Friday, November 27, 2020

Chapter 13 - Babylon is overthrown

Isaiah's 13th chapter (he had no idea it was chapter 13, but that's not the point) is an oracle against Babylon. Curious - Assyria has been the main player in Isaiah's world so far; Babylon would rise up later in Israel's history. But the Bible often uses Babylon as the symbol for the system of the world - cultural arrogance and self-reliance, trusting in wealth and health.

Isaiah 13:1 (HCSB) An oracle against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

In this vision of judgment Isaiah saw, we read (verses 2 - 4) the gathering of an army. It's not until the last phrase of verse 4 we find out Who's doing this: "The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war. They are coming from a far land, from the distant horizon— the LORD and the weapons of His wrath— to destroy the whole country."  The object of YHWH's wrath is not, at this point, the nation of Israel; it is Babylon, the whore of the world's system of greed and violence. And none can stop His hand!

Isaiah 13:6 (HCSB) Wail! For the day of the LORD is near. It will come like destruction from the Almighty.

What can man do when judgment comes? Isaiah 13:7-8 (HCSB) Therefore everyone’s hands will become weak, and every man’s heart will melt. They will be horrified; pain and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look at each other, their faces flushed with fear.

And again: Isaiah 13:9 (HCSB) Look, the day of the LORD is coming— cruel, with rage and burning anger— to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners on it.

Ah, but aren't we told by people who know Him not that God is a gentleman Who would never do harm to anyone! Recall this from chapter 1: "If the LORD of Hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah."

Verses 10-12 describes the impact of this judgment, followed by: Isaiah 13:13-14 (HCSB) Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will shake from its foundations at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts, on the day of His burning anger. Like wandering gazelles and like sheep without a shepherd, each one will turn to his own people, each one will flee to his own land.

Verse 13 ought to cause us to think of: Hebrews 12:25-27 (HCSB) Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven. This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain.

And verse 14 is shown in Isaiah 53:6 (HCSB) "We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way" and cited in 2 Peter 2:25. Even those chosen by God to be redeemed are not inclined to seek Him or follow Him until that redemption is applied.

Verses 15-18 is a graphic description of the woe that befalls those who are sought out by the great Shepherd of our souls - they are without the compassion of the Lord, being the objects of His wrath.

Isaiah 13:19 (HCSB) And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them.

Here is the result: Babylon; the archetype of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; will be like Sodom and Gomorrah. The last few verses of chapter 13 reinforce this.

When judgment comes, no amount of worldly power will protect one rebel. The fool thinks his wealth (bigger barns) will satisfy his soul. Hear and heed this refrain: None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good. Keep your eyes focused on Him, fellow saints. He is the faithful one!

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