Isaiah 21:1-17

Nations rise and fall according to the sovereign plan of God.  Isaiah has been given the revelation of God’s will and intent for the nations that surround Israel.  These nations have been a source of fear, judgment and temptation for Israel.  God has used them to call Israel back to Himself or to discipline them for their disobedience.  They were victorious for a time because God was using them to accomplish His will.  However, instead of humbly recognizing the power of God at work in their midst and living in fear of Him, they became proud and even more sinful in their attitudes and actions.  God is now getting ready to call them to judgment.

THE JUDGMENT OF BABYLON: Babylon and her leaders were used to take Judah into captivity.  We know that Daniel was taken captive and ended up serving in the highest offices of this kingdom and those that were to come.  However even before they had destroyed Jerusalem and taken the captives into exile, God had already planned their overthrow at the hand of the Meads and the Persians.  We can rest assured that God is in control of the events of this world and is never taken by surprise by the rise and fall of any nation.  These things are orchestrated by Him and take place by His design and for His glory.

THE JUDGMENT OF EDOM: Edom was a source of constant conflict for that nation of Israel.  Her roots go back into the days of Abraham and will still continue far into the future.  God has His purpose in these things and He is at work to accomplish His will.  Those who are in charge of watching the events of the nations of the world will be shocked by the news that they receive of the downfall of this nation.  Our sins may cause conflicts that are long lasting and have a very high price but we can be sure that God can even use our failures to bring about His purposes.


THE JUDGMENT OF ARABIA: Arabia was a nation with great wealth and many caravans of traders with a wide variety of goods.  This prosperity and commerce would all come to a screeching halt according to the Word of God given to Isaiah.  Within a year’s time they would be overtaken and the glorious nation would fall.  We cannot allow our prosperity to fill us with pride and put us in a place where we are under the condemnation of God.  Humility and gratitude towards the Lord is the attitude we must maintain towards Him no matter how prosperous we may become.

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