Isaiah: Chapters 25 & 26 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download  May's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Note" postings.



Contents:

  1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & NCV.
  2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
  3. Research The feast for all people.
  4. Summary An approximately twenty word overview of the chapter.
  5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 26:9.
  6. Cross References Of Isaiah 26:9.
  7. Respond Based on reflections on God's character and my own.

Different Versions

I read Chapters 25 and 26 in the King James Version (KJV) and the New Century Version (NCV). The KJV is a  word-for-word translation and the NCV is a thought-for-thought translation.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):
  • Isaiah 25:11.
    • Comparisons:
      • KJV: (1) And he shall spread forth his hands in (2) the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
      • NCV: (1) They will spread their arms in (2) it like a person who is swimming. But God will bring down their pride, and all the clever things they have made will mean nothing.
    • Discrepancy: Is it God working in the midst of them (KJV) or the Moabities swimming in the rubble (NCV)?
    • Clarifications:
      • The Hebrew might read: He spreads out his hands in the center as a swimmer would so that arrogance is abased along with the ingenuity of their hands.
      • Bible versions favor God spreading forth his hands to Moab.
      • Ellicott adds an image of Jesus' hands stretched on the cross to these two interpretations and mentions there is support for each one. His favor being Moab swimming in the rubble as is a common description of one in agony. (Psalm 69). But, that inevitably, Christ undeniably brings down the pride of the guilty nation.
      • *Regardless, the end result is the same: Moab's pride falls and God remains.
  • Isaiah 26:6.
    • Comparisons:
      • KJV: The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
      • NCV: Then those who were hurt by the city will walk on its ruins; those who were made poor by the city will trample it under their feet.
    • Discrepancies:
      1. The KJV offers a picture of empowerment, an underdog story where the unexpected triumph. 
      2. Alternatively, the NCV offers a vengeful tone. Those who were wronged celebrate the fall of their oppressors.
    • Clarifications
      • The Hebrew might read: A foot tramples, a foot afflicted, footsteps of the lean.
      • *Currently, I favor the KJV tone of the underdog. Where God uses the overlooked to triumph over the prideful. Might this even reflect the child who bruises the head of the serpent of Genesis 3:15?
  • Isaiah 26:7.
    • Comparisons:
      • KJV: The way of the just is uprightness: thou, must upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
      • NCV: The path of life is level for those who are right with God; Lord, you make the way of life smooth for those people.
    • Discrepancies:
      1. The KJV offers a tone of glorifying God. He is the "most upright" that weighs the decisions we make.
      2. The NCV offers a tone of a merciful God who makes our lives easier.
    • Clarifications
      • *Both versions have value, although give a very different message. He is the "most upright" and He is judging our steps. And, when we keep our eyes on Him, it makes our lives easier by clarifying the choices we must make.
  • Isaiah 26:12.
    • Comparisons:
      • KJV: Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
      • NCV: Lord, all our success is because of what you have done, so give us peace.
    • Discrepancies:
      1. The KJV speaks of  imminent peace as a foregone conclusion.
      2. The NCV reads more like a prayer: Give me peace. Help me remember You are the cause of every good thing.
    • Clarifications: *I favor the KJV because it communicates God's design for us from beginning to end. Both serve as a good reminder that we can be at peace because God is in control of every detail. It's not in our hands.

