Tag: Isaiah 13-16
Babylon will fall!
Scripture reading for July 21st: Isaiah 13-16
Babylon was an ancient kingdom in the time of Isaiah. It rose to world-dominating status a few decades after the ministry of the prophet. As a city, Babylon rose to legendary status with it’s walls surrounding it and it’s hanging gardens. It was located in the present-day country of Iraq. Babylon was characterized by pride, false religion, idolatry and man-centered achievement. God hates pride and idolatry, and promised judgment through His prophet.
God’s army would bring “the day of the Lord”, a day of wrath against sinners. (Isaiah 13:6-9) This judgment would put an end to pride, arrogance, and the evil of the wicked. His army of “holy ones” would be none other than the Medes! (Isaiah 13:17) Isaiah prophetically predicted what God would do over 150 years before it happened! Daniel the prophet, at the end of the Babylonian captivity, got to read the handwriting of God on the wall the night Babylon fell to the Medes! (Daniel 5:25-28) The city would be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah, never to be inhabited again! (Isaiah 13:19-20)
Isaiah saw the day when God would have compassion on Israel and settle them in their own land. (Isaiah 14:1-2) Others would join themselves to Israel and Israel would possess the nations that have taken them captive! God’s Word is full of hope and truth.
The rest of Isaiah 14 is a taunt against the “king of Babylon” spoken by God’s people in the day they are set free! God, Himself, would break the power of this wicked king. He would be brought down to the grave and maggots and worms would cover him. All those leaders of the world now in the grave would ridicule him as he joined them. (Isaiah 14:9-11) Their ridicule turns into what some believe is a description of Satan and his fall. He was cast down because he had said in his heart that he would raise his throne above the stars of God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) But God would bring him down to the grave!
Behind all earthly political power and humanistic pride lurks the evil influence of Satan! We must be born again to escape! God has provided the way out in Jesus Christ! We can take up the taunt today against the “king of Babylon”! He is defeated!
God will judge Babylon!
Scripture reading for July 19th: Isaiah 13-16
Babylon was an ancient kingdom in the time of Isaiah. It rose to world-dominating status a few decades after the ministry of the prophet. The city of Babylon rose to legendary status with it’s massive walls and it’s hanging gardens. It was located in the present-day country of Iraq and was thought to be near to where the Garden of Eden was originally located. Babylon was characterized by pride, false religion, idolatry and man-centered achievement. God sent Isaiah a message for Babylon!
Isaiah warned Babylon of God’s army of “holy ones” who carry out His judgment. (Isaiah 13:3) God’s army would bring “the day of the Lord”, a day of wrath against all sinners. (Isaiah 13:6-9) This judgment would put an end to pride and arrogance and the evil of the wicked. It will be a day of trembling heavens and shaking on the earth! (Isaiah 13:11-13) This army of “holy ones” will be none other than the Medes! (Isaiah 13:17) Isaiah prophetically predicted what God would do over 150 years before it happened! Daniel the prophet got to read the handwriting of God on the wall of Babylon the night it fell to the Medes! (Daniel 5:25-28) The city would be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah, never to be inhabited again! (Isaiah 13:19-20)
Isaiah saw the day when God would again have compassion on Israel and settle them in their own land. (Isaiah 14:1-2) Israel would possess the nations that have taken them captive! What an amazing picture of hope to a people who would be judged and scattered throughout the world!
The rest of Isaiah 14 was a taunt against the “king of Babylon”. God, Himself, would break the power of this wicked king. He would be brought down to the grave and maggots and worms would cover him. All those leaders of the world now in the grave would respond to this ‘king’ in ridicule. (Isaiah 14:9-11) The ridicule then turns into what some believe is a description of Satan and his pride and fall. (Isaiah 14:12-16) God judged this “king” and brought him down to the grave!
Behind all earthly political power and humanistic pride lurks the evil influence of Satan! But God is in control and will bring down the proud and send them to eternal judgment! Those who trust in the Lord can take comfort in these ancient words that also speak to our time! God will triumph!
