Isaiah 25: 6-9

I picked this passage because the theme of death being defeated stood out to me. Isaiah 25 continues the theme of the nations – even the enemies of God and God’s people being saved as was seen in the previous post.

⁶ On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
    a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
    the best of meats and the finest of wines.
⁷ On this mountain he will destroy
    the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
⁸     he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
    from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
    from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

⁹ In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;
    we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Verse 6 speaks of the feast of the Lord at the end times when all the nations will be gathered to Zion to worship Him. The term, “rich foods,” actually refers to the fatty portions of the meat. As many foodies and chefs know, the fatty parts of the meat actually have the best flavor because the fat will melt into the meat and infuse it with a fuller taste. Likewise, the term, “aged wine,” speaks of wine that has been aged much longer and was stronger. This is like comparing a Port wine to a Zinfandel. The Port has aged much longer (at least three years, but ten to twenty is preferable), and is thicker, richer, and stronger than the Zinfandel which can be aged for less than a year before bottling for the market. The idea Isaiah is trying to get across here is that of an exquisite feast with expensive foods and drinks. This is what God has prepared for His people—the best of the best. Yum.

Verses 7 and 8 need to be read together. The “shroud” and the “sheet” that cover the people and nations is death itself, and the sin that leads to it.[1] Death is the first curse that came upon humanity:

And the Lord commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it, you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17.

God is working to redeem all of creation and to defeat sin once and for all. Therefore, He must redeem and destroy death as well. This passage shows that death will be swallowed up, not just removed or banished, but “enveloped in such a way as to destroy.”[2] The New Testament confirms that Jesus Christ is the one who will destroy death and reign victorious.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O Death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.

Death is the final obstacle that hinders us from having life abundantly (John 10:10). “This is the ultimate deliverance. We may be delivered form want and from oppression, but until we are delivered from death, and the sin which issues in death, all these other deliverances are a mockery; death is the final conqueror.”[3] And in Christ, death is conquered.

When I saw him, I fell at his feed as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelations 1:17-18.

He will wipe ever tear form their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4.

Verse 8 continues to give a beautiful illustration of the tenderness of the great Lord Almighty. This term, Lord Almighty is more literally translated Lord of Hosts, that is, the Commander of the Armies of Heaven. God, all-powerful God, will tenderly wipe the tears of His people’s faces, as a parent would to a child. We cannot conquer death, disease, war, etc. Only God can. He is the only one that is truly sovereign over the nations. He will redeem, not just Israel, but all nations and will gather them to Himself where they can feast on the finest foods and wine, and sorrow no more.

Not only will God remove sorrow and death, but He will also remove the disgrace that covers us. Our sin and disobedience brings us shame in the eyes of others, especially when we continue to cling to our faith and hope in God.[4] We tend to look like hypocrites. But God will remove even this because the feast will be to honor us. We will be the guest of honor who are clothed in the righteousness of Christ so that none can say anything against us for we will shine with Christ’s glory.

In light of all this, what other response can there be but adoration, praise, and worship of the God who saves us?

“Surely this is our God;
    we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

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[1] John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986), 464.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid., 465.