Isaiah 25.6
How to understand words, fatty food and wine
There are many texts in Scripture that, when read literally, will give a false picture of God. In this article we will deal with Isaiah, chapter 25, verse 6.
King James Version (KJV) "And 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."
New International Version (NIV) Isaih 25.6 "On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-the best of meats and the finest of wines."
New American Standard Bible (NASB) "Now the Lord of armies will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine."
The text under discussion is not an encouragement or excuse for eating fatty foods and drinking wine. The following are some verses containing warnings:
Proverbs 23.19-21 "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags."
Proverbs 23.30-35 "They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."
Isaiah 5.22 "Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink."
Ephesians 5.18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."
Luke 21.34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
Reading the song of praise in Isaiah 25:6, we see the feast of the Lord God. The food and drink on the table, were prepared by God Himself, so we can expect them to be far superior to what man can prepare. However, when we read further, we see that there are fatty foods on the table, as well as wine, which the Scriptures repeatedly warn against. Are we sure that God would have set the table for guests in such a way? Read the later verses of this chapter and you will see that the destruction of death and the wiping away of tears takes place there. Is it possible to prepare a dish of meat without killing an animal? For God it is possible, only why eat fatty meat when you can eat better food. Why get drunk with wine when you can drink other drinks, prepared by God Himself?
Why the words fatty meat and protruding wine were used
For what purpose were the words used in the description; "fatty meat" and "protruding wine"?
The song of praise is clothed in "typically human" words and is addressed to everyone. At the time it was written, wine and fatty foods were considered among the best foods, for the Israelites. It was therefore reasonable to use words indicating the delicacies of the time.
We can find similar texts in the Scriptures, which are also written on a so-called "human level." For whom among us is it wonderful to sing and praise the Lord for a few hours? Would you be able to do it every day for millions of years, still having joy from it and never getting bored? Is singing hymns to God what you enjoy doing the most?
Would a person who does not believe strongly enough in God or is an unbeliever be encouraged by a description of heaven, where songs are sung daily for the Lord? Or would you agree that it is easier to reach such people using more down-to-earth terms?
