Isaiah 13-17

 Isaiah 13 – 17

We enter the section of Isaiah that is most applicable, in concentration, to nations

other than Israel, a theocracy. There is much debate in our time about application

of prophecy to the United States; most of that is applicable to the church not the

United States. What we can say, with confidence, is that through the next 11

chapters God, using Isaiah, makes it clear that He is “Judge of all the earth” – Gen.

18:25. The Lord is sovereign over all, no matter the nation or its people.

“The nations section reveals the folly of all political scheming when it takes place

independently of trust in the one God of all nations.” (Seitz, 170)

Chapter 13

Babylon

V1

I. Babylon, that empire that made Jerusalem a desolation in 587 BC.

“burden” or “oracle” or “prophecy” massa. This was informing the

Israelites of the doom of the nations surrounding them and it was in Him

they should trust.

V2-5

I. V2 – “banner” or “standard” – a call to march. Notice the three

imperatives: lift up, raise, wave – this was a summons to the nations.

II. V3 – Babylon will be used by the Lord to punish His people. They are not

the Israelites, but they are still His (He is Lord overall).

III. V4,5 – The people may gather, but it is God who calls. He will use them

to accomplish His works. “The Lord of Hosts” is used nineteen times in

chapters 13-23. “The Lord God of hosts” appears five times. Remember

from our earlier lessons, this is warfare terminology. “How foolish to put

one’s trust in a host rather than in the Lord of Hosts” (Oswalt, 1:303)

V6 – 16

I. In these verses we see both prophetic and apocalyptic styles. Prophecy

is used as a call for repentance, apocalyptic is used to show that

deliverance is only possible through God.

II. V6 – In a time of God’s choosing these things will occur. “destruction”

and “Almighty” are from the same root shadad.

III. V7,8 – Both from the outside and the inside, there will be utter dismay.

IV. V9-13 – God’s judgement is universal here. The apocalyptic style is

reminiscent of Ezekiel and Revelation, even Jesus in Matt: 24:29; Mk.

13:24-25; Lk. 21:25-26. This is the result of a world full of wickedness.

God does not tolerate the practice of sin.

V. V14-15 – There is no escape from the wrath of God.

VI. V16 – We see the horror that sin brings about, the inhumanity of it all. “

The Creator has so constituted humankind that sin progressively makes

people less human and, therefore, less humane.” (Motyer, 139).

V17-22

I. V17 – The Medes were a people that lived in what is now central Iran

and were allies with Babylon for the destruction of Assyria in 612 BC. In

irony, it is the Mede-Persian Empire that brings Babylon to its knees

around 539 BC.

II. V18 – The first occurrence of “pity” or “compassion” racham in Isaiah.

Isaiah states it in the negative sense – without.

III. V19-22 – Sodom had become metaphors for wickedness and

destruction. Babylon has never been inhabited. Today, its only

population is animals. The Babylonian gardens were once known as one

of the ancient wonders of the world. The magnificence of Babylon was

lost to man until the German Oriental Society carried out exploration

and excavation of the site in 1899.

Questions:

1. Who is Isaiah speaking of at the beginning of the chapter?

2. What styles of writing to we see in this chapter?

3. Will this nation prosper?

Chapter 14

Babylon continued

V1-2

I. V1 – There would be no compassion without God, and God will show it.

Ps. 103:13. “Still choose”. They are still God’s people and God will

provide. God will cause to rest. Duet. 7:6-8 This is a foretaste of chapters

40 – 66.

II. V2 – Since Israel will no longer be lord over any other people, this

passage may be seen as a messianic statement. Those Jews who would

obey Christ in the future will conquer “foreigners by the Spirit of God

through truth, the Gospel.” (Hailey, 137) 2 Cor. 10:5.

V3 – 12

I. V3-4a – “proverb” or “parable” are the best words here; the NASB has

taunt. The king of Babylon will be exposed.

