Tag: Isaiah 13

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 16  Read: Isaiah 13 Listen: (3:11) Read: Acts 2 Listen: (6:35)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 13.1, 10-13

Reflection: A Little Babylon In Every Empire

By John Tillman

When Isaiah saw his vision of judgment against Babylon, it was not yet a mighty empire of evil. At that time, Babylon was an upstart city-state under Assyrian oppression, just like other nations. Isaiah’s prophecy against Babylon would be as if someone in France in the early 1700s wrote a prophecy against the imperialism of the United States, before the colonies had rebelled or even declared independence from the British Empire.

Eventually, Babylon rebelled against, and overthrew, Assyria. But the victors were not freedom fighters or liberators. They were just a new oppressive and brutal empire.

When Allied forces swept through Europe following the D-Day invasion, the Nazi empire was destroyed, but America and Britain didn’t enslave and oppress France or the other conquered countries. They set them free. The Soviets, however, harshly ruled Eastern Europe through puppet governments for decades. (Russia today seems to want to reestablish this control, beginning in Ukraine.) 

It’s easy to notice “Babylon-like” behavior in enemies. It’s uncomfortable to think about ourselves as Babylon. Americans, especially, like to pat ourselves on the back. “We liberated Europe! We won the Cold War! We are the good guys!” I feel that way. Yet, the Bible continually warns about Babylon. Why? Doesn’t God know where I live? Doesn’t he know my country is the greatest country of all time? Hmm…sounds a bit “Babylon-ish” when I put it that way, doesn’t it?

Peter sent greetings from the church, describing that church as “in Babylon” (1 Peter 5:8) even though Babylon fell centuries before. When we imagine Babylon as a specific nation at a specific time, we miss the point. When we imagine Babylon as a symbol for our enemies, we are in danger of blindness.

The Bible repeatedly cautions God’s people that there’s a little Babylon in every empire. Yes, even the one you live in. This is because there is a little Babylon in every heart, even yours and mine. And that bit of Babylon has imperialist intentions. It wants to grow. To conquer.

We live in Babylon and Babylon will be judged. That will be painful for many (Rev 18.9-10). Our connection to, or complicity with, Babylon will affect how that judgment touches us. Read the judgments against Babylon, remembering that Babylon wants you. It wants to influence you, recruit you, or conquer you.

Resist Babylon, starting in your own heart. Don’t be conquered or complicit. Be faithful.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. — Psalm 92.12

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: The Fall of a Superpower

When we read the oracles against other nations, it is easy to distance ourselves from them.

The Fall of a Superpower

Read more: Falling In Love With Babylon

Not everything in Babylon is bad…there is good to be seen and heard…But there is great evil there that overwhelms and stains every good.

Falling In Love With Babylon

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 13.6-8
6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;
    it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
7 Because of this, all hands will go limp,
    every heart will melt with fear.
8 Terror will seize them,
    pain and anguish will grip them;
    they will writhe like a woman in labor.
They will look aghast at each other,
    their faces aflame.

Reflection: The Fall of a Superpower
By Erin Newton

Babylon is one of those places you read about all the time in the Old Testament. It served as the locus for much of the ancient Mesopotamian world during the first and second millennia BCE. Because this important city was part of the empires which dominated Israel, “Babylon” was often used as a token word for all enemies of God.

Isaiah 13 opens a series of “Oracles against the Nations” which describe the coming judgment on the superpowers of the ancient world. Unsurprisingly, Babylon is listed first as it was the dominating nation during Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.

The imagery provides a vision of God’s coming judgment as an army marching upon the enemy. The language speaks more of the emotional response than the specific tactics. Babylon will be gripped with fear and terror. Pain and anguish will come upon this powerful nation. Babylon will be like a woman in labor. She will be unable to flee, caught between painful contractions and escalating agony. The people will look at one another perhaps as a plea for help, only to be met with the same look of fear in their neighbor’s face.

When we read the oracles against other nations, it is easy to distance ourselves from them. We are often tempted to identify with God’s chosen people, the favored character of the story. At times, this is beneficial. It can be a source of hope when the powers in our lives seek to destroy us.  

There is also the need to read these oracles and understand why Babylon was listed as an enemy. Babylon embraced idolatry and morality that was contrary to the law of God. While we often avoid reading ourselves into these texts, it’s important to realize we share in the same sinful nature and are at risk of adopting the practices of the world.  

Thankfully, we are reconciled to God through Christ and need not fear being the enemy of God. We know that we are secure from his wrath because Jesus has endured our judgment. These prophetic passages are a means of examining our lives, ensuring we do not follow the way of Babylon.

It also heralds the supremacy and sovereignty of God throughout the whole world. We are confident that God will judge the powers that seek to destroy our lives. “No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand.”

Music: “In Christ Alone” by Stuart Townend.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame. — Psalm 25.1-2

Today’s Readings
Isaiah 13 (Listen -3:11)
Matthew 25 (Listen -10:01)

Read more about How to Read Prophetic Judgment
The best way to read prophecy is to imagine yourself not as the speaker, but as the spoken to.

How to Read Prophetic Judgment

Read more about Default Settings for Scripture
The “default settings” of our mindsets about scripture have a big effect on our ability to make use of them

Default Settings for Scripture