Isaiah 13:1-22

Sovereignty is a concept that can make us uneasy and is often difficult for us to understand.  We all like to think that we are the authors of our own destiny and that we are in control of our lives.  The will of God and the will of man will always seem mutually exclusive in our minds.  I do not pretend to be able to reconcile these two concepts other than to say that it is clear that we are responsible for the choices we make in life and that God is in complete control of all that happens in the universe.  God’s control is clearly on display in the next several chapters as Isaiah will be prophesying concerning the nations surrounding Israel.  It is clear that God is rising one nation up and tearing another nation down according to his sovereign will.  Today’s chapter is a prophesy concerning the destruction of Babylon.

THE DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON IS COMING: At the time of Isaiah’s writing, Babylon had not yet conquered Judah.  However, even before they ascended to domination God is already revealing their destruction.  When a nation exalts itself above God and demonstrates no fear or recognition of God; we can rest assured that God is moving in the nations to bring about the judgment of that nation.  God calls to rally the armies of one nation to execute His judgment on another nation.  That does not necessarily mean that God is in approval of the conquering nation.  It simply means that God is using them to accomplish His will.  They are instruments in His sovereign hands to accomplish His sovereign will.  When God empowers one nation over another nation there is no question as to what the outcome will be.  Isaiah speaks in very certain terms of the anguish and destruction that will come.  We can rest in this assurance that God is in control of the nations of the world and He is working to accomplish His will in the history of the nations.  We may not understand His workings but we can certainly be assured that He is working and that it will result in God’s ultimate glory.


THE DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON WILL BE COMPLETE: When God sets out to do a job; He does it completely.  Babylon was a powerful kingdom with impressive infrastructure along with ornate palaces.  The splendor of Babylon was a spectacle that impressed men and inspired the creators of this grandeur to arrogance.  God does not take well to arrogance so He determined to humiliate and annihilate this gaudy kingdom.  Isaiah speaks of this destruction in graphic and even disturbing language.  Not only the warriors of Babylon will be destroyed, but the women and small children will also be wiped from the face of the earth.  The Medes and the Persians will lay this nation to waste and the capitol city will become the homes of wild animals and beasts.  The lavish homes will be inhabited by wild dogs, goats and ostriches.  God’s judgment is always very complete.  God’s wrath against sinful men has been repeatedly displayed throughout the history of mankind.  We know that God judges and how He judges.  This knowledge ought to inspire us to live in submission to Him.  The immorality and godlessness of this generation is clearly a real cause for concern.  God will judge this world too and His judgment will be complete.  We must to all we can to prepare for that tragic yet glorious day.

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