The Humiliation of Babylon
January 8, 2022
Commentary
Isaiah describes Babylon’s fall to the Persians more than 150 years before the event took place. The prophet sees a time when the imposing conqueror, Babylon, shall be defeated and he pictures her as one who can do no more than sit in the dust (v. 1) This is an interesting statement as ancient Babylon, in spite of all its splendor, was in reality a kingdom built upon the dust of the desert of Shinar. Cast down from her imperial tower, she is reduced to the disgraceful status of a half-naked slave girl grinding meal with millstones (vv. 2-3). The day came when Israel realized that release from exile would come from God and not themselves (vv. 4-5). God used Babylon to punish His sinful people; He would use Medo-Persia to destroy Babylon and free His people.
Isaiah, speaking for God, further explains that he has only allowed Babylon to come to power and conquer Judah because He is angry at the sin of His people (v. 6). The unrepentant attitude of Babylon is that she will be in power forever (v. 7). She had not even considered the possibility that she would not be in a position of power forever. She thought that she could never be defeated (v. 8). Caught up in the pursuit of power and pleasure, Babylon believed in her own greatness and claimed to be the only power on earth. Though Babylon thought she was unique, she was wrong; God is the one who is unique, as Isaiah had stated repeatedly (vv. 9-12). The people of Babylon sought advice and help from astrologers and stargazers (v. 13). Astrology as common in Babylon (Dan 2:2) but their work was worthless (vv. 14-15). They could not deliver themselves from the hand of God.
Application
We need to ask ourselves, “Why do we rely on those who are powerless?” The helpless cannot help us. If I want help, I will find it in God who alone has power over the trials and circumstances of life.
Isaiah 47:1– 15 (NET)
1 “Fall down! Sit in the dirt, O virgin daughter Babylon! Sit on the ground, not on a throne, O daughter of the Babylonians! Indeed, you will no longer be called delicate and pampered.
2 Pick up millstones and grind flour. Remove your veil, strip off your skirt, expose your legs, cross the streams.
3 Let your naked body be exposed. Your shame will be on display! I will get revenge; I will not have pity on anyone,”
4 says our Protector— the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
5 “Sit silently! Go to a hiding place, O daughter of the Babylonians! Indeed, you will no longer be called ‘Queen of kingdoms.’
6 I was angry at my people; I defiled my special possession and handed them over to you. You showed them no mercy; you even placed a very heavy burden on old people.
7 You said, ‘I will rule forever as permanent queen!’ You did not think about these things; you did not consider how it would turn out.
8 So now, listen to this, O one who lives so lavishly, who lives securely, who says to herself, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me! I will never have to live as a widow; I will never lose my children.’
9 Both of these will come upon you suddenly, in one day! You will lose your children and be widowed. You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies, despite your many incantations and your numerous amulets.
10 You were complacent in your evil deeds; you thought, ‘No one sees me.’ Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray, when you say, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me!’
11 Disaster will overtake you; you will not know how to charm it away. Destruction will fall on you; you will not be able to appease it. Calamity will strike you suddenly, before you recognize it.
12 Persist in trusting your amulets and your many incantations, which you have faithfully recited since your youth! Maybe you will be successful — maybe you will scare away disaster.
13 You are tired out from listening to so much advice. Let them take their stand— the ones who see omens in the sky, who gaze at the stars, who make monthly predictions— let them rescue you from the disaster that is about to overtake you!
14 Look, they are like straw, that the fire burns up; they cannot rescue themselves from the heat of the flames. There are no coals to warm them, no firelight to enjoy.
15 They will disappoint you, those you have so faithfully dealt with since your youth. Each strays off in his own direction, leaving no one to rescue you.”
Illustration: Understanding The Plight of AfricanAmericans
John Howard Griffin was a white man who believed he could never understand the plight of African-Americans unless he became like one. In 1959, he darkened his skin with medication, sun lamps, and stains, then traveled throughout the South. His book, “Black Like Me,” helped whites better understand the humiliation and discrimination faced daily by people of color. Jesus Christ became like us; the Incarnation is evidence that God understands our plight. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isa. 53:3). (From Leadership: A Practical Journal for Christian Leaders.)