Judgment of Babylon
September 20, 2019
Commentary
The “Desert by the Sea” could refer to the desert lands southeast of Babylon (v. 1). Possibly it was the great plain that Babylon stood on. The prophet saw in a vision an invader approaching and most commentators suggest this crisis as Elam and Media are viewed as going up against Babylon (v. 2). Isaiah shows a deep distress when he contemplates the slaughter of human beings and speaks of fear as well as horror (vv. 3-4). His reference to “the night of my pleasure” (v. 4) may have reference to Belshazzar’s banquet in Daniel (v. 5). The prophet had seen a vision; then he hears the word of the Lord (vv. 6-10). Isaiah is to have a man posed on the lookout. He was at his post for many days and his tour of duty wearied him but at last a lone character came with the news that Babylon had fallen.
“The burden of Dumah” (v. 11) refers to Edom, which was located south of Moab. These were the decedents of Esau and were (generally) the enemies of Israel. Isaiah’s announcement to the Edomites was that their land will be taken from them. Isaiah is the watchman (v. 12) as he warns that both morning and also the night are coming. He begs them to return to the Lord in whom alone they can find safety. The Assyrian army had brought fearful darkness to the nations; and Edom wanted to know if there was any hope of light (vv. 13-15). The prophet’s reply was that morning would come, because Assyria would be defeated by God in the fields of Judah (Isa. 37:36). Sad to say, Edom did not heed the warning (vv. 16-17).
Application
Just as Isaiah warned that there was a morning and an evening coming, and that the people needed to return to the Lord, so we have warning signs today that judgment is coming. We may be in the very last hours before the rapture which will signal swift and sudden destruction for those left behind. I am thankful that I am ready for the rapture?
Isaiah 21:1– 17 (NET)
1 This is an oracle about the wilderness by the Sea: Like strong winds blowing in the south, one invades from the wilderness, from a land that is feared.
2 I have received a distressing message: âThe deceiver deceives, the destroyer destroys. Attack, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning.â
3 For this reason my stomach churns; cramps overwhelm me like the contractions of a woman in labor. I am disturbed by what I hear, horrified by what I see.
4 My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror.
5 Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields!
6 For this is what the Lord has told me: âGo, post a guard! He must report what he sees.
7 When he sees chariots, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert.â
8 Then the guard cries out: âOn the watchtower, O Lord, I stand all day long; at my post I am stationed every night.
9 Look whatâs coming! A charioteer, a team of horses.â When questioned, he replies, âBabylon has fallen, fallen! All the idols of her gods lie shattered on the ground!â
10 O my downtrodden people, crushed like stalks on the threshing floor, what I have heard from the Lord of Heavenâs Armies, the God of Israel, I have reported to you.
11 This is an oracle about Dumah: Someone calls to me from Seir, âWatchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?â
12 The watchman replies, âMorning is coming, but then night. If you want to ask, ask; come back again.â
13 This is an oracle about Arabia: In the thicket of Arabia you spend the night, you Dedanite caravans.
14 Bring out some water for the thirsty. You who live in the land of Tema, bring some food for the fugitives.
15 For they flee from the swordsâ from the drawn sword, and from the battle-ready bow, and from the severity of the battle.
16 For this is what the Lord has told me: âWithin exactly one year all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end. 17 Just a handful of archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be left.â Indeed, the Lord God of Israel has spoken.
Illustration: God’s Warning Sounds
At an intersection, the green light changes to yellow; At the airport terminal the boarding call comes over the intercom; At a railroad crossing the lights begin to flash; In a small Midwestern town the tornado siren screams; On the football field the two minute warning sounds; In the cargo bay of a C-140 a red-light comes on; In the Desert of Judea, a voice of one calling in the wilderness is heard declaring, ââŹĹPrepare the way of the Lord.” (Guy Caley – Sermon Central)