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.
Isaiah was a prophet in Jerusalem in the 8th century BC, and chapters 24-27 of his book are sometimes called "Isaiah's Apocalypse" — visions of the distant future when God sets everything right. In this verse, he sees God hosting a great banquet on "this mountain" — Mount Zion, which represented God's dwelling place. The guest list is extraordinary: not just Israel, but "all peoples" — every nation. The spread is lavish: the finest food, the best aged wine. In the ancient world, a feast hosted by a king was the ultimate symbol of honor, belonging, and celebration. Isaiah is saying there is a day coming when God will set an extravagant table and the invitation will go out to everyone.
Lord, on the days when everything feels like not enough, remind me of the feast you are preparing. Thank you that your table is wide and your invitation is real — that you hold a seat for people I might never have thought to include, including me. Let that change how I live today. Amen.
In the ancient Near East, who you ate with said everything about who you were. A seat at the king's table meant you belonged — you were known, honored, safe. Isaiah sees a day when the King of the universe throws open the doors of that banquet hall and the invitation goes out to every nation, every people, every stranger who ever wondered whether there was a place for them. Not a potluck. Not a soup kitchen. The best of meats and the finest of wines. God is not preparing adequate provision for the masses — he is preparing a feast. There is something almost scandalous about the extravagance of this vision. We live in a world crowded with invisible velvet ropes — you have to earn your place, prove your worth, be the right kind of person. But Isaiah's feast has no velvet rope. On the days when life feels like scraps — when you're grieving, exhausted, invisible, or hollow at 3 AM — this verse is not a consolation prize. It is a promise. The table is being set. You are invited. And if you follow this thread all the way through to the end of the New Testament, the host turns out to be someone you already know.
What do you think the banquet in this verse represents? Is it meant to be taken literally, metaphorically, or both — and does it matter which?
When you honestly imagine being welcomed to a table by God himself, what emotions come up — comfort, disbelief, relief, something else? What does that response tell you?
The invitation in this verse goes to 'all peoples' — not one chosen group. How does that expand or challenge your picture of who God is ultimately for?
Who in your immediate life or community is living as if there is no seat at the table for them? How might this vision change how you treat them?
This verse describes a future hope — but how does it actually change how you live today? What would it look like to bring some of that feast into someone's ordinary Tuesday?
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalms 23:5
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Isaiah 2:2
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 8:11
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Revelation 19:9
For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
Zechariah 9:17
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Hebrews 12:22
On this mountain [Zion] the LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples [to welcome His reign on earth], A banquet of aged wines—choice pieces [flavored] with marrow, Of refined, aged wines.
AMP
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.
ESV
The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, [And] refined, aged wine.
NASB
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.
NIV
And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees.
NKJV
In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
NLT
But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts.
MSG