Babylon gets a mention for the first time - it will be a hugely significant name in Israel’s psyche, but as yet, little more than an upstart on the world stage.
Judgement upon Babylon
Isaiah 13:1-16
The return from exile
Isaiah 14:1-3
The king of Babylon’s fall
Isaiah 14:4-11, 18-21
God will destroy Babylon
Isaiah 14:22-23
God will destroy the Assyrians
Isaiah 14:24-27
Judgement upon the world
Isaiah 24:1-23
A hymn of praise
Isaiah 25:1-5
God prepares a banquet
Isaiah 25:6-9
God will punish Moab
Isaiah 25:10-12
God’s victorious people
Isaiah 26:1-11
The king of Babylon is described in the most exalted terms - exalted like a god of heaven, but brought crashing down by God’s power. Christians have read this as a description of the fall of Satan, to me it reminds me of the pride of someone like Nebuchadnezzar, who become a mighty emperor, and sought people’s worship.
Then we jump to chapter 24, when the camera pulls back, and we see God executing judgement on the whole world. It reminds me of one of those God-sim computer games, in which you have the power over the whole earth, to press the delete button and watch hundreds of tiny little soldiers die, or to build up a fortified city according to your design, much as Isaiah describes Jerusalem being built up in chapter 26. It all serves to flesh out this new picture of God - higher and mightier than ever his people imagined him before, able to humble the mightiest and most terrifying earthly power with lazy ease.
Judgement upon Babylon
Isaiah 13:1-16
The return from exile
Isaiah 14:1-3
The king of Babylon’s fall
Isaiah 14:4-11, 18-21
God will destroy Babylon
Isaiah 14:22-23
God will destroy the Assyrians
Isaiah 14:24-27
Judgement upon the world
Isaiah 24:1-23
A hymn of praise
Isaiah 25:1-5
God prepares a banquet
Isaiah 25:6-9
God will punish Moab
Isaiah 25:10-12
God’s victorious people
Isaiah 26:1-11
The king of Babylon is described in the most exalted terms - exalted like a god of heaven, but brought crashing down by God’s power. Christians have read this as a description of the fall of Satan, to me it reminds me of the pride of someone like Nebuchadnezzar, who become a mighty emperor, and sought people’s worship.
Then we jump to chapter 24, when the camera pulls back, and we see God executing judgement on the whole world. It reminds me of one of those God-sim computer games, in which you have the power over the whole earth, to press the delete button and watch hundreds of tiny little soldiers die, or to build up a fortified city according to your design, much as Isaiah describes Jerusalem being built up in chapter 26. It all serves to flesh out this new picture of God - higher and mightier than ever his people imagined him before, able to humble the mightiest and most terrifying earthly power with lazy ease.
Hi Dakota -
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. You're most welcome.