Isaiah 25:6-9 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make to all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees… I. THE FEAST. 1. Spiritual blessings are here, as in other places, set forth under the emblem of feast (Proverbs 9:2-5; Luke 14:16-24; Matthew 22:4). In Christ, and in His Gospel, provision is made for our refreshment in various respects. (1) Truth is afforded for the understanding. (2) Beauty (the amiable perfections of God and Christ), goodness, love, hope, joy. (3) Provision is also made for the sustenance of the Divine life in the soul (John 6:32, 33, 47-57). (4) In the Gospel there is not barely provision, but "a feast"; abundant provision. A rich variety of truths, and clear and satisfactory discoveries concerning them. Abundant mercy, to remove the most aggravated guilt, and to give assurance of pardon, reconciliation, and peace. Abundant grace, to purify from all defilement, and enrich with holiness and comfort. There is most agreeable, rich, and delightful provision. But, for whom? For those who have their spiritual taste rectified, and have spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14). "A feast of fat things." Bishop Lowth reads, "of delicacies"; "of fat things full of marrow," or, "of delicacies exquisitely rich." The truths of the Gospel are enlarging, ennobling, and consoling to the mind; the grace of it enriching, invigorating, and comforting to the spirit; its doctrines, precepts, promises, exhortations, sweet and precious. Cheering, exhilarating provision. "Wines on the lees"; or, old wines (Lowth). The truths of the Gospel give the fullest satisfaction and comfort to believers. "Well refined." Refined from every impure and carnal mixture. 2. But where is the feast made? "In this mountain" This is said in allusion to Judaea, a mountainous country, and especially to Jerusalem and Mount Zion, whore this provision was first made. There Christ died and rose again, the Spirit was first poured out, the Gospel first preached, and the Christian Church first formed. But the Christian Church itself is often figuratively described under the terms, Jerusalem and Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22). 3. Do we further inquire, for whom this feast is made, and on what terms such may partake of it! It is made "for all people," on the terms of repentance and faith. 4. To this feast we are invited. But we neither know by nature our want of these blessings, nor the worth of them, nor the way of attaining them. To remedy this evil we have — II. A GRACIOUS PROMISE. "He will destroy the face," etc. The "face of the covering" is put by a hypallage, for the "covering of the face." The expression has a reference to the veil that was upon the face of Moses, or to that of the tabernacle and temple, both emblematical of the obscurity of that dispensation. But much darker was the dispensation the heathen were under. The veil of unbelief is also intended (Romans 11:32); and that of prejudice. These veils are removed by the plain and powerful preaching of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 3:12, 13). By the circulation of the Scriptures. By the "spirit of wisdom and revelation" (Ephesians 1:17-19). By the "heart turning to the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:16), and faith in Jesus (John 12:46). Here we have a manifest prophecy of the illumination and conversion of both Jews and Gentiles, and of the universal spread of religion. III. THE EFFECT PRODUCED (ver. 8). The Messiah, who is the "light of the world," is the "light of life." 1. "He will swallow up death in victory."(1) Spiritual death, introduced by the sin of Adam, is swallowed up in victory Hence, "he that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (2) Temporal death. 2. "The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces." He will remove sufferings and sorrows, and the causes of them forever (Revelation 21:4). 3. "And the rebuke of His people," etc. This implies, that the people of God have been, and will be more or less, under reproach, in all ages, till the glorious period here spoken of arrive. IV. THE JOY AND TRIUMPH OF GOD'S PEOPLE (ver. 9). Their enemies now reproach them, "Where is your God?" But what will then be the reply of the Lord's people? "Lo, this is our God"; we have trusted, hoped, waited for Him, and now He hath saved us. Henceforth we shall have the everlasting fruition of His glorious presence. The presence of God shall remain with the Church (ver. 10). (J. Benson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. |
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