Reclaiming the mountains

Yahweh warns that He is going to measure out the wages for those who defy him (Isaiah 65:6-7):

A. I will repay to their bosom

B. their iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers

C. because they have turned-to-smoke

D. on mountains

D’. And on high places 

C’. have scorned me.

B.’ I will measure their former wages

A’. into their bosom.

Still, Yahweh promises that he will not destroy the whole vine of Israel. There is still new wine in the cluster, and blessing in the new wine (v. 8). More, He promises to bring a seed from Jacob to replant and from the royal tribe of Judah an heir of Yahweh’s mountains. 

These “mountains” are the same as the high places of idolatrous worship (v. 7). What Isaiah prophesies is not only a king from Judah but one who will clear the mountains and reclaim them as “My mountains.” Flocks and herds – that is, Israel – will dwell on the hillsides and in the valleys (v. 10). 

It’s difficult to avoid the conclusion that Isaiah is prophesying of the reforms of Josiah, an heir from Judah who reclaimed the high places of Yahweh for Yahweh.