad terms, Israel viewed themselves as God's people, and those outside of Israel as being opposed to God. Isaiah will later refer to God taking away sin and shame from the entire world (Isaiah 25:8). Before then, these ruthless nations will know to fear the Lord and the strong people will honor Him (Isaiah 25:2–3).

It's not just that the Lord puts the merciless nations in their place. He also protects the poor and needy from these harsh rulers. That's who the Lord God is: a stronghold for those in need (Psalm 9:9; 62:6). He is a shelter in the turmoil and a shade in the heat. He silences the battle cries of the ruthless foreign invaders by stepping between them and His own people (Isaiah 25:4–5).

Isaiah pictures a banquet held at the inauguration of the Lord as King over Israel and the whole world. The celebration is held on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. This time of feasting includes the choicest wine and richest meats. More importantly, the Lord will take away the curse which has existed over all peoples since the first sin in the garden (Genesis 3:17–19). The Messiah will swallow up death forever. He will wipe away the tears of each of His people (Revelation 21:4), taking away the reproach of their sin permanently (Isaiah 25:6–8).

The people will respond with gladness and rejoicing, declaring that this is their God. They have waited on Him to save them, and now He has. Their trust in Him and their waiting has been proven right (Isaiah 25:9).

Those who refused to trust in the Lord will be judged. Isaiah shows the Lord with one hand on Mount Zion and His foot outstretched to crush Moab down into the ground. The nation of Moab was a frequent enemy of the Israelites (Joshua 24:9). Much as "foreigners" was a term used in contrast to God's people of Israel, Moab represents all who would not trust the Lord or wait on Him. Moab is depicted like someone who has fallen into a dung-pit: flailing for survival but unable to escape sinking into the filth (Isaiah 25:10–11).

The Lord judges Moab and all who refuse to trust in Him for their pompous pride. Their belief that they didn't need to wait for the Lord God of Israel is their downfall. He will knock down the fortification of their human walls and defeat them in His judgment (Isaiah 25:12).

Isaiah 25:1–5 follows a description judgment over the whole world for humanity's sinfulness (Isaiah 24:21–23). Here, Isaiah declares his praise for the Lord. He speaks of God's eternal plan. He celebrates God for defeating His earthly enemies. To do this, Isaiah uses variations of the term "foreigners," contrasting God's people of Israel with the nations who rejected the Lord.

Chapter 25:6–12 describes a celebratory feast, hosted by God Himself, at the inauguration of His kingdom. The Lord will completely remove death and the shame of sin from His people. He also describes how the Lord takes away death forever for those who are His. The salvation which Israel long expected will come at last. In contrast, those who still refuse God's authority are crushed and humiliated. Moab, symbolic of all the nations who hated Israel, is depicted writhing in a cesspit under God's heel.

Chapter Summary:

Isaiah's description of the Lord's judgment on the earth is followed by celebration. This comes at the beginning of the Lord's reign over all the earth. The prophet declares his own praise for God's wonderful works and righteous plans. The Lord protects the needy from the ruthless. At the inaugural banquet, the Lord swallows up death forever and wipes away every tear. All the people declare that they were right to wait on their Lord to save them. The Lord judges unbelieving Moab by trampling them into their place.

Chapter Context:

In the previous chapter, the Lord of hosts is said to reign on Mount Zion following His judgment of the entire earth. Here, Isaiah declares His praise for the Lord who protects the poor and needy. At an inaugural banquet for His kingdom, the Lord swallows up death forever. He also takes away the shame of His people's sin while wiping away their tears. The people rejoice and are glad for waiting on the Lord's salvation. The Lord destroys Moab—symbolic of nations who reject God—in judgment for not trusting in Him.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/3/2024 2:20:20 PM