Study
9 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 13:1 – 14:23
Here
we leave the Book of Imannuel, and enter what has been called the
'Jungle of prophecy' (chapters 13-25). It contains the 'burdens of
the Lord's, oracle concerning foreign nations, many parts of which
are now obscure. The first oracle concerns Babylon, and is directed
first against the city (13:1-14:2). and second, against the king
(14:3 – 23). Its predictions have been literally fulfilled.
- For what sins was Babylon condemned by God (14:5, 6, 12-14)? How did God administer judgment?
- In what respects may Babylon be regarded as a picture of the world in opposition to God (as Jerusalem or Zion is a picture of God's people), and the king of Babylon a picture of Satan, the prince of this world? Cf. Gn. 11:1-9; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 18:2, 3.
Notes
- 13:2-6. 'The day of the Lord' is the day of His manifestation and here denotes the day of His vengeance upon Babylon.
- 13:12. The population will be so reduced, that men will be scarcer than gold.
- 14:9-17. The departed spirits in Sheol assemble, surprised and scornful, to greet the arrival of the king whose pomp is now stripped from him.
