Isaiah 13:1-22

Isaiah: God controls the nations

God’s plans for Judah, Assyria and Egypt

Isaiah Chapter s 10 to 20

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 13

The next major division of the Book of Isaiah is Chapter s 13 to 23. These 11 Chapter s are about the history of foreign countries that affect Judah in some way. Isaiah does not aim to give a complete history of these other countries. Instead, Isaiah explains how God controls the actions of these other nations. Isaiah’s intention is to show God’s constant care for his people.

God will punish Babylon

v1 *Woe to Babylon! God gave this special message to Isaiah son of Amoz. v2 From the top of a hill raise a flag as a signal. Shout aloud your orders! Raise your hand to order the attack! The soldiers are to break through the gates of Babylon’s proud rulers. v3 The *Lord has given orders to his very best soldiers. His proud heroes are to show how very angry he is.

v4 Listen to the noise on the mountains! Hear the sound of a vast crowd of people! Many nations are joining forces. The *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies) is bringing together his soldiers for battle. v5 Soldiers are coming from distant nations. The *Lord is so angry that he will ruin the whole country. v6 Cry and weep! The day is coming when the All-Powerful *Lord will make the whole land a bare (empty) desert. v7 Terror will fill everyone. Courage will vanish. v8 All the people will tremble with pain, like a mother when her child is being born. People will stare at each other with terror on their faces.