Isaiah: Watchmen on the Wall

Isaiah 21

Theologian Karl Barth once said that you should read with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Today, he would say the Bible in one hand and a smartphone in the other, or you should flip back and forth between Bible apps and news feed apps. Barth was trying to make the point that the Bible is culturally relevant. 

Prophecy teaches us that the Bible is not only culturally relevant but also historically significant. The events or circumstances that the prophets warn about come to pass. What they predicted would happen indeed happened. The country they indicated would be overthrown was overthrown. Isaiah warned Judah to turn from their sins and not to put their trust in other nations, regardless of how strong those nations might seem. The Assyrians defeated the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC and were advancing against the southern kingdom of Judah. Instead of relying solely on God, Judah sought to form alliances with powerful countries. In this section of Isaiah (Isa. 13-23), God warns Judah of the futility of such partnerships. 

Isaiah has already addressed the demise of Babylon (Isa. 13), but he has more to say about Babylon in Isaiah 21. Babylon is called the “wilderness of the sea” (Isa. 21:1), indicating its location by the Persian Gulf. God gives Isaiah a “stern vision” that Babylon will be destroyed (Isa. 21:2). Isaiah is to serve as a “watchman” and is horrified by what he witnesses (Isa. 21:3-7). Standing on the watchtower, he observes the enemy advancing. 

Isaiah 21:9b-10
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.” O my threshed and winnowed one, what I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I announce to you. 

While there is considerable discussion about when this prophecy occurred, Bible scholar John Martin believes Isaiah describes a time in 722 BC when the Chaldean prince, Marduk-apal-iddina (called Merodach-Baladin in Isa. 39:1), revolted against the Assyrian Empire and captured Babylon. Elam, a country northeast of Babylon, supported the uprising. It took twelve years for the Assyrian king, Sargon, to drive Marduk-apal-iddina out of Babylon. After Sargon died (705 BC), Marduk was at it again. He fought against Sennacherib but was ultimately defeated (702 BC). Many rulers, including Judah’s King Hezekiah, believed Marduk would undermine the strength of the Assyrian Empire. However, Isaiah warned them that this was not to be.^[1]

The next country Isaiah addresses is Edom (referred to here as Dumah, a wordplay on the name Edom). Edom, like all the other countries in the region, remained vulnerable to Assyria. Even when it seems the tide may be turning regarding Assyria’s brutal reign, circumstances quickly shift: “Morning comes, and also the night” (Isa. 21:12). 

Isaiah 21 ends with a section on Arabia (Isa. 21:13-17). The Dedanites were a tribe in southern Arabia. Temu, mentioned in Job, is an oasis in northwestern Arabia, and Kedar was in northern Arabia. Within a year, the “glory of Kedar” would come to an end. These cities would lose most of their men in battle.

Our Anchor Point for this passage will be verse 6.

Isaiah 21:6
For thus the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees.” 

God told Isaiah to inform the people of what was coming. Later in Isaiah, God says, “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent” (Isa. 62:6).

I believe parents and grandparents need to be watchmen on the walls. We must be alert, day and night, to see who is approaching to attack. We should be like the men of Issachar, “who had understanding of the times” (1 Chron. 12:32), and resemble those in Berea “examining the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). We should have our Bibles in one hand and our news feeds in the other. We must be students of the Word, then students of our children, and finally students of our culture.

Let me take this opportunity to remind you that the Living Grounded ministry has resources to help you develop as a “watchman on the wall.” In addition to this daily teaching, we host a weekly podcast where believers share what a Christian life looks like in practice. Many episodes explore parenting topics, featuring experts who provide practical tools and strategies for navigating the culture and discussions on marriage and everyday living. We also offer a discipleship curriculum to assist you in becoming grounded in your walk with Jesus. 

So check out The Living Grounded Podcast and visit Amazon for the Living Grounded discipleship material. Let us help you become a watchman on the wall.

God is looking for watchmen on the walls. Let’s answer the call.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on God’s warning to Egypt in Isaiah 21. Focus on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 21:6.

Talking to God: Are you a watchman on the wall for your family? 

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