In
this mountain, Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines, of fat things full of marrow, of well refined choice wines.
Isaiah 25:6
Isaiah 25 [1.] Yahweh, you are my God. I will exalt you! I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago, in complete faithfulness and truth. For you have made a city into a heap, a fortified city into a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city. It will never be built. Therefore a strong people will glorify you. A city of awesome nations will fear you. For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall.
Isaiah 25 [5.] As the heat in a dry place will you bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the dreaded ones will be brought low. In this mountain, Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines, of fat things full of marrow, of well refined choice wines. He will destroy in this mountain the surface of the covering that covers all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for Yahweh has spoken it. It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is Yahweh! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!” For in this mountain Yahweh’s hand will rest. Moab will be trodden down in his place, even like straw is trodden down in the water of the dunghill.
Isaiah 25 [11.] He will spread out his hands in the middle of it, like one who swims spreads out hands to swim, but his pride will be humbled together with the craft of his hands. He has brought the high fortress of your walls down, laid low, and brought to the ground, even to the dust.
Meaning:
Isaiah 24 to 27 looks ahead to the day when God judges the earth and establishes his reign. Chapter 25 begins with a song of praise for God's faithfulness and his care for the poor and needy. Then comes this picture of a great banquet that God himself will host, one of the most joyful promises in the Old Testament.
- “In this mountain”
The mountain is Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the previous chapter says Yahweh of Armies will reign (Isaiah 24:23). Zion stands for the place of God's presence and rule. From there blessing will flow out to the world.
- “Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast”
The host is God himself, and the guests are “all peoples”, not Israel alone. This looks forward to the inclusion of the nations in God's salvation. Jesus spoke of the same hope: “many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 8:11).
- “a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines”
In the ancient world rich food and aged wine were signs of abundance and celebration, rarely enjoyed by ordinary people. The repeated phrases describe the very best. God's salvation is not meagre; it is a lavish feast. The next verses add the greatest gift of all: “He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).
- Fulfilment in Jesus
Jesus' first sign, turning water into abundant good wine at a wedding, pointed to this promised feast (John 2:1-11). At the Last Supper he said, “I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom” (Mark 14:25). A guest at a meal exclaimed, “Blessed is he who will feast in God’s Kingdom!” (Luke 14:15), and Jesus answered with a parable about God's open invitation.
The Significance of Isaiah 25:6
- God's generosity
The picture of a rich feast shows that God delights to give his people the best. His salvation brings joy, not grudging scraps.
- An invitation to all
The feast is for all peoples. Christians are called to share God's invitation with people of every nation and background.
Cross-References:
Isaiah 25:8: “He has swallowed up death forever!” The victory celebrated at the feast.
Matthew 8:11: “many will come from the east and the west,” The nations gathered at God's table.
Mark 14:25: “until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.” Jesus looks forward to the feast.
Conclusion: Isaiah 25:6 promises a lavish banquet hosted by God on Mount Zion for all peoples, with the richest food and finest wine. It pictures the joy of God's salvation, when death is defeated and tears are wiped away. Jesus pointed to this feast in his first sign at Cana and at the Last Supper.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible