Isaiah had witnessed the Lord exalted in his worship experience in the temple (6:1-13). When the faithful are delivered from exile, they too will acknowledge God’s greatness. What God planned long ago would then come to fulfillment (25:1). Represented as a “fortified city,” the world in opposition to God is destroyed and will never be rebuilt (25:2). You may be familiar with St. Augustine’s City of God, where he contrasted the righteousness of the city of God with contempt for righteousness by its opposite, the city of man.
Ruthless nations that struck terror among conquered peoples will themselves be struck. Willingly, or even unwillingly, they who once were so self-assured in power will instead glorify and fear Yahweh (25:3). His opposition is described three times as “ruthless.” Nevertheless, by whatever means the opposition abuses the needy through abuse of power, God empties that means of its power (25:4-5).
Yahweh declares He will prepare a celebration for the entire faithful remnant, wherever they may reside (25:6). There is a shroud of gloom and death draped over the earth due to mankind’s sin (25:7). That shroud will be removed. God Himself will “swallow up” the ultimate enemy of death (25:8a). He promises to remove anything that works against His people (25:8b; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 21:3-4). The faithful remnant will unmistakably and gloriously acknowledge Him as the One who fulfills His promises (25:9). Rather than misplacing their trust in the false hope of the immediate, they have “waited” upon the Lord, and He has redeemed them. G. Campbell Morgan observes, “Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.” Those who wait in faith will have experienced much oppression and troubles for standing up for their faith, yet they will gain the victory that comes from faith because of God’s power and faithfulness (1 John 5:4).
The “hand” of the Lord’s providence will be applied on Mount Zion. In contrast, Moab trusted in themselves and in what they thought represented power but they will experience the reality of divine power (25:10). Moab’s “hands” built strong fortifications, but God’s hands will bring them down (25:11-12). Since God is exalted, He will build up what honors Him, but what opposes Him will find its place demolished.
Dr. David Moore is a Baptist preacher in Pampa and an online instructor in Bible and theology for Taylor University and Nations University. Email: dm5867se@outlook.com
