“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined” (Isaiah 25:6).
One important aspect of the future kingdom of God is a banquet…a feast…a table (Matthew 8:11; 26:29; Revelation 19:6-10).
The table: not as physical object, but as a gathering of people who enjoy each other’s company and gladly share the food that is available.
Hence, in God’s economy, sharing a meal has an important place. The Early Church “grew” around the table (Acts 2:42ff).
Being inspired to look ahead, Isaiah was given a glance of a future event. He wrote about a feast; a spread; a table with people sharing food and wine.
Let’s note the context of this vision.
The table is set up/organized, by the Lord of hosts. “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago” (v.1)
Note the significance of this table: the Lord of hosts is the “host”; the abundance of food and wine; (God is an expert caterer…Jesus feeding the 5000, etc.) and the quality of the food and wine; (God is an expert when it comes to wine…John 2:1ff).
Are there other tables around? There are, of course.
The king’s table (Daniel 5:1) “King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them.” (v.1). God wasn’t invited. The table became a table of judgment.
Simon’s table (Luke 7:36ff) “Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.” (v.36). Jesus was the guest, yet he wasn’t treated as such. The table became a table of grace.
God’s table is a table of victory. You are invited!