ISAIAH

Isaiah 21:1-10

quote:

"The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As windstorms in the Negev sweep on, It comes from the wilderness, from a terrifying land. 2 A harsh vision has been shown to me; The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, Elam, lay siege, Media; I have made an end of all the groaning she has caused. 3 For this reason my loins are full of anguish; Pains have seized me like the pains of a woman in labor. I am so bewildered I cannot hear, so terrified I cannot see. 4 My mind reels, horror overwhelms me; The twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling. 5 They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; "Rise up, captains, oil the shields," 6 For thus the Lord says to me, "Go, station the lookout, let him report what he sees. 7 "When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, A train of donkeys, a train of camels, Let him pay close attention, very close attention." 8 Then the lookout called, "O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, And I am stationed every night at my guard post. 9 "Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs." And one said, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground." 10 O my threshed people, and my afflicted of the threshing floor! What I have heard from the LORD of hosts, The God of Israel, I make known to you"

The reference to Babylon as the "desert of the sea" is an indication of destruction that would sweep through with the force of storms from the Negev (South). The storms refer to an army made up of Elamites and Medes, who have come from Persia to attack Babylonia.

There can be no doubt that his vision originated from God. The "treacherous one" and the "destroyer" describes the powerful and oppressive rule of the Babylonians. With Babylon's fall will come a rest to those who had been troubled by this great empire. Isaiah's emotional response helps us to comprehend the severity of what will take place. Isaiah is portrayed as a man of tender compassion. The news that such an event was to occur brought him great anguish, because he not only loved his own people, but felt deeply for his enemies.

Meanwhile, Babylon, being arrogant and care-free, was making preparations for a banquet. Isaiah refers to the custom in Babylon of laying out elaborate carpets for feasts and uses language similar to Psalm 23, "Thou preparest a table before me". Judgment was at their gates and they were totally unaware. In the midst of the banquet comes the cry of alarm – "Arise ... anoint the shield".

Instead of merely predicting the future course of events, Isaiah is told to station a watchman to report what he sees. In so doing, he is carrying out the assignment of being a prophet – "go" and "stand". Since Babylon would not fall for many years after Isaiah's day, it is clear that this is also part of the vision and the event would not be seen with physical eyes.

What the watchman will see is the enemy quietly advancing like a caravan crossing the desert. Once the watchman sees the approaching army, he is to announce what he sees. "Then the lookout called, 'O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, and I am stationed every night at my guard post." He is at constant watch, always on the alert. "Behold this, there is coming" are the introductory words to his important announcement.

Habakkuk spoke in a similar fashion of the ideal watchman – Habakkuk 2:1

"I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved."

The prophets were always represented as watchmen, watching constantly for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the people. They also watched to receive prophetic information from the Lord. When they were doubtful, they spent time in meditation and prayer, waiting upon God. The prophetic message of Isaiah could be one for today – those who live carelessly will find themselves unaware of the judgment about to overtake them. When, we pray, we must observe God's answer that He gives by His Word and His Spirit. There are times when we too, may be "threshed to grain", but we are still His. We are to be alert to the coming of the King when there will be judgment for those who do not know Him and victory and redemption for all of His people. Behold He comes!