[6] On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. [7] And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. [8] He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 25:6–8)
The literary craft of this prophesy is exceeded only by the depth of the hope conveyed in the words.
God inspired the Prophet Isaiah to speak words of hope for all people, not just the Israelites. The relationship between Jew and Gentile will be so close that they will break bread together in a sumptuous banquet. God would turn bitter enemies into intimate friends.
Isaiah pivots using the banquet image to reveal how God will bring together all people. God will swallow death forever. We already know a hill where death was swallowed. That hill was Golgotha, where Jesus destroyed death in his own death.
The image of intimacy is extended when Isaiah says that, after death is swallowed, God will wipe every tear from our eyes. God will take away our shame. Note that this is not some impersonal act. God himself will wipe away our tears.
The powerful imagery of this prophecy is superseded only by the depth of the hope God gives us through his words.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 