Chapter 21 brings us oracles against Babylon (AGAIN!) and Arabia. We saw in chapter 13 that Babylon represented the world's system of prosperity, enticing men to lust after bigger barns. Arabia makes her first appearance in Isaiah's vision.
Isaiah 21:1-2a (HCSB) An oracle against the desert by the
sea: Like storms that pass over the Negev, it comes from the desert, from the
land of terror. A troubling vision is declared to me.
We find out in verse 9 that it is Babylon against whom this
oracle is spoken. Isaiah reveals a troubling vision that he was given, which
corresponds to a storm from the land of terror. Sleep well, Babylon.
The vision has treacherous people who lay siege and destroy what's
before them, perplexing and dismaying all who see them (vs 2b-3). Isaiah was
filled with anguish, his heart staggered as he was terrified by the sheer horror
before him (vs 4).
The next verse stands out because it's a non-sequitur. Isaiah
21:5 (HCSB) Prepare a table, and spread out a carpet! Eat and drink! Rise up,
you princes, and oil the shields!
This appears to be a reference to what we find in Daniel 5:1-4,
as Belshazzar held a great feast, having prepared a table for 1,000 - at which
there was much drinking. They may have been getting ready for battle, as oiling
shields would indicate. What awaits them?
In verses 6-8 Isaiah is told to post a lookout, who must pay
close attention to the field and report when he see riders coming. The lookout stands
day and night, his duties being more detailed in Ezekiel 33 & 34 where the
watchman appointed by God had certain responsibilities to warn, guard, and care
for the people of God. Being a watchman was post with much responsibility.
Isaiah 21:9-10 (HCSB) Look, riders come— horsemen in pairs.”
And he answered, saying, “Babylon has fallen, has fallen. All the images of her
gods have been shattered on the ground.” My people who have been crushed on the
threshing floor, I have declared to you what I have heard from the LORD of
Hosts, the God of Israel.
Here we see Babylon as the one spoken against. The watchman
sees horsemen coming with the message, "Babylon has fallen, has fallen."
Her gods have been smashed; the people of YHWH crushed on the threshing floor.
Isaiah declared what he heard from YHWH, God of Israel. There is no escape from
this judgment.
Next up is a very short oracle against Dumah - an oasis in
Arabia that was a major trade intersection.
Isaiah 21:11-12 (HCSB) An oracle against Dumah: One calls to
me from Seir, “Watchman, what is ⌊left⌋ of the night? Watchman, what is ⌊left⌋
of the night?” The watchman said, “Morning has come, and also night. If you want to ask, ask!
Come back again.”
The watchman is asked what of the night? He responds,
Morning has come as well as the night. The suffering goes on day and night.
Verse 13 begins the oracle against Arabia proper. Isaiah
21:13-15 (HCSB) An oracle against Arabia: In the desert brush you will camp for
the night, you caravans of Dedanites. Bring water for the thirsty. The
inhabitants of the land of Tema meet the refugees with food. For they have fled
from swords, from the drawn sword, from the bow that is strung, and from the
stress of battle.
Dedan and Tema were cities or regions in Arabia, representing
power aligned with Babylon. Arabia will camp for a short time, with water and
food for those who have fled the sword and the bow of judgment.
Isaiah 21:16-17 (HCSB) For the Lord said this to me: “Within
one year, as a hired worker counts years, all the glory of Kedar will be gone. The
remaining Kedarite archers will be few in number.” For the LORD, the God of
Israel, has spoken.
God had spoken: the glory of Kedar, another center of wealth
and power in Arabia, would be gone within the year. Reference to the
"hired worker" implies precise measurement of time, as those who
watch the clock are famous for doing. Only a remnant will be left - for YHWH,
the God of Israel, has spoken it.
The apostle to the Gentiles burned with love for his kinsmen
of the flesh and he wrote that, as with the people of Arabia in Kedar, only a
remnant of the people in national Israel would be saved. Our job is not to try
and save everyone. Our job is to be faithful with the gospel message that is
the power of life to those being saved. No matter our personal desire for any
people group, a remnant will be saved from every people, tongue, and tribe.
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