This is a delightful passage full of gospel truth and containing many insights concerning the saving and keeping work of Jesus Christ. How blessed the Lord\u2019s remnant people have been to have received, read and recalled these promises in their periods of trouble and fear. Long before Babylon and Rome ever rose in power to afflict the Jews or worry the church their destruction had been foretold. However, with the eye of faith it is Christ\u2019s own glory we see shining in the chapter.<\/p>\n
Mt Zion, the church<\/b><\/p>\n
The \u2018Lord\u2019s mountain\u2019 is a type of the redeemed church of Christ. Sometimes Isaiah calls it Mt Zion or the mountain of the Lord\u2019s house. Sometimes it is described as a high mountain for the lofty esteem in which God views His beloved people. God speaks of the church as \u2018my holy mountain\u2019 where His throne dwells. Chapter 24 ended with the Lord reigning in Mt Zion in the midst of \u2018his ancients\u2019. These are Christ\u2019s spiritual people, all those loved with everlasting love, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, secured in the covenant of peace and viewed in Christ before the world began.<\/p>\n
The song of the \u2018ancients\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n
The chapter begins with a statement of praise for God\u2019s glory. This is a song of victory following the account of God\u2019s worldwide judgment against sin. It is Isaiah\u2019s song but it is sung by all God\u2019s people in all ages. Despite the troubles, trials and persecutions that beset the church of Jesus Christ, the elect not only persevere, they do so with praise on their lips and worship in their hearts. They confess, \u2018thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels (or decrees) of old are faithfulness and truth\u2019.<\/p>\n
Wonderful redemption<\/b><\/p>\n
While the Lord has granted many amazing deliverances to His people throughout history it is the work of redemption that most fully exemplifies God\u2019s wonderful works to the children of men. Our Lord Jesus is our strength and defence as poor and needy sinners. He is our \u2018refuge from the storm\u2019, our \u2018shadow from the heat\u2019 when the blast of condemning law, the devil\u2019s accusations and the flesh come raging against our souls.<\/p>\n
Tears wiped away<\/b><\/p>\n
Even death itself has no more dread for the Lord\u2019s people. By dying and rising again our Lord Jesus has defeated death. It is no longer the penalty for our sin. Christ confirmed His power and authority to deliver from death\u2019s grip all for whom He died. Death is swallowed up in victory. \u2018The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth.\u2019<\/p>\n
A table fitly spread<\/b><\/p>\n
Isaiah foresees three great works God purposes to do in the church amongst His elect people \u2018in this mountain\u2019. First, He will give gospel blessings to nourish our souls and to refresh and strengthen our spirits. These are likened to a feast of good things. \u2018A feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees.\u2019 The Father promises not only to save His people but also to bless with all spiritual blessings those He calls by His Spirit to follow and worship Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A veil removed<\/b><\/p>\n Second, the Lord will \u2018destroy the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations\u2019. Here we have the lifting of spiritual ignorance in gospel days. Blindness and natural antipathy towards God is removed, not by man\u2019s will but by God\u2019s power. The rending of the veil in the temple at Jesus\u2019 death spoke of the opening of a new and living way into the presence of God. Similarly, the lifting of the veil speaks of the new birth and eyes, once blind, opened to see the way of life by Christ\u2019s death.<\/p>\n An enemy humbled<\/b><\/p>\n Finally, we learn that \u2018Moab shall be trodden down under him and he shall bring down their pride\u2019. Moab is given here to represent all the foes of God\u2019s remnant people. Our Saviour in His death defeated all our enemies and it is absolutely true that all for whom Christ died will be saved. Yet, in God\u2019s purpose, the Lord will also have His people witness and experience their deliverance from all manner of opposition inflicted by the world, the flesh and the devil. The spiritual victory accomplished on the cross will be confirmed, corroborated and attested in time by the humbling of all the Lord\u2019s enemies and ours.<\/p>\n Amen<\/p>\n