Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 25
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 25
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 25
"O Jehovah, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things, [even] counsels of old, in faithfulness [and] truth. For thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. Therefore shall a strong people glorify thee; a city of terrible nations shall fear thee. For thou hast 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 terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. As the heat in a dry place wilt thou bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones shall be brought low." — Isaiah 25:1-5 (ASV)
However this might show the deliverance of the Jews from captivity, it looked further, to the praises that should be offered to God for Christ's victories over our spiritual enemies, and the comforts he has provided for all believers.
True faith simply believes the Lord's testimony and relies on his truth to fulfill his promises.
As God weakens the strong who are proud and secure, so he strengthens the weak who are humble and rely on him.
God protects his people in all circumstances. The Lord shelters those who trust in him from the insolence of oppressors. Their insolence is only the noise of strangers; it is like the heat of the sun scorching in the middle of the day, but where is it when the sun is set?
The Lord always was, and always will be, the Refuge of distressed believers. Having provided them a shelter, he teaches them to flee to it.
"And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it." — Isaiah 25:6-8 (ASV)
The kind reception of repentant sinners is often likened in the New Testament to a feast. The guests invited are all people, Gentiles as well as Jews. The gospel contains that which strengthens and makes the heart glad, and is suitable for those who are under conviction of sin and mourning for it. A veil is spread over all nations, for all dwelt in darkness.
But this veil the Lord will destroy, by the light of his gospel shining in the world and the power of his Spirit opening people's eyes to receive it. He will raise to spiritual life those who were long dead in trespasses and sins. Christ will himself, in his resurrection, triumph over death.
Grief will be banished; there will be perfect and endless joy. Those who mourn for sin will be comforted. Those who suffer for Christ will have consolations. But in the joys of heaven, and in nothing less than these, this saying will be fully brought to pass: God shall wipe away all tears. The hope of this should now put an end to excessive sorrow and all weeping that hinders sowing.
Sometimes, in this world, God takes away the reproach of his people in the sight of others; however, it will be fully removed on the great day. Let us patiently bear sorrow and shame now; both will be removed soon.
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For in this mountain will the hand of Jehovah rest; and Moab shall be trodden down in his place, even as straw is trodden down in the water of the dung-hill. And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst thereof, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth [his hands] to swim; but [Jehovah] will lay low his pride together with the craft of his hands. And the high fortress of thy walls hath he brought down, laid low, and brought to the ground, even to the dust." — Isaiah 25:9-12 (ASV)
With joy and praise will those who looked for the Redeemer welcome the good news of him; and with a triumphant song, glorified saints will enter into the joy of their Lord. And it is not in vain to wait for him, for mercy comes at last, with abundant reward for the delay.
The hands once stretched out on the cross to make way for our salvation will eventually be stretched forth to destroy all impenitent sinners. Moab here represents all adversaries of God's people; they will all be trodden down or threshed. God will bring down the pride of the enemies by one humbling judgment after another. This destruction of Moab is symbolic of Christ's victory and the pulling down of Satan's strongholds.
Therefore, beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
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