Isaiah 25:6-8

DISCOURSE: 892
THE GOSPEL A SOURCE OF RICHEST BLESSINGS

Isaiah 25:6. In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people 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 cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the 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: for the Lord hath spoken it.

MANY passages of Scripture, which, from the language, might be supposed to belong to the Jewish dispensation only, will be found to refer in a more especial manner to the times of the Gospel. The “mountain” so frequently mentioned in this place was Mount Zion, which was distinguished above all other mountains by being the peculiar residence of the Deity: and it should seem that all the great things which God promised to the world, were to be transacted upon that spot. But Mount Zion was a type of the Gospel Church, wherein God yet more eminently dwells: and it is in the Church of Christ that he bestows the blessings which are here promised. The Gospel, which is here promulgated, affords,

I. Food to the hungry—

The Gospel calls us to a luxurious feast—
[The terms in which this feast is expressed, are evidently intended to raise in our minds the highest possible conceptions of its excellency. “A feast” is far more than a common meal, and conveys an idea of costliness and abundance: a feast “of fat things” imports that the choicest provisions are set forth: and the fat things being “full of marrow,” suggests, that no expense is spared in procuring whatever can provoke the appetite of the guests, or afford them pleasure. But “wines” are also added; wines that have contracted a delicious flavour by being long kept “upon the lees;” and wines “well refined,” that are bright as a ruby, that “sparkle in the glass,” and that delight the eye whilst they gratify the palate. What are we to understand from this accumulation of ideas, but that, as the choicest viands administer nourishment and comfort to the body, so the Gospel provides every thing which can exhilarate and support the soul. After all, this representation falls very far short of the truth: for the promises of the Gospel are infinitely sweeter to the hungering and thirsting soul than the most exquisite food can be to our taste. Let but a sinner, who pants after pardon, be enabled to apply to his soul that promise of Jehovah, That “crimson sins shall be made white as snow,” or that word of Christ, That “whosoever cometh to him he will in no wise cast out;” what transports of joy will he not feel! how will he be “filled as with marrow and fatness, while he praises his God with joyful lips!” What strength did that word, “My grace is sufficient for thee,” administer to Paul under the buffetings of Satan! In the strength of that one meal he was enabled to go on, not for forty days only, but to the latest hour of his life [Note: In allusion to Elijah, 1 Kings 19:7.]. And such is the Gospel to all who cordially embrace it.]

This feast has God himself prepared for all people—
[It is none other than “the Lord of hosts” who has spread this table at his own expense. And he invites “all people,” not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also; yea, the very vilest of the human race. He sends out his servants into the highways and hedges, to call the halt, the lame, and the blind, and orders them to take no refusal, but to compel them to come in [Note: Matthew 22:4.Luke 14:17; Luke 14:21.].” Yea, though in every succeeding age there have been myriads of guests brought in, yet his message to us is, that “yet there is room.”]

But, as this feast can be of no use to those who feel not their need of it, nor discern its excellency, the Gospel suits itself to our necessities, and offers,

II.

Light to the blind—

There is a thick, impenetrable “veil” over the hearts of men—
[The lusts and prejudices of men cast a film over their eyes, and incapacitate them from discerning spiritual things: and Satan by his subtle devices confirms their blindness [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:4.]. As the Jews, even while Moses was read to them every Sabbath day, were unable, by reason of the veil that was upon their hearts, to comprehend the great ends and purposes of the Mosaic dispensation [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:14.], so thousands who live under the light of the Gospel are total strangers to its fundamental truths; or admit them only in theory, while they are destitute of any experimental knowledge of them in their hearts. “They have eyes, but see not; ears, but hear not; hearts, but understand not.”]

