In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.
Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?
In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.
When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
Isaiah 27 offers a powerful glimpse into the future, completing a section (Isaiah 24-27) that speaks of a time when the Lord will ultimately set all things right. This chapter seamlessly blends judgment and redemption, offering both warnings and promises of restoration for Israel and the world. Understanding Isaiah 27 requires recognizing its place within the broader context of Isaiah's prophecies, particularly the "day of the Lord," a time of both reckoning and renewal.
The Defeat of Leviathan and the Restoration of the Vineyard (Isaiah 27:1-6)
Isaiah 27:1 declares that in "that day," the Lord will decisively defeat Leviathan, described as a "fleeing serpent" and a "twisting serpent." This imagery, drawing from ancient Near Eastern mythology, symbolizes God's triumph over chaos and evil. Isaiah isn't endorsing the myth as fact, but rather using familiar imagery to depict God's ultimate victory over His enemies and the establishment of order on earth. This echoes earlier themes of judgment against those who oppose God (Isaiah 26:5-6).
The prophet then shifts to a contrasting image: Israel as a vineyard. This isn't the first time Isaiah uses this metaphor. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the vineyard represented Israel, but it was a vineyard that failed to produce good fruit, leading to its abandonment. In Isaiah 27, however, the vineyard is restored and flourishing under the Lord's care. This highlights the dramatic transformation that awaits God's people. The Lord declares He has "no wrath" (Isaiah 27:4) towards this restored vineyard, signifying a reconciliation and a renewed commitment to its prosperity. He will tend to it, protect it, and ensure it yields abundant fruit (Isaiah 27:2-3).
Even with this restoration, God anticipates internal threats, represented as invasive plants. His desire is for these "hostiles"—unbelievers—to repent and be reconciled to Him. Ultimately, the abundant fruit from the vineyard of Israel and Judah will bless the entire world (Isaiah 27:6). This echoes Old Testament promises that Israel will be a blessing to all nations. Israel will "blossom and bloom and fill the whole world with fruit," (Isaiah 27:6) underscoring the coming restoration of Israel and setting Israel’s situation into relief with that of the nations.
Judgment and Refining (Isaiah 27:7-11)
Isaiah transitions to address God's judgment on Judah. While the Lord's discipline will be severe, it will not be as complete as the judgment on other nations. This punishment serves as a refining process, purging the nation of its sins. One key indication of Judah's repentance will be the complete removal and destruction of idolatry (Isaiah 27:9). This purification, however, will come through severe chastisement, including exile (Isaiah 27:8).
The prophet paints a desolate picture of Jerusalem, the "fortified city," becoming a place where animals graze (Isaiah 27:10). Despite God's covenant love for His people, their sin necessitates Him turning away. Isaiah 27:11 poignantly states, "Their Maker will not have compassion on them or be gracious to them." This is a sobering reality for the nation chosen to be God's own possession.
The Promise of Regathering (Isaiah 27:12-13)
Isaiah 27 concludes with a hopeful prophecy of Israel's future regathering. The Lord will collect His scattered people from Assyria and Egypt, bringing them back to their land. A great trumpet will sound, calling the exiles to return and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. This promise offers comfort and assurance that exile and suffering will not be the end of Israel's story. God's covenant faithfulness endures, and He will ultimately restore His people to their rightful place.
Isaiah 27 offers a message of hope amidst judgment, highlighting God's ultimate plan to redeem and restore His people. It reminds us that even in times of difficulty and discipline, God's love and faithfulness remain steadfast. The chapter is a testament to God's power to transform brokenness into beauty and to fulfill His promises to His chosen people.
In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.
Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?
In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.
When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
Isaiah 27 offers a powerful glimpse into the future, completing a section (Isaiah 24-27) that speaks of a time when the Lord will ultimately set all things right. This chapter seamlessly blends judgment and redemption, offering both warnings and promises of restoration for Israel and the world. Understanding Isaiah 27 requires recognizing its place within the broader context of Isaiah's prophecies, particularly the "day of the Lord," a time of both reckoning and renewal.
The Defeat of Leviathan and the Restoration of the Vineyard (Isaiah 27:1-6)
Isaiah 27:1 declares that in "that day," the Lord will decisively defeat Leviathan, described as a "fleeing serpent" and a "twisting serpent." This imagery, drawing from ancient Near Eastern mythology, symbolizes God's triumph over chaos and evil. Isaiah isn't endorsing the myth as fact, but rather using familiar imagery to depict God's ultimate victory over His enemies and the establishment of order on earth. This echoes earlier themes of judgment against those who oppose God (Isaiah 26:5-6).
The prophet then shifts to a contrasting image: Israel as a vineyard. This isn't the first time Isaiah uses this metaphor. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the vineyard represented Israel, but it was a vineyard that failed to produce good fruit, leading to its abandonment. In Isaiah 27, however, the vineyard is restored and flourishing under the Lord's care. This highlights the dramatic transformation that awaits God's people. The Lord declares He has "no wrath" (Isaiah 27:4) towards this restored vineyard, signifying a reconciliation and a renewed commitment to its prosperity. He will tend to it, protect it, and ensure it yields abundant fruit (Isaiah 27:2-3).
Even with this restoration, God anticipates internal threats, represented as invasive plants. His desire is for these "hostiles"—unbelievers—to repent and be reconciled to Him. Ultimately, the abundant fruit from the vineyard of Israel and Judah will bless the entire world (Isaiah 27:6). This echoes Old Testament promises that Israel will be a blessing to all nations. Israel will "blossom and bloom and fill the whole world with fruit," (Isaiah 27:6) underscoring the coming restoration of Israel and setting Israel’s situation into relief with that of the nations.
Judgment and Refining (Isaiah 27:7-11)
Isaiah transitions to address God's judgment on Judah. While the Lord's discipline will be severe, it will not be as complete as the judgment on other nations. This punishment serves as a refining process, purging the nation of its sins. One key indication of Judah's repentance will be the complete removal and destruction of idolatry (Isaiah 27:9). This purification, however, will come through severe chastisement, including exile (Isaiah 27:8).
The prophet paints a desolate picture of Jerusalem, the "fortified city," becoming a place where animals graze (Isaiah 27:10). Despite God's covenant love for His people, their sin necessitates Him turning away. Isaiah 27:11 poignantly states, "Their Maker will not have compassion on them or be gracious to them." This is a sobering reality for the nation chosen to be God's own possession.
The Promise of Regathering (Isaiah 27:12-13)
Isaiah 27 concludes with a hopeful prophecy of Israel's future regathering. The Lord will collect His scattered people from Assyria and Egypt, bringing them back to their land. A great trumpet will sound, calling the exiles to return and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. This promise offers comfort and assurance that exile and suffering will not be the end of Israel's story. God's covenant faithfulness endures, and He will ultimately restore His people to their rightful place.
Isaiah 27 offers a message of hope amidst judgment, highlighting God's ultimate plan to redeem and restore His people. It reminds us that even in times of difficulty and discipline, God's love and faithfulness remain steadfast. The chapter is a testament to God's power to transform brokenness into beauty and to fulfill His promises to His chosen people.