The Day of the Lord
Scripture reading for July 21st: Isaiah 13-16
God is in control of history and the future. He alone knows the future and can accurately predict what will happen. When God chooses to reveal his knowledge of coming events, He chooses a prophet or prophetess to tell what He will do. He is merciful so He warns those headed for His wrath so that they can escape through repentance. This time of judgment often spoken of in the Old Testament is called the “day of the Lord”. (Isaiah 13:9)
“See, the day of the Lord is coming–a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger– to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and humble the pride of the ruthless.” (Isaiah 13:9-11)
This day of the Lord is appointed by God. Man doesn’t know the time, but does know what it will bring. It will be a time of wrath against sin. Sinners, as well as the land, will be destroyed. The heavenly bodies will not shine forth their light as is usual. Even the sun will be darkened in the morning and the moon will not give any light. This day will be a day of punishment for the world and the wicked. The arrogant and ruthless will be dealt with and broken. God will be exalted on this day as the supreme ruler over all!
Jesus Christ warned his followers of this day. They were to be aware of the signs of the approaching day and not be caught unprepared. In Matthew 24:29 Jesus quotes Isaiah 13:10 as the event that will immediately precede His coming again to gather His elect from the corners of the earth. No one will know the day or the hour, but we are to be watchful and not be caught sleeping or unprepared! (Matthew 24:36-44) We must be ready because this day of the Lord could come at any time and only those who are ready will go! Check out your preparedness today! Tomorrow may be too late!
God judges Babylon!
Scripture reading for July 21st: Isaiah 13-16
Babylon was an ancient kingdom in the time of Isaiah. It rose to world-dominating status a few decades after the ministry of the prophet. As a city, Babylon rose to legendary status with it’s walls surrounding it and it’s hanging gardens. It was located in the present-day country of Iraq and was near to where the Garden of Eden was originally located. Babylon was characterized by pride, false religion, idolatry and man-centered achievement. God, however, hates pride and idolatry, and promises judgment on those made in His image who oppose His people and plans. Isaiah, in the chapters for today, brings God’s Word to those in Babylon.
God has an army of “holy ones” who will carry out His wrath and judgment. (Isaiah 13:3) He warns the Babylonians that His judgment is coming. God is merciful to those outside of His covenant as well as to His own people! God’s army will bring “the day of the Lord”, a day of wrath against sinners. (Isaiah 13:6-9) This judgment will put an end to pride and arrogance and the evil of the wicked. It will be a day of trembling heavens and shaking on the earth! (Isaiah 13:11-13) This army of “holy ones” will be none other than the Medes! (Isaiah 13:17) Isaiah prophetically predicted what God would do over 150 years before it happened! Daniel the prophet got to read the handwriting of God on the wall of Babylon the night it fell to the Medes! (Daniel 5:25-28) The city would be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah, never to be inhabited again! (Isaiah 13:19-20)
Isaiah sees the day when God will have compassion on Israel and settle them in their own land. (Isaiah 14:1-2) Others will join themselves to Israel and Israel will possess the nations that have taken them captive! What an amazing picture of hope to a people who would be judged and scattered throughout the world! God’s Word is amazing and true!
The rest of Isaiah 14 is a taunt against the “king of Babylon” to be spoken by God’s people in the day they are set free! God, Himself, would break the power of this wicked king. He would be brought down to the grave and maggots and worms would cover him. All those leaders of the world now in the grave will be stirred and respond to this ‘king’ in ridicule. (Isaiah 14:9-11) The ridicule then turns into what some believe is a description of Satan and his pride and fall. The “king” is called “morning star” and is cast down to the earth. He is cast down because he has said in his heart that he will raise his throne above the stars of God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) In a series of five “I will” statements, this “king” promises he will make himself like the “Most High”! God, however, judges this “king” and brings him down to the grave!
Behind all earthly political power and humanistic pride lurks the evil influence of Satan! God is in control and will judge him and all who stay under Satan’s influence. We must be born again to escape! God has provided the way out in Jesus Christ! We can take up the taunt today against the “king of Babylon”! He loses and we win!