But God by his Gospel removes this veil—
[“He who commanded light to shine out of darkness will shine into the hearts” of those who seek him. “The things which flesh and blood could never have discovered, he will reveal unto them [Note: Matthew 16:17.].” He will shew them the evil of sin, the depravity of their hearts, the fulness and suitableness of Christ, the stability of the covenant, together with every thing else which they need to know. He will not merely turn aside the veil, and give them a transient view of the holy of holies, but will “destroy” the veil, and “rend it in pieces from the top to the bottom.” It is true, this clear knowledge of divine truth will not be imparted all at once; but it shall gradually increase, till they “see as they are seen, and know as they are known.”]

To complete the happiness of his people, God further promises,

III.

Victory to the oppressed—

The former part of the text refers to the apostolic and millennial periods; but the latter will not be accomplished till the day of judgment. To that season in particular St. Paul applies the words before us [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:54.]. Taking him for our guide, we are in no danger of misinterpreting their import, whilst we say, that God will rescue us from,

1. The power of death—

[Death is even now disarmed of its sting; and the king of terrors is made our friend. They who through the Gospel are enabled to live unto Christ, may justly account it “gain to die:” not life only, but even death itself, is numbered among their treasures [Note: Philippians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 3:22.]. Such is their victory over it, that it is an object of hope and desire rather than of terror and aversion [Note: Philippians 1:23.]: and when it comes, they are not so properly said to die, as to “fall asleep in Jesus.” Nor will its apparent triumphs be of long duration; for that which swallowed up mankind with insatiable avidity, shall itself “be swallowed up in victory,” and not a vestige of it ever again be found among the saints of God.]

2. The sorrows of sin—

[Whilst we continue in the body there will be occasion for us to “go on our way weeping.” But even now the sorrows of believers are widely different from the sorrows of the world: instead of corroding the heart, they bring a peace along with them; and the persons who are most affected with them, so far from wishing to get rid of them, desire to have them more deep and abiding. But ere long they shall sully the face no more; but shall be “wiped away” by the hand of a compassionate Father, and be followed by a harvest of eternal joy [Note: Revelation 21:4; Revelation 7:16.]

3. The reproaches of the world—

[There is scarcely any thing which an ungodly world will not say or do, to asperse the character of the godly, and to destroy their peace. But God in this world so far “takes away their rebuke,” as often to manifest himself to them, and to interpose visibly on their behalf [Note: Ex. gr. Joseph, Daniel, the Hebrew Youths. &c.]. But in a little time “He will bring forth their righteousness as the noon day;” and they who were regarded “as the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things,” shall be openly acknowledged as the children of the living God.]

Address—
1.

To those who are living at a distance from God—

[Whatever you may promise yourselves from the enjoyment of this world, you in reality are feeding only on husks; and however you may boast of attainments in philosophy, there is a veil on your hearts that hides from you all spiritual knowledge. Besides, whatever satisfaction you feel, or whatever reputation you enjoy, death will speedily swallow up both you and it, and will consign you over to everlasting shame and misery. Say, then, whether you have not made a wretched choice, and whether the mourning and despised Christian be not in a far happier state than you? It is not however too late for you to repent: the invitations of the Gospel are sent to you as well as to others; and if you put away your vain excuses, and return to God as prodigals, you shall find a cordial welcome, and feast this very hour on the fatted calf. O that the “scales may fall from your eyes;” and that, being “brought from darkness unto light, you may be turned from the power of Satan unto God!”]

2. To those who are come to God’s holy mountain—

[You find that the promises of the Gospel have not disappointed you. If you are not “satisfied with the plenteousness of God’s house,” it is not because the provisions are withheld from you, but because you want a better appetite for them. “Be not straitened in yourselves;” and be sure you never shall be straitened in your God: “open your mouth wide, and he will fill it.” Above all things remember to feed continually on “the body and blood of your beloved Lord; for his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed [Note: John 6:54.].” And soon you shall be called to the banquet above, where “your Lord shall gird himself and come forth to serve you.” Then shall these promises receive their full accomplishment; and you shall possess that “fulness of joy which is at God’s right hand for evermore.”]