"Babylon Is Fallen"

The Oracle Concerning Babylon

Isaiah pronounced a future judgment against Israel and its neighboring nations. He saw some disturbing visions related to this. The first of these recorded was the judgment of Babylon. Isaiah spoke of an army gathering together and coming from distant lands. Isaiah told the people to cry out because the day of Babylon's destruction was at hand. There was a promise from God that He would put an end to these prideful people. This was to be a complete war, where even the women and children were not safe.

The vision of death and destruction was horrible. Isaiah warned that God was stirring up a particularly vicious group, the Medes, against Babylon. The Medes did not lust for silver and gold but for death and destruction. Isaiah foretold that this destruction would be like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jacob Restored, Babylon Destroyed

Isaiah promised that Israel and the house of Jacob would be restored. God would once again give the Israelites their own land, and travelers would join them. Isaiah declared that Israel would take prisoners from those that had held the Israelites as captives. What remained of Israel would then taunt the king of Babylon. The Israelites would announce how God had broken the once proud king and struck down the king's people. God promised to "sweep it [Babylon] with the broom of destruction" (Isaiah 14:23, ESV®).

Assyria, Philistia, Moab, and Damascus

Isaiah cautioned that God had sworn that He would utterly destroy Assyria. He said that God would free those that were enslaved there. Philistia would not do any better. When King Ahaz died, an oracle predicted that a great army would come from the north and destroy them. Moab, too, was set for destruction, according to the prophecy. A few would remain of Moab, but those remaining would be weak. Damascus would also be destroyed. Nothing but ruins would remain. The fortress of Ephraim would disappear.

Israel's Destruction

Isaiah continued by saying that God would destroy Israel. The people of Israel would know that all of the false gods that they worshipped would not be able to save them. Israel would be destroyed because the people had forgotten the one true God.

A Message for Cush

Isaiah also had a message for Cush. He said that Assyria—which Cush had been seeking allies to defend against—would be destroyed, and the people of Cush would one day come to Jerusalem and make offerings to the one true God.

Egypt

Isaiah said that God would make the idols of Egypt tremble at His presence and that God would pit Egyptians against Egyptians. He said that Egypt would use sorcerers and those who talk to the dead, but none of this would stop what God had in store for them. He warned that Egypt would be given over to a cruel master. He foresaw that the rivers would dry up in Egypt, and the fish would not be caught. The one that counseled Pharaoh would be confused and give bad advice. Once Egypt was brought down, the people would swear loyalty to God, and God would heal them. It was also prophesied that the Egyptians would worship God with the Assyrians one day, and Egypt, Assyria, and Israel would all be blessed.

The prophecies of Isaiah do not have an affixed timeline. Some of the prophecies are believed by some scholars not to have occurred yet.

Isaiah as a Sign

God spoke to Isaiah and told him that he was to walk naked and barefoot. Isaiah obeyed. He walked naked and barefoot for three years as a warning to Egypt and Cush because when the time came for them to be conquered, their people would have to walk naked and barefoot in captivity.

Babylon Falls

Isaiah had a terrible vision of the fall of Babylon. God had judged Babylon for its worship of false gods. The vision that Isaiah had was so disturbing that the horror of describing it appalled him. Dumah and Arabia were also part of the visions given to Isaiah.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem had a pronouncement set against it for all of the worship of false gods. The Assyrians would seize the city. Instead of turning to their only source of rescue and salvation, the people of Israel would begin to engage in a party. They would say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" (Isaiah 22:13, ESV®).

Summary

Isaiah was given visions of future events by God. Isaiah was told that the kingdoms of his day would be destroyed for their sinful ways. Among these sinful ways was the constant worship of false gods. Isaiah was even told to remove his clothing and walk naked and barefoot as a warning of God's coming judgment on the nations of the Earth.

Application and Reflection

Application

Isaiah was given a glimpse into coming events. Many of these were horrible, but he did what God told him to do as a prophet. God may sometimes have an unpleasant duty for us to perform, but we must perform it to the best of our abilities.

Reflection

Throughout the Bible, there is a continuing theme of nations sinning against God and returning to God when times get tough. This can also be seen on a personal level for many. We should worship, praise, and obey God during the good times as well as seek His help during difficult times. Do you praise God when you are going through the good times in your life?

Isaiah foretold the destruction of ________