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.”

Certainly! Let’s do a Bible study on Isaiah 65:11, as it appears in the King James Version (KJV). Isaiah 65:11 says: This verse is part of a larger passage where the prophet Isaiah speaks on behalf of God, addressing the rebellious and idolatrous behavior of the people of Israel. Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning within the context of the chapter and the broader themes of the Bible.

1. Forsaking the LORD: The verse begins by addressing the people who have forsaken the Lord. This implies that they have turned away from God, abandoned His ways, and rejected His commands. The people have chosen to worship false gods and idols instead.

2. Forgetting the holy mountain: The phrase “forget my holy mountain” refers to Mount Zion, the place where God chose to establish His presence and where the temple was built in Jerusalem. The people of Israel were instructed to worship and seek God at this holy site, but they have disregarded its significance and neglected their relationship with God.

3. Preparing a table for that troop: Here, the verse speaks of the people preparing a table for “that troop.” The exact meaning of “that troop” is debated among scholars. Some interpret it as a reference to the idolatrous deities that the people have chosen to worship instead of the true God. Others see it as a metaphorical description of the people making offerings and sacrifices to other gods.

4. Furnishing the drink offering unto that number: The verse continues to describe the people’s idolatrous practices by mentioning the “drink offering.” In the Old Testament, drink offerings were often part of religious rituals and were poured out as an act of worship to God. However, in this context, the people are offering these drink offerings to “that number,” which likely refers to the false gods and idols they have chosen to follow.

Overall, Isaiah 65:11 serves as a rebuke to the people of Israel for their abandonment of God and their engagement in idolatry. It highlights their rejection of God’s ways and their failure to honor Him as the one true God. This verse emphasizes the importance of staying faithful to God and not turning to false gods or idolatrous practices.