The Great Banquet (Isaiah 25:1-12)
We now hear another great song. The remnant, in contrast to the City of Meaninglessness and its inhabitants, are gathering and traveling to Zion. As they journey, they sing a song of joy. Similarly to the song in chapter 12, this song starts out as solo voices (singular) but develops into a chorus of many voices in unison (plural).
The Joy in YHWH’s miraculous salvation (1-5):
The characteristic of the remnant person is an individual, personal knowledge of God and His supernatural intervention into our life. He has rescued us from the meaningless powers that threaten and overwhelm. One day, even all the evil powers of the world will bow to God. He is a shelter for the poor, needy, and oppressed. He is a shade from the terrible heat of evil.
The Blessings of YHWH’s Provision (6-8):
God will prepare a wonderful feast. His people will enjoy the best of the best forever. Things will be as they should have always been. The veil of sinful deception and the threat of death will be no more. Sorrow, shame, and guilt will vanish, and God will make all things right.
The Joy in YHWH’s Collective Salvation (9-12):
Together, with no divisions or conflicts, the people of God from all over the world will celebrate God. Joy will be complete. The hope of the world will be fulfilled. Evil and oppressive powers will be swept away. Nothing will stand against God’s will.
Moab is called out by name here, as one of the forces swept away and put in its place. This reminds us of the parallel oracle in chapters 15 and 16. There Moab sought God’s help but ultimately rejected it out of pride. Even the powers of the world that might consider turning to YHWH cannot be helped if they reject Him in their own prideful arrogance. This is the tragic tyranny of the sin that causes people to reject God’s loving rescue!
The Joy in YHWH’s miraculous salvation (1-5):
The characteristic of the remnant person is an individual, personal knowledge of God and His supernatural intervention into our life. He has rescued us from the meaningless powers that threaten and overwhelm. One day, even all the evil powers of the world will bow to God. He is a shelter for the poor, needy, and oppressed. He is a shade from the terrible heat of evil.
The Blessings of YHWH’s Provision (6-8):
God will prepare a wonderful feast. His people will enjoy the best of the best forever. Things will be as they should have always been. The veil of sinful deception and the threat of death will be no more. Sorrow, shame, and guilt will vanish, and God will make all things right.
The Joy in YHWH’s Collective Salvation (9-12):
Together, with no divisions or conflicts, the people of God from all over the world will celebrate God. Joy will be complete. The hope of the world will be fulfilled. Evil and oppressive powers will be swept away. Nothing will stand against God’s will.
Moab is called out by name here, as one of the forces swept away and put in its place. This reminds us of the parallel oracle in chapters 15 and 16. There Moab sought God’s help but ultimately rejected it out of pride. Even the powers of the world that might consider turning to YHWH cannot be helped if they reject Him in their own prideful arrogance. This is the tragic tyranny of the sin that causes people to reject God’s loving rescue!
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