II. V4b-6 – A poem. The relentlessness and cruelty of the Assyrian and

Babylonian empires are well documented in their own historical

documents and the artifacts saved in various museums.

III. V7-8 – The promise of rest brings laudable joy. This concept is only in

Isaiah. Even the trees rejoice!

IV. V9 – “Sheol”, the NKJV has “Hell”, Sheol here is the better word. In the

place where the dead rest there will be recognition and continuity and

yes even this place is excited about the king coming to his demise.

V. V10-12 – The reversal of fortunes for the once mighty king. Instead of

pomp and circumstance there are maggots and worms. The NKJV uses

“Lucifer” in verse 12 and it is an unfortunate translation “star of the

morning and son of the morning” are better translations. Young has a

very good break down of the translation in Volume 1 page 440-441 of

his commentary.

V13 – 23

I. V13-19 - The king(s) had tried to make themselves like the Most High.

Dan. 2 – 5 provide a good background to these verses. We remember

that the kings of Babylon tended to attribute prerogatives of God to

themselves. As a result, even his own people would look on in

amazement at the fall and the reversal of fortune. The corpse would not

even be buried properly. A king is always buried properly.

II. V20-23 – Arrogance, pride, iniquity has caused you to ruin your land.

“Sweep” is used to depict total destruction.

Scholars go back and forth if chapter 13 through chapter 14:23 is literal or

symbolic Babylon. I think it can be both. Literal, as we have seen, will work as

Babylon is destroyed and basically annihilated in due time. Symbolically, it

would stand to be a warning to any nation that goes against God.

Questions:

4. Will we see this nation again later?

5. Literally or symbolically, what is the future of any nation that does not

submit to God?

Assyria

V24-27

I. God’s purposes are always accomplished. Isaiah lived to see the fall of

the Assyrians. The Lord defeated Sennacherib: Is. 37:36-37; 2 Kings

19:32-36; 2 Chron. 32:21a, 22. What God has proposed, no one can

dispose.

Philistia

V28-32

I. The people of God have been warring with Philistine for generations.

They were in that area since the days of Abraham (Gen 21: 32,34), Isaac

(Gen. 26), and Moses (Ex. 13:17). David finally subdued them (2 Sam.

5:25), but with a weakened state in Judah and Israel, they kept coming

back and kept tormenting. Ahaz dies in 715 BC. The only source of

security was/is the Lord and Philistine would not benefit. As the

Assyrian army marched, they broke the gates and burnt the towns.

Stability and certainty only come from the Lord, no matter what nation

you are.

Questions:

6. When God has proposed something, can man dispose of it?

Chapter 15

Moab

Moab was a small kingdom immediately east of the Dead Sea. Moab was a son of

Lot and became the father of the Moabites (Gen 19:36-37). If we recall, Balak,

king of Moab hired Balaam to curse the Israelites (Num. 22). Moses died on

Mount Nebo, just inside the northern border of Moab. Ruth was a Moabite and

was in the lineage of David (Ruth 1:1; Matt. 1:5). Saul and David fought against

the Moabites (1 Sam. 14:47; 2 Sam. 8:2). There is more history than this recorded

for us in 2 Kings, including prophesied judgment in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and

Zephaniah.

V1

I. “Destroyed”, “devastation”, “laid waste”, “ruined” – all prophetic

perfects: written in the past tense to express the certainty of the event.

Its as if it had already happened.

V2 – 5

I. Eight cities mentioned in the first four verses show the devastation of

the entire territory. Deep and bitter distress would consume the

Moabite people. All this, and God still cries out for his people he created.

The heart of God is touched even though he must punish those who

practice sin and refuse to repent.

V6 – 9

I. Crops wiped out, produce carried off and there would be so much blood

shed that streams would be red from blood. Assyria will be God’s

instrument.

Chapter 16

Moab continued

V1 – 5

I. V1 – Moab would seek safety in Judah (send the lamb). They needed to

seek the Lord.

