Isaiah 21:1-17

Isaiah: God controls the nations

God controls the future

Isaiah Chapter s 21 to 30

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 21

Enemies destroy Babylon

v1 A special message about Babylon that God gave to Isaiah in a *vision. The message struck Isaiah like a storm of sand that a fierce wind blows from the Negeb. Terrible trouble is coming. v2 In the *vision Isaiah seemed to see a cruel sight. Those who attacked other people are now themselves suffering. And those who robbed other people are now themselves suffering. Now enemies are attacking and robbing them! Those who ruined other people are now themselves suffering. Now enemies are destroying and are ruining them! Army of Elam, attack the cities! Army of Media, surround the cities! The *Lord is ending all the miserable pain and death that the army of Babylon has caused. v3 I see in my mind what is happening. Fierce pains grip me like the pains of a woman who is having a baby. I feel awful. I do not want to listen! I do not want to look! v4 My mind is spinning. I am trembling greatly. I am desperate for the cool and calm evening to come. But when it does come, I continue to tremble.

v5 A splendid meal is ready. Carpets are on the floor. Happy people are eating and drinking. Suddenly there is a command, ‘Officers, get up at once! Prepare your arms!’

v6 Then the *Lord spoke to me. ‘Go! Order a *look-out to report what he sees. v7 The *look-out may see horsemen in pairs. Or he may see riders on horses or riders on camels. The *look-out must give very careful attention to what he sees.

v8 (The *look-out declares that he has been loyal. He has been on duty all day and all night.) v9 See, here come riders, horsemen in pairs! Here comes a man who is bringing an important message. He shouts the good news. “The city has fallen! It has fallen! It is the city called Babylon! All the images of Babylon’s gods lie in pieces on the ground!”

v10 People in Judah, you have suffered so much. But now I can declare good news to you. The *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies) alone is the all-powerful God of Israel.’