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.
  1. You are my God. I will praise You.
  2. You do wonderful things. Strength recognizes strength and the powers on earth fear You. (25:1-5)
    1. Their cities crumble.
    2. They witness Your protection of the poor and needy. 
      1. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (See our notes on Proverbs 31:20.)
    3. And how you bring low the lofty.
      1. ? Does strangers refer to those who do not know God, or the enemy: Satan. Or both, really, because strangers do not know God because of the works of Satan.
  3. You are faithful and true. (25:6-8)
    1. Together, we will feast of God's goodness when all truth is revealed.
      1. ? Why is there a feast for all? Is this the marriage feast of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:6-9) The table prepared for us in the presence of our enemies? (Psalm 23:5) *R
      2. ? What mountain? Is this Zion? Or is it Golgotha where Christ is crucified (Matthew 27:33-37) and then the veil is torn (Matthew 27:51)? 
    2. Death will be defeated, all tears wiped away, and Your people will no longer be rebuked (criticized sharply, put in check - Merriam Webster).
      1. ! O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God ,which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:55-57)
      2. ! And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
  4. We testify of You. (25:9-12) 
    1. "This is our God! We have waited for Him!" the faithful proclaim.
      1. ! I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Isaiah 8:17
    2. God's control rests here and all who opposed will be flattened - both their pride and their possessions. Their strongholds will be torn down.
      1. ! Rests, like the Holy Spirit resting on Jesus. (Matthew 3:16. See also research notes on the Trinity.)
      2. ! Rests, like the government resting upon Jesus' shoulder (Isaiah 9:6-7. See also research notes on authority of Shebna and Eliakim.)
      3. ? Might Moab represent earth in general. Worldly vs. Heavenly. Moab = World and Zion = Heaven? 
      4. ! The strongholds will be turned to dust - For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:14 
      5. ! Reminiscent of the walls falling at Jericho. Joshua 5:13-6:27
      6. ? Does this passage suggest salvation for all: a feast for all people (Isaiah 25:6), destruction of the covering cast over all people (Isaiah 25:7), wiping tears from all faces (Isaiah 25:8), then bringing down the things that keep them from Him (Isaiah 25:11-12)? Or only for the ones who accept it? *R
  5. You shelter us. (26:1-6)
    1. Your people sing because they know Your protection and salvation.
      1. ! This strong city sounds like heaven. (Revelation 21 & 22:1-5)
    2. We ask for the gates to be opened.
      1. 🎵Fling wide those heavenly gates / Prepare the way of the risen Lord🎶 "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?" performed by Delirious?
      2. 🎶Open up the doors / We are ready, we are ready / We're crying out for more / In Your presence we come alive🎵 "Endlessly" performed by Josh Baldwin
    3. We find peace when our minds are fixed on You.
      1. ! We make it in the gates, to the strong city, because our mind is fixed on You and we trust You.
    4. We find everlasting strength when we trust You.
    5. You defend us, though we are poor and needy, and you lead us to victory by judging our righteousness.
      1. ! Help us see past deception, "them that dwell on high, the lofty city"
  6. You judge us. (26:8-11)
    1. The Righteous Rejoice
      1. We have longed for your judgment, Lord, that we may know and remember You.
      2. For by your judgements, we learn righteousness.
        1. ! We need law (judgment) for our body (shell) to find the right path. Our soul (which is eternal) seeks salvation. Our spirit (the Holy Spirit received when we accept Christ) leads us there.
    2. The Wicked Ignore
      1. Though You show favor to the wicked, though they are surrounded by righteousness, they will still refuse righteousness and justice.
      2. They won't respond to Your correction, but they will understand when Satan's fire consumes them.
  7. You work all things for good. (26:12-21)
    1. You planned peace for us.
      1. We sought it by following other avenues, but only Your way rings true.
        1. ! We will ascribe to You what belongs to You. We will give credit where credit is due.
      2. Other philosophies lead to death, by You, their power over us is destroyed, their ways forgotten.
        1. ! And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
    2. By Your power, the whole earth glorifies You. (! that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11)
      1. Everyone cries for You in time of trouble, like a woman screaming at childbirth.
      2. Though we've labored painfully, we birth vanity. Yet still, we stand.
    3. You bring us life.
      1. We will live, though dead, in Christ. For the earth spits out what He offers.
        1. ! But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:4-5
      2. Just wait in your tombs a little longer.
        1. ! But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6
      3. For God will come with justice and truth.
        1. ! For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. Isaiah 18:4

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.
Why is there a feast for all people mentioned in Isaiah 25:6? Does "all people" include those who accept and reject Christ? Is there any significance to what is served at the feast? Are there connections to other feasts mentioned in scripture?

And in this mountain...

  • The mountain is the same mountain of Isaiah 2:1-3 - "the mountain of the Lord's house...established in the top of the mountains...above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it" - or Zion. (Ellicott)
  • Symbolic of Sinai where a feast followed a vision. The purpose of both feasts is to establish a covenant, harmony, and relationship that is sealed with a sacrifice. (MacLaren & Deffinbaugh)
    • At Sinai, the people saw God, ate and drank. (Exodus 24:1-18)
    • At Zion, the elders beheld the glory of Jehovah's reign (Isaiah 24:23)
  • Psalm 23:5 KJV: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
  • Isaiah 21:5 KJV: Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise ye princes, and anoint thy shield.

...shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people...

  • All people means the Gentiles or heathens (Ellicott)
  • Shows God's familiarity with people, He gives access to all and desires fellowship and communion with them. It shows a picture of a family, which is possible through Christ's sacrifice and cleansed us of unrighteousness so that we can sit at God's table. (MacClaren)
  • Like the wedding parable Jesus told. The invited people could not come, so God invited anyone that would accept His invitation. (Matthew 22:1-14)

...a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the less well refined.

