Isaiah 27:1

‘That day’ is the day of punishment (see the final verse of chapter 26).

• Forty (40) years after God’s people escaped from Egypt, they entered the country called Canaan (see Joshua 1:11). There they heard about Leviathan. In ancient stories, Leviathan was a very ugly and cruel monster (huge animal). It was the fierce enemy of the gods from Canaan.

• Isaiah may use the word Leviathan to refer to God’s principal enemy, the devil. But Isaiah also uses the word to refer to Egypt, which was the enemy of God’s people in ancient times.

The song about the *vineyard

v2 When that day comes, sing a song about the fruitful *vineyard! v3 I, the *Lord, am looking after it. I water it constantly. I am guarding it night and day to prevent any damage to it. v4 I am not angry with the *vineyard. But if any *thorn-bushes or weeds appear, I will burn them. v5 If the enemies of my people want my protection, let them make peace with me. Yes, let them make peace with me. v6 Some day the people in Israel (that is, the family of Jacob) will be like a delightful tree that flowers. And the fruit that follows will fill the whole world.