Babylon is called the \u2018virgin daughter\u2019 because to the remnant Jews the city and its empire appeared impregnable and invincible. Yet, Isaiah foretells Babylon\u2019s destruction. For all her vaunted glory the Lord will bring her to her knees and humiliate her in the dust. Darius and Cyrus will be instruments in God\u2019s hand but Babylon\u2019s destruction is retribution directly from the Lord for the hurt inflicted on His people. \u2018I will take vengeance\u2019, says the Lord, \u2018I will not meet thee as a man\u2019. I will meet you as the sovereign, holy God to judge evil and punish sin without leniency or mercy.<\/p>\n
A lesson from the past<\/b><\/p>\n
The fall of Babylon did indeed occur as Isaiah had prophesied but beyond the mere history it is the Gospel application and spiritual instruction supplied by this chapter that interests the church today. Some interpret this as typical of the city of Rome, and the church of Rome, which is mystical Babylon. The Apostle John uses Babylon in Revelation to describe the world-wide anti-Christ system that constantly afflicts the Lord\u2019s redeemed people and sets itself up in opposition to Christ and His church.<\/p>\n
A warning for the future<\/b><\/p>\n
Just as ancient Babylon is humbled and brought low in Isaiah\u2019s prophecy so Babylon the Great and all the anti-Christian systems of this world will be condemned and destroyed by the Lord for the vindication of His elect. Jesus Christ will rise to judge mystical Babylon. Isaiah\u2019s condemnation of the city and empire of his day indicated the crimes for which judgment would come; pride, sorcery, self-confidence \u2013 to the point of claiming divine attributes which apply only to God \u2013 and for persecuting Christ\u2019s little flock. As Babylon of old fell so judgment will fall on all the wickedness of this world in the day of Christ\u2019s glory.<\/p>\n
God\u2019s jealous love<\/b><\/p>\n
It is true the Lord had given the Jewish people into the hand of the Babylonians to be chastened for sin. However, the ferocity of Babylon\u2019s dealing with His elect remnant did not go unnoticed and could not go unpunished. Isaiah rebukes Babylon for not considering whose people these were and realising that sooner or later the Lord would deliver them again. Even when the elect are under the rod of divine discipline the Lord is jealous for His people\u2019s need, care and protection and designs only trials that work for their good.<\/p>\n
Deceived to the end<\/b><\/p>\n
The end of Babylon was swift. The city was taken by surprise while the people slept and the king and his nobles feasted. In one night Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took the kingdom. This is likened here to widowhood and the loss of children as when a city is deprived of its king and people. John tells us that right to the end mystery Babylon will imagine herself untouchable, saying in her heart, \u2018I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow\u2019 (Revelation 18:7).<\/p>\n
The blind leading the blind<\/b><\/p>\n
There is mocking irony in the Lord\u2019s challenge, \u2018Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee\u2019. As if to say, you have surrounded yourself with every means of telling the future and warning of danger, but not one of these methods will alert you to your destruction or supply comfort or a means to escape. When the Lord Jesus comes to judge sin no one will see the end coming, save the Lord\u2019s people who hear these prophecies, believe them and trust in God\u2019s faithfulness.<\/p>\n
The wrath to come<\/b><\/p>\n
The message of this chapter is the certainty of judgment and retribution when God shall avenge His people and punish His enemies and theirs. This world\u2019s systems, its politics, morality and ambition, is built on human pride and fleshy pleasure. It has no time for Christ and no time for His people. It is under the control of Satan and the devil\u2019s hatred of Christ and His seed is absolute. Out of this corrupt world God\u2019s elect have been delivered by the blood of a great Redeemer. They alone will be saved when the Lord\u2019s vengeance strikes.<\/p>\n
A Gospel shout<\/b><\/p>\n
One verse stands out as a bright light in this dark passage of judgment. It is verse 4. Here a cry of faith and gratitude springs from the church upon hearing these promises of deliverance, liberty and salvation at the hand of their Lord. They cry, \u2018As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel\u2019. This is a statement of confidence in Christ who is Himself the sovereign Lord and Himself the righteousness of His people. This is \u2018Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever\u2019 (Hebrews 13:8): the Lord our Redeemer, the Lord our Righteousness.<\/p>\n
Amen<\/p>\n