What does Isaiah 65:11 mean?
"But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number." - Isaiah 65:11
Isaiah 65:11 (KJV) reads, "But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Isaiah that deals with the waywardness and sinfulness of the people of Israel. In this particular verse, the Lord is addressing those who have turned away from Him and have instead chosen to worship false gods and engage in idolatry.
The verse begins with the declaration, "But ye are they that forsake the Lord." This is a direct accusation against the people of Israel, highlighting their decision to abandon and turn their back on the one true God. The rejection of the Lord is a central theme throughout the book of Isaiah as the prophet repeatedly calls the people to repent and return to a right relationship with God.
The next part of the verse says, "that forget my holy mountain." This is a reference to Mount Zion, which was considered the sacred dwelling place of God. The people of Israel were instructed to remember and honor Mount Zion as a symbol of God's presence among them. However, by forgetting the holy mountain, they were also forgetting the Lord and His commands.
The verse then goes on to say, "that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number." This is a clear condemnation of the people's participation in idolatrous practices. The "troop" and "number" mentioned here likely refer to other gods and deities that the Israelites were worshiping in place of the true God. By preparing tables and drink offerings for these false gods, the people were betraying their covenant with the Lord and engaging in spiritual adultery.
Overall, Isaiah 65:11 is a powerful indictment of the sinful and rebellious behavior of the people of Israel. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him.
In terms of the broader context of the book of Isaiah, this verse comes at a time when the prophet is addressing the spiritual and moral decline of the nation of Israel. Throughout the book, Isaiah delivers messages of judgment and hope, calling the people to repentance and offering them the promise of restoration and redemption.
The theme of idolatry is prevalent throughout the entire Bible, and it is particularly pronounced in the Old Testament. The worship of false gods and the forsaking of the one true God is consistently condemned, and Isaiah 65:11 is just one of many examples of this.
In terms of symbolism, the "holy mountain" mentioned in the verse represents the presence and sovereignty of God. Mount Zion was traditionally considered the dwelling place of God, and its significance in this verse serves as a powerful symbol of God's covenant with His people and His desire for them to remain faithful to Him.
In conclusion, Isaiah 65:11 is a powerful and poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and engaging in idolatry. It serves as a warning to all believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to reject the temptation of false gods. The verse also holds out the hope of restoration and redemption for those who repent and return to a right relationship with the Lord.
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Isaiah 65:11 - "But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number."
"But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number." - Isaiah 65:11
Psalms 65:11
Isaiah 65:8 A new wine
Isaiah 65:21 - "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them."
Isaiah 65:6 - "Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,"
Psalms 65:11 - "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness."
Isaiah 65:17 - "¶ For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."
Isaiah 65:23 - "They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them."
Isaiah 65:24 - "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."
Isaiah 65:3 - "A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;"
Isaiah 65:4 - "Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;"
Isaiah 65:19 - "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying."
Isaiah 65:10 - "And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me."
Isaiah 65:18 - "But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy."
Isaiah 65:14 - "Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit."
Isaiah 65:2 - "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;"
Isaiah 65:9 - "And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there."
Isaiah 65:15 - "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:"
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." - Isaiah 65:17
Isaiah 65:5 - "Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day."
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." - Isaiah 65:24
Isaiah 65:22 - "They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."
Isaiah 65:1 - "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name."
Isaiah 65:8 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all."
Isaiah 65:7 - "Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom."
Isaiah 65:25 - "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD."
"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness." - Psalms 65:11
"And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." - Isaiah 65:21
"Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom," - Isaiah 65:6