  • The food mentioned here is reminiscent of sacrificial feasts as at a banquet of the Great King. The best food like grapes fattened on the vine and luxurious meat. (Ellicott).
  • Shows God's abundant supply of all our wants and desires which we receive through Christ. It's offered, but we must choose to partake. Eat in faith and deed. (MacLaren and see notes on Proverbs 31:14 and Isaiah 23:18)
  • The Lord's Supper has similar symbols. True eating by faith. (MacLaren)

Other Feasts

  • Connects to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb found in Revelation 19:6-9.  (MacLaren)
  • The feast table prepared before us while our baffled foe look on in harmless spite (Psalm 23:5)
  • The feast Wisdom prepares for us. (Proverbs 9:2)
  • The feast eaten to strengthen us for battle. (Isaiah 21:5)
  • The counsel from Elihu to Job that God prepares a table with only fatness for those who follow His judgment. (Job 36:16)
*Conclusions: It seems like God seals a covenant with food. Sacrifices were followed by feasting. The marriage celebration concludes with food. He cares about what we consume and He desires that it is from Him - our living water, our bread of heaven. This feast is an invitation to all people who boldly proclaim in faith and deed that Christ is their King. Though all are invited, not all accept.

Summary

The truth is: You are God. You level earth's strongholds, reign in justice, and bring the dead to life.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 26:9.
.
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

This verse helps me express my desire for God - this longing in my soul.


Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of Isaiah 26:9.

With my soul have I desired thee in the night...
  • Luke 6:12 NCV: At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God.
  • Proverbs 31:18 KJV: She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out at night. (See our notes on Proverbs 31:18.)
  • Psalm 77:2 KJV: In the day of trouble I sought the Lord: my sore (Hebrew=hand) ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

...yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early...

  • Proverbs 31:15 KJV: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens.
  • Proverbs 31:13 KJV: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
  • Proverbs 8:17 KJV: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
...for when thy judgments are in the earth...

  • Exodus 21:1 KJV: Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. (List continues  through Exodus 23.)
  • Leviticus 18:4 KJV: Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God.
  • Deuteronomy 10:18 KJV: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger in giving him food and raiment.

...the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

  • Job 6:29 KJV: Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
  • Job 29:14 KJV: I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was a as a robe and a diadem.
  • Job 36:3 KJV: I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

*Conclusions: This verse outlines the process of repentance: 
  1. We get lost in darkness (pride, ambition, popularity, power, false doctrines, etc.) and our soul yearns for righteousness. 
  2. We awaken and the Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus, our Rock (Psalm 31:3 and Isaiah 26:4).
  3. We follow God's way: His precepts, laws, and ordinances...
  4. and learn true righteousness.

Respond

  1. God is my God. I am His. He is mine. This is the covenant established through the ages: "I will be your God and you will be My people." (Genesis 17:7, Exodus 6:7, Ezekiel 34:24, Jeremiah 7:23, etc.) I can live life believing and reflecting my true identity. My identity is reflected in who I surround myself with, how I spend my time, and how I leverage my influence - financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. Do my choices, actions, interactions, motivations, and internal dialogue convey that "I am His and He is mine"?
  2. God shatters delusions. I can easily get lost in delusions because I am living in the world. But, if I keep my mind stayed on Him and trust Him completely  then He protects me and keeps me in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3) Whenever I feel uneasy, I can pray for God to open His gates so that I may enter into His truth. (Isaiah 26:2) And He will, for His spirit leads me to the Rock that is higher than I. (Isaiah 26:9 and Psalm 61:2-4)
  3. God is merciful and just. My soul longs for Him. (Isaiah 26:9 & 16-17) God's desire is that no one would perish. (2 Peter 3:9 & I Timothy 2:3-4)  Within each of us is a desire for Him and God works endlessly to draw us to Him (Isaiah 25:10-12). God honors those who accept His covenant (Isaiah 25:6-9) and punishes those who refuse Him (Isaiah 26:10-11, 21). I will accept His covenant, join in His work of sharing His mercy with the world, and honor His justice.  

In Closing

Father God, You are rich in mercy. Your great love for us grants us eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. All that is required of us is belief and acceptance. Then, You clothe us in the righteousness of Christ and offer us a seat at Your table. Father, I ask that You open the minds and hearts of unbelievers. That You stir that longing in their soul. Lead them to the Rock where they can find perfect peace. Like You, I would that none would perish, but that all would accept Your gift of eternal life and believe in Your son, Jesus Christ, the Everlasting Rock.

Learning with You,

Ready for Chapter 27?

Sample these related posts:
To locate the Isaiah study guide for May.
To review notes on Isaiah Chapter 24.
To protect your King with wisdom from an ant.
To research deception by studying Proverbs 31:30.
To see your life as a fairy tale.

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

Image Credit: Pine Tree Sunrise by Pretty Sleepy at Pixabay

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