 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Isaiah commentaries
Isaiah 44:1-8
God’s Forming of Israel
Isaiah 44:9-20
Idolatry is Foolishness
Isaiah 44:21-28
Prediction of Cyrus
Isaiah 45:1-13
Vindication of the Lord
Isaiah 45:14-25
The Lord Alone Can Save
Isaiah 46:1-13
Sovereign Control of God
Isaiah 47:1-15
The Humiliation of Babylon
Isaiah 48:1-11
The Lord Corrects His People
Isaiah 48:12-22
It is Best to Obey The Lord
Isaiah 49:1-13
Bringing Light to The Gentiles
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
The Humiliation of Babylon
Isaiah 47:1–15
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
John Howard Griffin was a white man who believed he could never understand the plight of African-Americans unless he became like one. In 1959, he darkened his skin with medication, sun lamps, and stains, then traveled throughout the South. His book, “Black Like Me,&quo … More
Isaiah describes Babylon’s fall to the Persians more than 150 years before the event took place. The prophet sees a time when the imposing conqueror, Babylon, shall be defeated and he pictures her as one who can do no more than sit in the dust (v. 1) This is an interesting statement as ancient Babylon, in spite of all its splendor, was in reality a kingdom built upon the dust of the desert of Shinar. Cast down from her imperial tower, she is reduced to the disgraceful status of a half-naked slave girl grinding meal with millstones (vv. 2-3). The day came when Israel realized that release from exile would come from God and not themselves (vv. 4-5). God used Babylon to punish His sinful people; He would use Medo-Persia to destroy Babylon and free His people.
Isaiah, speaking for God, further explains that he has only allowed Babylon to come to power and conquer Judah because He is angry at the sin of His people (v. 6). The unrepentant attitude of Babylon is that she will be in power forever (v. 7). She had not even considered the possibility that she would not be in a position of power forever. She thought that she could never be defeated (v. 8). Caught up in the pursuit of power and pleasure, Babylon believed in her own greatness and claimed to be the only power on earth. Though Babylon thought she was unique, she was wrong; God is the one who is unique, as Isaiah had stated repeatedly (vv. 9-12). The people of Babylon sought advice and help from astrologers and stargazers (v. 13). Astrology as common in Babylon (Dan 2:2) but their work was worthless (vv. 14-15). They could not deliver themselves from the hand of God.Application
We need to ask ourselves, “Why do we rely on those who are powerless?” The helpless cannot help us. If I want help, I will find it in God who alone has power over the trials and circumstances of life.
Isaiah 47:1-15 (English Standard Version)
Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. Our Redeemer--the LORD of hosts is his name-- is the Holy One of Israel. Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. I was angry with my people; I profaned my heritage; I gave them into your hand; you showed them no mercy; on the aged you made your yoke exceedingly heavy. You said, "I shall be mistress forever," so that you did not lay these things to heart or remember their end. Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children": These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, "No one sees me"; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing. Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.