Judgment of Nations (13-23)
In this section, Isaiah prophecies judgment against various nations.
Judgment against Babylon (13:1-14:2) and its king (14:3-23). Babylon was not yet a major threat in Isaiah's day, but God revealed to Isaiah their coming judgment. The vision reveals that God would call the Medes (13:17) would carry out his wrath against Babylon (13:3). Cosmic language is used (for example, 13:10) to convey the severity of this judgment. The evil of Babylon (Psalm 137) would come full circle and envelop them (13:16). The effects would be enduring (13:19). Israel would be freed from their Babylonian captivity (this happened through Cyrus, 14:1).
The King of Babylon himself would fall (14:4). This passage has most popularly been taken to be about Satan. The story goes that Lucifer (morning star, 14:12) is another name for Satan. Satan fell from heaven because of his pride and ambition (14:13-14). But contextually, it is hard to justify this interpretation of the text. The passage is clearly about the King of Babylon (14:4, 16, 19) and uses cosmic imagery to speak of his pride, ambition, and demise. The imagery probably derives from the story of the tower of Babel (pride/ambition). 'Morning Star' is not a proper name (Lucifer) for Satan, but a royal title in the ancient world (see 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16).
The rest of the chapter seems to speak judgment against the predecessor of the Babylonian Empire (Assyria, 14:25) and the Philistines (14:29) who may have been glad to hear of the demise of these 2 powers.
Chapters 15-16 is a prophecy against Moab. This people group came from the incestuous union b/w Lot and one of his daughters. The Moabites had reason to mourn because they were going to be destroyed very shortly (16:14). On a positive note, however, there would be surviving fugitives who were to be received by Israel (16:4, 14b). They could share in the Messiah (16:5)!
Chapter 17 is an oracle against Damascus/Syria. Again, destruction was looming (17:14), but a remnant would remain (17:3, 6). This remnant would turn to the God of Israel (17:7). Chapter 18 is a prophecy against Cush (Nile region). But, again, a remnant will survive and bring gifts to the LORD Almighty (18:7).
Chapter 19 is a prophecy against Egypt (Assyria's rival). The LORD was set to come to Egypt (not bodily, but in judgment, 19:1). Her wise-men would look foolish in comparison to Isaiah (19:11-14). Yet again, a remnant would survive and acknowledge the LORD (19:21-22). The passage actually envisions Egyptians and Assyrians (a Gentile majority) worshiping with Israel (19:23-25)!
Chapter 20 involves an enacted prophecy. Isaiah was commanded to walk around naked (or nearly naked) for three years (20:2-3). This was a sign that Egypt and Cush would be humiliated by God's judgment through the Assyrians (20:4). This was intended to convince Israel not to put their hopes in an alliance with Egypt.
Chapter 21 is either another prophecy against Babylon or a prophecy against the greater Babylonian territory. In any case, the Medes were coming (21:2) in a frightening way (21:3-4). Edom was doomed too (21:11, Dumah being its capital). Arabia would suffer the same fate (21:13-17).
Chapter 22 speaks of an oracle concerning the valley of vision, but most commentators feel this concerns Jerusalem (22:9). Judgment was coming upon her too.
Chapter 23 concerns the coming judgment of Tyre.
2 themes emerge from these judgment chapters
1. Judgment is coming on everyone
2. There will be remnant survivors
Judgment against Babylon (13:1-14:2) and its king (14:3-23). Babylon was not yet a major threat in Isaiah's day, but God revealed to Isaiah their coming judgment. The vision reveals that God would call the Medes (13:17) would carry out his wrath against Babylon (13:3). Cosmic language is used (for example, 13:10) to convey the severity of this judgment. The evil of Babylon (Psalm 137) would come full circle and envelop them (13:16). The effects would be enduring (13:19). Israel would be freed from their Babylonian captivity (this happened through Cyrus, 14:1).
The King of Babylon himself would fall (14:4). This passage has most popularly been taken to be about Satan. The story goes that Lucifer (morning star, 14:12) is another name for Satan. Satan fell from heaven because of his pride and ambition (14:13-14). But contextually, it is hard to justify this interpretation of the text. The passage is clearly about the King of Babylon (14:4, 16, 19) and uses cosmic imagery to speak of his pride, ambition, and demise. The imagery probably derives from the story of the tower of Babel (pride/ambition). 'Morning Star' is not a proper name (Lucifer) for Satan, but a royal title in the ancient world (see 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16).
The rest of the chapter seems to speak judgment against the predecessor of the Babylonian Empire (Assyria, 14:25) and the Philistines (14:29) who may have been glad to hear of the demise of these 2 powers.
Chapters 15-16 is a prophecy against Moab. This people group came from the incestuous union b/w Lot and one of his daughters. The Moabites had reason to mourn because they were going to be destroyed very shortly (16:14). On a positive note, however, there would be surviving fugitives who were to be received by Israel (16:4, 14b). They could share in the Messiah (16:5)!
Chapter 17 is an oracle against Damascus/Syria. Again, destruction was looming (17:14), but a remnant would remain (17:3, 6). This remnant would turn to the God of Israel (17:7). Chapter 18 is a prophecy against Cush (Nile region). But, again, a remnant will survive and bring gifts to the LORD Almighty (18:7).
Chapter 19 is a prophecy against Egypt (Assyria's rival). The LORD was set to come to Egypt (not bodily, but in judgment, 19:1). Her wise-men would look foolish in comparison to Isaiah (19:11-14). Yet again, a remnant would survive and acknowledge the LORD (19:21-22). The passage actually envisions Egyptians and Assyrians (a Gentile majority) worshiping with Israel (19:23-25)!
Chapter 20 involves an enacted prophecy. Isaiah was commanded to walk around naked (or nearly naked) for three years (20:2-3). This was a sign that Egypt and Cush would be humiliated by God's judgment through the Assyrians (20:4). This was intended to convince Israel not to put their hopes in an alliance with Egypt.
Chapter 21 is either another prophecy against Babylon or a prophecy against the greater Babylonian territory. In any case, the Medes were coming (21:2) in a frightening way (21:3-4). Edom was doomed too (21:11, Dumah being its capital). Arabia would suffer the same fate (21:13-17).
Chapter 22 speaks of an oracle concerning the valley of vision, but most commentators feel this concerns Jerusalem (22:9). Judgment was coming upon her too.
Chapter 23 concerns the coming judgment of Tyre.
2 themes emerge from these judgment chapters
1. Judgment is coming on everyone
2. There will be remnant survivors
posted by matthew at 12:35 PM
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