The Judgment of Babylon - Isaiah 13

As we reach chapter 13, we encounter one of the major prophetic sections in scripture regarding Babylon. The time being referenced is identified as a time when “the kingdoms of nations are gathered together” to do God’s bidding in destroying the land. These forces are identified as coming from far away—“the end of heaven.” This is not an accurate description of the takeover of Babylon by the Medo-Persians in 539 BC; and as we read on in the chapter, it appears to be referencing a time yet future.

In light of the coming attack, the people of the land will be overcome with fear and will experience agony that is compared to that of a woman in childbirth. Verse 8 even describes them as having “flaming faces.” This description carries a bit more significance in this day of nuclear weaponry.

In verse 10 reference is made to the lights in heaven being darkened. This seems to make a direct correlation between Isaiah’s revelation and that of the Apostle John in the book of Revelation regarding the seal and trumpet judgments. Verse 11 implies that the destruction of Babylon will have worldwide repercussions and is a direct judgment against its evil and pride. This would indicate that at this time of judgment Babylon possesses great influence on the worldwide stage.

In verses 12-13 the implication is that the attack that results in Babylon’s destruction is part of a much bigger conflict among the nations. God even declares His intent to take part by causing an earthquake so great that the earth “removes out of her place.” Again, this coincides with revelation that was given to the Apostle John.

The closing verses of the chapter describe the violent, wicked deeds that men will do to one another. The final result—“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.” This is obviously not true of Babylon today and must be referencing a destruction yet to come.

Obviously, I don’t think that God is the author of man’s evil actions against others. I do, however, believe that in His omniscience God developed His plan to utilize many (if not all) of these actions for His purposes. As I have stated previously, in my mind this is just another amazing demonstration of God’s power and authority. His plan has taken into account the actions of billions of people over thousands of years—and it was established before the foundation of the world.

As a side note, it is always interesting to me how people are so quick to jump on anyone who alludes to the possibility of God as the cause of any type of natural disaster, such as an earthquake, in an act of judgment upon sin when the scripture is clear in stating that God has done so since the beginning of creation. Why would He all of a sudden take total hands off? The problem is that our thinking is so grounded in the world that most of us don’t know how to begin to look at things from His perspective. God is much more concerned about our spiritual well being than our material well being; He is focused on our eternal destiny. There is a section in Job worth considering at this point; I liked the phrasing from The Complete Jewish Bible.

Job 37:5-13 “God thunders wonderfully with His voice, He does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth!’ — likewise to the light rain, also to the downpour. He brings all human activity to a stop, so that everyone He has made can know it. Then the animals go into their lairs and hibernate in their dens. “Out of its chamber comes the storm, with cold out of the north. By the breath of God, ice is given, and the wide waters freeze over. He weighs the clouds down with moisture, and they flash forth His lightning. He, by his plans, turns them around, so they do what He commands them anywhere on earth; He brings them forth on the earth sometimes to punish, sometimes to express His grace.

As The Creator, we have no right to question His judgment or His methods. Everything He does is right and good. Consider the following words from the prophet Daniel.

Daniel 9:13-14 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

In these verses Daniel is praying for His people and is acknowledging that they deserved God’s judgment. Therein lies the main problem for most people in considering the possibility of God’s hand of judgment regarding some events on planet earth. They do not recognize that they are deserving of judgment. The first words out of the mouths of many concern “the innocent” who suffered. This projects a pious spirit and assumes that such action by God would be unrighteous. In reality God is trying to get the attention of His creation. He is a God of love and exhibits great longsuffering before exercising judgment. The Apostle Peter tells us clearly that God’s heart is for all men to repent and be saved.

2Pet. 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The prophet Jeremiah shared God’s heart clearly in a message to the people of Israel. God deals with nations as well as individuals.

Jeremiah 18:7-10 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Scripture is full of examples of God’s actions for and against individuals, cities, nations and kingdoms in accordance with His purposes.