A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:
Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles. I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath— those who rejoice in my triumph. Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Because of this, all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame.
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 will humble the pride of the ruthless.
Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, they will all return to their own people, they will flee to their native land. Whoever is captured will be thrust through; all who are caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives violated.
See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not care for silver and have no delight in gold. Their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants, nor will they look with compassion on children. Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.
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Isaiah 13 begins a new prophecy against Babylon, the capital city of Babylonia. The prophecy continues well into chapter 14. Isaiah 13 announces the Day of the Lord, a day of wrath and great suffering. This divine visitation to Babylon is not unlike the day of wrath prophesied for Samaria or for Jerusalem. God uses Babylon to punish Jerusalem, and Assyria to punish Samaria. Now God is using the Medes to punish Babylon.
The prophecy begins with a rallying cry for the armies of the Medes to gather for war against Babylon. The prophet tells the people of Babylon to wail for the day of their judgment is coming. The overwhelming sight of thousands of warriors approaching will strike fear in the hearts of the Babylonians. The thunder of the army's approach to the city will cause the people to flee for their lives. They will be in utter horror.
Isaiah explains the purpose for this day of vengeance. It is to clear the land of sinners.
Isaiah 13:11 NIV
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 will humble the pride of the ruthless.
The language goes beyond Babylon. It's not just Babylon that will feel the shaking of this day. The whole world will experience the day of the Lord.The sky too will be affected by this visitation of the Almighty. The stars will not shine. The sun and moon will go dark. All creation will be in awe at the appearance of its creator, when He comes to settle accounts with Babylon.
It's easy to see how some would read this scripture as a description of the so called Judgment Day, when the whole earth will be judged for its sin. That's not what Isaiah had in mind. His literary tool is hyperbole. His imagery is over the top in order to seize the imagination of his listeners and readers. As he describes the fear the Babylonians will experience, I couldn't help think of 9/11 when the twin towers of the World Trade Center fell. People were running for their lives. The rest of us watched in shock and utter horror. Our world changed that day. 9/11 was cataclysmic! Everything is different now. The way I experience life in America is different in significant ways. Security is heightened. Our personal liberties are limited. Our government watches their own citizens as they keep vigil against another attack. The level of fear is our society can sometimes be felt in the air. Hopelessness drives desperate acts of violence. Children shoot their classmates and teachers. Disgruntled employees kill co-workers and employers. Yes, the world has changed for us. When we feel this loss and experience the tense paranoia that another attack is imminent, even the sky somehow looks different. We cannot enjoy the light of the sun or the shimmer of the moon and stars. Our very lives are threatened. The attacks in Paris remind us that we are not safe. Our enemies are gathering for war.
It's always good to connect to a passage of Scripture emotionally. I think it opens us up to God speaking to our hearts. The important thing is to remember that this oracle was delivered against the enemies of Israel, enemies who God used to punish them for their sins. The level at which this passage speaks to me personally, is to know that God will hold me accountable for my sins. He has done so in the cross of Christ. For on the cross He has poured out His wrath upon His own Son.
The good news is that God is just. God will vindicate those who have suffered under oppressors. The wicked will not go unpunished. God will cleanse the earth of all evil in the establishment of a new creation. That new creation began with the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Those who trust in Christ for salvation will share in this new creation through the Holy Spirit. His grace empowers us to live with love and holiness. Evil is vanquished in our hearts as God takes up more and more territory in our souls. Security is restored. Peace prevails within even as our dying world continues in its madness.
Some say all the signs point to the imminent Day of the Lord, the final judgement. Armageddon is at hand. I don't know that they are right. I can understand why they feel that way. I prefer to allow events to unfold as they will and not make predictions.
Isaiah teaches me that God uses military powers according to God's will. I trust in God to work out all things according to His good purposes.
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