Isaiah 24-27
Today, at the Morton United Methodist Church, we celebrate the life of a saint: Larry Dale Deppe, devoted believer, faithful husband, godly son, wonderful father, delighted grandfather, passionate pilot, respected church leader, and—as the Apostle Paul urged Timothy—a “faithful handler of the Word of God.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
I find it no coincidence that in today’s Scripture we find a picture of heaven. Just three verses in the center of Isaiah 25 tell the story. Start at v. 6 and read through v. 8. Heaven is like a mountaintop feast, prepared by the Lord himself and offered to all. Isaiah tries to do justice to the rich faire, but we get the feeling he falls short. Two things are missing from this incredible banquet: disgrace and death. Sin’s side effects are gone; we are feasting, tearless and victorious on the mountain. Right now, I am imagining Larry there. And I know he flew several up to the summit with him!
Isaiah 24 is the judgment that must precede the new heaven and earth. Look for the cataclysmic language that runs throughout. Perhaps vv. 19-20 are the most vivid: “The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken; the earth staggers like a drunken man...transgressing lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again.”
Isaiah 25 is the victory banquet.
Isaiah 26 begins with a song that will be sung “that day” in the land of Judah. My favorite line is this: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.” (26:3) But somewhere in the course of this chapter, we lose the heavenly setting and God’s people are encouraged to “hide” for a while until the fury of the Lord has passed (26:20).
Isaiah 27 describes a future revival and restoration of Israel; a day will come when the lost from Assyria to Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain of Jerusalem. Is that where the feast will be?
Tomorrow, the scene shifts back to the more imminent threat of Israel’s exile!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
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