II. V2 – Arnon, the principal stream in Moab. It was the major supply of

water in the area (Shackleford, 198).

III. V3-4a – “take courage” or “advice” and “execute judgement” or “ make

a decision” show the immediacy of the circumstances. Verse 3b and c

also have Hebrew imperatives – they need an answer and in that answer

protection.

IV. V4b – Extortioner and oppressor are synonyms, mets and ramas,

“squeezing, pressing, trample” all go together.

V. V5 – The offering of refuge to former enemies becomes context for

messianic hope. Hailey insisted “that verse 5 must be seen as messianic”

(149). Once we were enemies of God but through Christ we came to

God. “Sit on it in truth” “in the tabernacle of David” – The Messiah.

“Mercy”, “Judgement”, “seeking justice”, and “hastening righteousness”

all look to the King of Kings. Moab, a gentile nation, was being invited to

share in the messianic redemption.

V6 – 12

I. V6 - But instead, Moab chooses pride, arrogance, haughtiness, wrath,

and lies. Moab had an opportunity, and they chose poorly.

II. V7-12 – Three “therefore” sections: the consequence of Moab’s refusing

security in Zion (wailing, mourning, stricken, languish, etc); then the

Lord’s reactions (bewail, heart shall resound)

V13 – 14

I. Moab’s destruction would be soon, three years. Assyria would come.

Zeph. 2:9

In 16:5 we see what might have been.

Questions:

7. Who were the Moabites?

8. Did they have an opportunity to repent?

Chapter 17

Syria (Damascus)

Damascus is said the be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

Abraham pursued hostile forces beyond it (Gen 14:15). Eliezer, his trusted

servant, was from it (Gen. 15:2). It is located 135 miles northeast of Jerusalem. It

has two river steams (2 Kings 5:12). It is the only natural land route between

Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was and is important economically and militarily.

David conquered them (2 Sam. 8:5-6).

V1 – 3

I. Damascus and Israel (Ephraim) entered an alliance to oppose Assyria,

without regard to the Lord, and would suffer the same fate: destruction.

No matter the fortifications, there is no stopping the Lord.

V4 – 11

I. V4 - “In that day” occurs three times in this chapter. There will be an end

to all those who trust in their own power. Man’s glory will fade (wane).

II. V5 – As a reaper or harvester, the destruction will come. Rephaim is

between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It was noted for its cereal

production.

III. V6 – The destruction will not be total. “Gleanings” will be left. A

remnant would be spared.

IV. V7 – Man will have respect (regard, trust) for his Maker. God made man.

He also made His people. He made Israel and He made the church,

V. V8-9 – The things mentioned were Canaanite in origin. Those that trust

in man made things will soon understand that God is the only being that

must be worshipped. God is the only being that must be revered. What

was man made will be useless.

VI. V10-11 – “You have forgotten the God of your salvation”. Duet. 8:11.

The children of Israel and anyone who met the Word should not have

forgotten the Lord. The Israelites were to keep the blessings and the

Word of the Lord on their tongues; always teaching and always

proclaiming.

VII. “Rock” – Duet. 32:3-4. Ps. 18:2; 19:14; 62:2. Paul applied this metaphor

to Christ: 1 Cor. 10:4. Any attempt to provoke a divine response through

human initiative would be futile. It is God’s way or no way.

V12- 14

I. All effort, outside of God, will result to nothing in the end. Clarification:

all national efforts making noise will result to nothing if that nation does

not submit to God. The Assyrians caused terror in the evening, but were

decimated by the morning (2 Kings 19: 32-37; 2 Chron. 32: 21a-22).

Questions:

9. What city was the capitol of Syria?

10. Did God punish them? Why?

11.Will any nation, in any time period, ever prosper, if not for God?

Material not used before:

Christopher R. Seitz, Isaiah 1 -39, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching