By 900 *BC, Babylon was already famous among the nations as a most beautiful city. This was well before Nebuchadnezzar developed the city still more, 300 years later (see Daniel 4:29-30). • The city’s unusual beauty was the reason why people thought of Babylon as a ‘beautiful young woman’. So in th... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH: GOD CONTROLS THE NATIONS GOD PROMISES COMFORT TO HIS PEOPLE ISAIAH CHAPTER S 40 TO 48 _NORMAN HILLYER_ CHAPTER 47 This short chapter is severe in the manner that it warns the proud *Babylonians. Isaiah probably does not expect that the inhabitants of Babylon will actually hear this li... [ Continue Reading ]
The inhabitants of Babylon had been very cruel to their slaves. But now the inhabitants of Babylon will themselves become slaves. And they will suffer the same shame that they caused for their former slaves.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Book of Isaiah emphasises the *Lord’s special name, ‘Commander of Heaven’s Forces’, over 60 times (see my note on Isaiah 44:6). This verse is the reply of the people from Israel. They are glad because God will rescue them from Babylon. BABYLON IS GUILTY V5 The *Lord says to Babylon: ‘Sit in... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Sit in silence’ means that the *Babylonians can never again give orders to other people. ‘Prison’ signals that the *Babylonians will also lose their liberty. • The *Babylonian *empire was a collection of states that the *Babylonians had taken by force over many years. • ‘*Mistress’ usually means... [ Continue Reading ]
God used Babylon to punish his special people. But Babylon’s actions were much worse than God intended. So now God will punish Babylon for its great cruelty. BABYLON’S SUDDEN DEFEAT V8 ‘So now, listen to me. You love your life of luxury and pleasure. You think to yourself that all is well. You fe... [ Continue Reading ]
The people in Babylon were living well. They had no thought that anything could change. And they had no thought for anyone else.... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses continue to refer to Babylon as a woman.... [ Continue Reading ]
The loss of children probably refers to their death in battle. Or that they would become prisoners in a foreign country. • A widow had to depend upon her children for financial help. There were no state funds. To lose her children too would cause hopeless despair for her. • The loss of the young s... [ Continue Reading ]
In the Bible, ‘fool’ often means someone who has no thought about God (see Psalms 14:1 and Luke 12:13-21). NO HELP FOR BABYLON V12 ‘Of course, you may decide to carry on with your black (wicked) magic. You may continue to use evil practices. You have depended on them all your life. You may even h... [ Continue Reading ]
All through the ages, people have believed in *astrology. Even modern newspapers and magazines regularly include ‘What the stars tell us’. But the press often confuses readers. Different papers do not agree on ‘what the stars tell us’! • God forbids the practice of *astrology (see Deuteronomy 4:19... [ Continue Reading ]
Straw burns fiercely for a very short time. Such a fire is not useful; it has no good purpose. BABYLONIAN ~ a person from the country called Babylon; or anything that has a relationship with the country called Babylon.'HUMAN, HUMAN BEING ~ a person. LORD ~ God’s personal name in the Bible. In the or... [ Continue Reading ]