The Fall of Babylon
Study note
Babylon is called 'the desert by the sea,' likely because the flat land of southern Mesopotamia could look like a sea of sand or because of the marshlands around it. Isaiah sees a terrifying vision of Babylon's fall. The nations of Elam and Media are called to attack. Isaiah is so shaken by this vision that he is in physical pain, like a woman in labor. The scene shifts to a watchman on the walls who reports what he sees: chariots and horsemen approaching. Finally the announcement comes: 'Babylon has fallen! Babylon has fallen!' All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground. Isaiah tells his people this painful message with deep emotion.
1 This is a message about the desert by the sea. Like whirlwinds tearing through the southern desert, an invader sweeps in from the wilderness, from a land of terror. The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.
2 A dreadful vision was shown to me. The traitor betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go, Elam! Attack, Media! I will put an end to all the suffering Babylon has caused. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.
3 Because of what I saw, my whole body is racked with pain. I am gripped by agony like a woman giving birth. I am so stunned I cannot hear. I am so terrified I cannot see straight. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.
4 My heart is racing. Fear has completely overwhelmed me. The evening I was looking forward to has become a night of horror. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
5 They set out the tables and spread the carpets. They eat and drink. Then suddenly: "Officers, get up! Oil your shields! Battle is here!" Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
6 The Lord told me, "Go and station a lookout on the wall. Let him report whatever he sees." For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
7 When he sees chariots pulled by pairs of horses, riders on donkeys, and riders on camels, he must watch very closely. He must pay very careful attention. And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
8 Then the lookout shouted: "My lord, I have been standing on this watchtower day after day. I have stayed at my post through every long night." And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:
9 "Look! Here comes a man in a chariot pulled by a team of horses!" He calls out the news: "Babylon has fallen! It has fallen! Every idol of every god has been smashed to the ground!" And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
10 My people, you have been crushed like grain on the threshing floor. I am passing along to you what the Lord who commands heaven's armies, the God of Israel, has told me. O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.
The Oracle Against Edom
Study note
Edom, located south and east of the Dead Sea, is called 'Dumah,' which means 'silence' and may be a wordplay on 'Edom.' Someone calls out from the Edomite region of Seir, asking the watchman what time of night it is. The answer is mysterious: morning is coming, but so is night. If they want to ask again, they should come back. This short oracle suggests that Edom's future holds both hope and darkness, and the situation remains uncertain.
11 This is a message about Dumah. Someone calls to me from the land of Seir: "Watchman, how much longer until morning? Watchman, how much of the night is left?" The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
12 The watchman answers, "Morning is coming, but night is coming again too. If you want to keep asking, come back later." The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.
The Oracle Against Arabia
Study note
The Arabian traders of Dedanim are forced to camp in the brush instead of along their usual trade routes. The people of Tema bring water and bread to refugees fleeing from battle. Within one year, exactly as a hired worker counts time, all the glory of the powerful Arabian tribe of Kedar will be gone. Their famous archers will be reduced to a small number. The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken it, and it will happen.
13 This is a message about Arabia. You traveling merchants of Dedan, you will have to make camp in the brush of the Arabian wilderness. The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
14 Bring water to the thirsty! People of Tema, carry food out to meet the refugees who are running. The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
15 They are fleeing from swords already drawn, from bows already bent, and from the crushing weight of war. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16 The Lord told me this. "In just one year, all of Kedar's glory will be gone. Count it like a worker counts contract days." For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
17 Only a handful of Kedar's skilled archers and warriors will survive. The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken. And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.