_GOD MUSTERETH THE ARMIES OF HIS WRATH: HE THREATENETH TO DESTROY BABYLON BY THE MEDES. THE DESOLATION OF BABYLON._ _Before Christ 713._ The SECOND part of the prophesies of Isaiah, containing a wonderful account of God's dealings with the enemies of his church and people, begins at this chapter,... [ Continue Reading ]
_ISAIAH 13:1_.— This prophesy respecting Babylon may be divided into two parts; the former part contained in the present chapter: wherein we have, _first,_ the title, Isaiah 13:1.; _secondly,_ the matter comprehended in this first part, which describes figuratively and strongly the calamity of Babyl... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT YE UP A BANNER— In this beginning of the discourse we have, _first,_ a figurative declaration of the causes, principal as well as instrumental, of the judgment to be brought upon Babylon; wherein God is introduced as a supreme general, delivering his commands to his ministers to collect a stron... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NOISE OF A MULTITUDE, &C.— The prophet here relates three things, the sudden effects of the divine command; _first,_ the collection and congregation which God had destined to execute his judgments. _There is a noise of tumult in the mountains; the appearance of much people; the voice of the tumu... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWL YE, &C.— We have here, in this latter member of the first part of the discourse, a premonition to the Babylonians concerning their approaching calamity; Isaiah 13:6. _Secondly,_ the effects of the expedition of their enemies against them are set forth; the stupor, _consternation,_ and despair o... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, &C.— What other effect could the premonition concerning the approach of such formidable enemies produce, than consternation and dismay? So the prophet informs us, eloquently describing in this period the consternation of the Babylonians upon the report of the expedition undertaken against... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE DAY OF THE LORD COMETH, &C.— The prophet begins here to describe the calamity itself coming upon the Babylonians, but in figures, according to his manner, grand, and adapted to raise a terrible image of that calamity. We have the proposition in the ninth verse, and the enarration of it i... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I WILL SHAKE THE HEAVENS— Every one who reads and compares these words with those preceding, must observe, that they contain an explanation of what the prophet had said concerning the mighty storm to be raised against the Babylonians; so that here the same subject is continued and amplifie... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I WILL STIR UP THE MEDES— Here follows the second part of this prophesy; in which, what the prophet had foretold principally in figure, is here plainly related; and is easily divided, as it contains the antecedent and consequent, the cause and effect. The antecedent, or efficient causes of t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BABYLON, THE GLORY— The prophet in this eloquent passage describes to us the consequence of the fury of the enemy raised up by God against Babylon; namely, the devastation and desolation of Babylon; and that extreme and everlasting; so as to exclude all hope of the restoration of this once magni... [ Continue Reading ]