Isaiah: Delivered!

Isaiah 13

Lori and I enjoy watching historical dramas based on real events. We recognize that these dramas often take liberties with characters and details, prompting us to research how accurately the show represents reality. Usually, we learn that the actual events are even more fascinating! Exploring history reminds us that humans frequently make a mess of things. Evidence of this can be seen every day in our newsfeeds. However, the question remains—does everything happen solely due to human will and circumstances? 

That’s what British historian Edward Gibbon thought. He said that history was “little more than the register of crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.” However, the American missionary Arthur T. Pierson had a different take. He said that “history is His story.”^[1] Do you agree with Gibbon or Pierson?

Our studies of Genesis, Job, and Isaiah have taught us that God controls everything. Just as he oversees events and circumstances in our lives to write his story in us, he directs leaders and nations to write his story through time and eternity. A. W. Tozer reminds us that this sovereignty is comprehensive. Tozer states that if God lacked one tiny iota of power, “that one stray atom of power would belong to someone else, and God would be a limited ruler and hence not sovereign.”[2] God is in control of it all!

God’s sovereignty is crucial to reiterate as we embark on a new section (Isaiah 13-23), where the prophet describes the impending devastation of nine Gentile nations surrounding Israel and Judah. The words are not aimed at the Gentile nations but at God’s people, confirming that he is on their side. It is vital to recognize two things about these prophecies: they address nations and cities that existed in history, and these places that thrived during the days of Isaiah represent cultures and nations that have persisted throughout history up to the present day. Thus, they are both real and representative. 

We begin with God’s “oracle concerning Babylon.” The word “oracle” means “to carry, to lift.” It refers to something that is a burden. Isaiah uses this word throughout the section to let us know that these are heavy messages to deliver (Isa. 13:1; 14:28; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; 21:1, 11, 13; 22:1; 23:1). This first oracle concerns a nation of people that contrasts with God's people, as Babylon symbolizes a world system that opposes God.

In the first verses of Isaiah 13, we see that God is preparing his army.

When the Lord of Heaven’s Armies shows up for judgment, Isaiah 13:7-8 describes the terror: “Every human heart will melt.” People will experience agonies “like a woman in labor.” “They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame.” The “day of the Lord” will be a day when sinners are destroyed (Isa. 13:9).

Here’s what the world will experience when the day of the Lord comes.

Isaiah 13:13, 15-16
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished. 

God will use other nations (here he mentions the Medes) to take down those who oppose him. He says, “Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children” (Isa. 13:17-18). At one time, Babylon was a splendid kingdom in man's eyes. But God will overthrow them as he did Sodom and Gomorrah (Isa. 13:19). When Isaiah wrote this, the time of Babylon’s destruction was “close at hand” (Isa. 13:22).

Isaiah has told us that this is heavy reading. Remember, nothing is happening to Babylon that they hadn’t already done to God’s people and other nations. They would experience the cruelty and brutality they had inflicted in their conquests.

Commentators differ on the timing of Babylon’s destruction described in this passage. Some believe the judgment here refers to 689 BC, when Assyria’s king, Sennacherib, conquered the city of Babylon, the greatest city of its day. This demonstrated the power of the Assyrians. Others believe this passage refers to 539 BC, when the Babylonian Empire fell to the Medo-Persian Empire.[3] We are not sure. However, we do know that the prophecy came true. Babylon is no more.

As we proceed through this section, we will keep reminding ourselves that these words point us to the last days when Jesus said that except for his people, there would be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12; et. al.).

Today, Isaiah 13:13 is our Anchor Point. 

Isaiah 13:13
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. 

Thank God that, because of Jesus, we will not experience his coming wrath. We are protected by his grace now and forever. We “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).

That truth should encourage our hearts and minds. God’s grace is abundant and free. We have Jesus as our deliverer!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on the coming Kingdom in Isaiah 13. Focus on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 13:13 and 1 Thess. 1:10.

Talking to God: Thank God for Jesus! Because Jesus took God’s wrath for us, as his sons and daughters, we will never have to experience it.

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Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow our Savior.