Chapter 25

1 The prophet praiseth God, for his judgments, 6 for his saving benefits, 9 and for his victorious salvation.

1. I will praise. This chapter, particularly vs. 1–5 is a song of praise. The prophet raises his voice in thanks to the Lord for bringing the reign of sin to an end and establishing His glorious kingdom, as announced in ch. 24:23.

Thy counsels of old. The plan for man’s salvation was not an afterthought. Long before the creation of this world God took counsel with Christ concerning the plan to be followed in case of the emergency of sin. Christ then offered Himself, and became “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). Then began the “counsel of peace” (Zech. 6:13; see PP 63) between Christ and the Father on behalf of lost mankind. It was the eternal purpose of God that man should enjoy life, and to the carrying out of that purpose all the resources of heaven were devoted (see Isa. 46:10).

2. A city. Probably a reference to Babylon (see on chs. 14:4; 24:10), the symbolic center of the forces of evil in the days of Isaiah. Literal Babylon raised itself up against Jerusalem, and through that pagan center Satan put forth mighty efforts to control the world, but it was to be reduced to a heap of ruins. For the fulfillment of this prophecy in Isaiah’s day, see on chs. 13:19–22; 14:4. In the days immediately prior to the second coming of Christ mystical Babylon will be destroyed (Rev. 18:10, 21). The destruction of Babylon is typical of the destruction of the might and power of Satan (see on Isa. 14:4–23; Jer. 51:24–26, 41, 53, 55, 64).

3. The strong people. The Hebrew has no article here before either “people” or “city,” and the application is therefore general rather than particular. When the Lord destroyed Babylon (see on v. 2), other nations would learn to recognize His might and power. Compare Rev. 11:8, 13, where the judgment that fell upon the wicked “city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,” resulted in the rest being “affrighted” and giving “glory to the God of heaven”; and Ps. 76:9, 10, where the Lord’s arising in judgment “to save all the meek of the earth” will result in man’s wrath bringing praise to God.

4. A strength. Or, “stronghold.” The truth here stated applies to any and every deliverance the Lord brings to the poor and needy from their oppressors. In Isaiah’s day it applied to the destruction of Sennacherib’s armies that came against Judah. In Daniel’s day it applied to the downfall of Babylon (see on ch. 14:4–6), and at the second coming of Christ it applies to the destruction of all the powers of evil.

The storm. The fierceness of the forces of evil is compared to the blast of a terrible storm dashing against a wall.

5. Noise of strangers. That is, of “aliens” (see on Ex. 12:19). The thought of Isa. 25:4 continues with a change in the figures employed. Oppression by foreigners is here compared to the withering heat of a prolonged drought that sears the pastures and parches the land.

The shadow. The “heat” will be dispelled by a cooling “cloud” God brings to overshadow His people.

The branch. Literally, “the song,” as the word is translated elsewhere (Ps. 119:54; Isa. 24:16; etc.). When the Lord intervenes the song of these ruthless enemies of God’s people will be stilled.

6. This mountain. That is, Mt. Zion (see on Ps. 48:2; cf. Isa. 24:23).

A feast of fat things. Christ’s coronation feast (see on Rev. 19:7–9). Isaiah envisages the time when mystic Babylon (see on v. 2) will be destroyed (Rev. 19:2) and when the New Jerusalem will be the capital of the re-created earth (Rev. 21:1–3). God calls men to accept His invitation to the feast (Matt. 22:2–4, 9, 10; cf. Luke 14:16, 17). For the twofold application of Isaiah’s prophecies, see on ch. 24:1 cf. pp. 34–36; see on Deut. 18:15.

7. Face of the covering. In this world men walk, as it were, in the shadow of darkness, with a veil drawn over their eyes. This may be a veil of sorrow or mourning, or a veil of ignorance (Isa. 29:10; 1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Cor. 3:12–18; Eph. 4:18). Such a veil now covers the world as a whole, though it is lifted for individuals who accept Christ. But there will be no veil in that happy day when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” and when “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 11:9; 6:3).

People. Literally, “peoples.” This promise includes God’s people of all ages and among all nations.

8. Swallow up death. Isaiah presents a glorious picture of the resurrection, the deliverance from death that will be accomplished when Jesus returns to reign. This theme was re-echoed by the apostles Paul (1 Cor. 15:54, 55) and John (Rev. 7:17; 21:4).

Victory. Literally, “for ever,” as the word is translated elsewhere (see Ps. 44:23; Isa. 34:10).

Wipe away tears. Compare Rev. 21:4.

The rebuke. That is, the ignominy and reproach to which the righteous of all ages have submitted during their earthly sojourn. Now the taunt of the heathen, “Where is their God?” (Ps. 79:10), is forever stilled. No longer are they oppressed and afflicted, but stand as victors, crowned with righteousness and singing songs of everlasting joy.

9. This is our God. This joyous shout of triumph comes from the lips of the scattered saints as Christ appears in the clouds of heaven. Their earnest cries for deliverance are now changed to anthems of praise.

We have waited. After the appearance of many false christs (see on Matt. 24:24) and after Satan’s masterpiece of deception, his impersonation of Christ (GC 624), the saints now joyfully acknowledge Him for whom they have waited patiently for so long. The wicked have acclaimed Satan as Christ and as the savior of the world, but the saints have denied Satan their allegiance and reserved it for Jesus.

10. This mountain. See on v. 6.

Moab. In this grand anthem of praise Moab stands for all the enemies of the people of God. For centuries the Moabites had been a sore thorn in the flesh of Israel, but now they, with all other enemies, are to be forever subdued. For other prophecies of judgment upon Moab see Isa. 15; 16; Jer. 48; Eze. 25:8–11.

As straw. Mixed with dung by the feet of cattle. Compare the picture of the Lord treading the wine press (Isa. 63:3; Rev. 14:20).

11. As he that swimmeth. These words are spoken of Moab, floundering, as it were, in the troubled waters of distress and struggling in vain to escape. Compare the psalmist’s prayer for deliverance from the sea of troubles in which he found himself (Ps. 69:1, 2, 14, 15). Some have understood that it is the Lord who “shall spread forth his hands,” as he treads the “straw” (Isa. 25:10).

Their pride. Literally, “his pride.”

Spoils. Perhaps, “skill.”

Their hands. Literally, “his hands.”

12. The high fort. Moab is here pictured as a high and strong fortress that will be overthrown by the Lord. The nation of Moab again stands in a general sense for all the enemies of the people of God (see on v. 6). Thus is predicted the casting down of every stronghold of the hosts of darkness and the destruction of every fortress of evil. All the heathen will be brought down, and God’s people alone will be exalted in the great day of the wrath of God (see Dan. 7:27).

Ellen G. White comments

1    PK 702

4     MH 32; PK 725

7     PK 371

8     COL 180; GC 650; PK 724

8, 9 Ed 182; GC 300; PK 728

9          COL 421; EW 110, 287; GC 644; ML 343; SR 411; 1T 354; 8T 253