This is a passage that is full of sarcasm. How are we to understand it? It’s like a splash of cold water to wake us up. What kind of stupor is this cold water meant to wake us up from? What cold water splash do you need today?
(A) Mourn the absence of security (ISa 47:1-6)
In Isaiah 47:1, the prophet addresses Babylon. Here, the whole nation is described and likened to a female (“virgin daughter”). The phrase “come down and sit in the dust” indicates that the nation is being brought down from a position of prestige.
The language of violation is also present in Isaiah 47:2-3. Scripture does not shy away from the realities of human life, even its indignities. Here, the imagery is painfully true, but not crass (Isa 47:2). The phrase “take the millstones” indicate that she becomes a prisoner of war. She is is commanded to remove her clothes, and the phrase “pass through the rivers” indicate that there is military conquest. We get a description of how of the virgin (Babylon) leaves her position and is humiliated.
This is God taking vengeance. In Psalm 137:1-3, 8-9, we read of how by the water of Babylon, the people of God sat and wept when they remembered Zion, the capital in their homeland. They were commanded to sing by their captors but how could they sing? The Edomites cheered on the conquest of Jerusalem. The psalmist also ends by saying that may what was done to them, also happen to their captors. This is the context behind Isaiah 47.
In his “Histories”, the Ancient Greek researcher and historian Herodotus, who was not a Christian, recorded the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Persian in October 539 BC: “The Babylonians, encamped without their walls, awaited his coming. A battle was fought at a short distance from the city, in which the Babylonians were defeated by the Persian king, whereupon they withdrew within their defenses. Here they shut themselves up, and made light of his siege, having laid in a store of provisions for many years in preparation against this attack; for when they saw Cyrus conquering nation after nation, they were convinced that he would never stop, and that their turn would come at last.”
Herodotus, a non-Christian corroborates the biblical claim. History records for us how Babylon fell to the Persians. But, so what? This means that God’s word in Isaiah 47 described something that actually happened. Isaiah 47 tells us why — because God willed it. How do we know? Because God commanded it to be so.
In Isaiah 47:4-6, the Lord is introduced and is also referred to as “our Redeemer”, “the LORD of hosts”, the “Holy One of Israel”. Each of these terms reveal something about God. As Redeemer, we read of how He bought and brought back slaves. God knows the cruelty of Babylon (c.f. Isa 47:6). He has set them free. He is the one who has bought His people back! Here, He also uses this title to describe them as they emerge from exile.
As the LORD of hosts, He is the one commanding a great army. This refers to the power of God. The phrase “the Holy One of Israel” leaves not doubt as to whose god He is. There is no doubt whose god He is.
Edmund Clowney, in the book “Called to Ministry”, writes,
“God's grace goes even further. Not only does he give his name to his people, but he takes their names as his own. He reveals himself as "El-Elohe-Israel," God, the God of Israel. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. By the names of his sons, God is identified to the nations.”
He goes on to say,
“Did God’s goodness exceed his wisdom? Could he not forsee his consequences of identifying himself with this people? God’s people defiled his name name and made it a vain oath among their conquerors. God's name was blasphemed among the nations precisely because he was known as the God of Israel.
No, God's grace was not in vain, nor was his purpose thwarted. He calls to the distant nations and the isles of the sea to hear his proclamation. He has called from the womb a true Servant who is his salvation to the ends of the earth. This Servant is named of God (Isa. 49:1). He will be the true Israel; he will restore a remnant of the tribes of Jacob and be a light to the Gentiles (Isa. 49:6). His name is Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6). He is Immanuel, God with us (Isa 7:14).
This is why we call ourselves Christians when we come to know Him! What are we baptised into? We have been baptised into the Father, Son and Spirit. This is a God who allows us to know Him according to His name.
As we read Isaiah 47, we are meant to understand that the fall of Babylon is not some random historical event. Rather, we are to see that the Lord is the one who lifts up, casts down, sets free and brings disaster. They are all a part of God’s own sovereign choice. What splash of cold water do you need on your face today? What do you need to see clearly?
Psalm 73 is a helpful psalm for us as we consider how to apply this chapter in Isaiah. The verse in Psalm 73:1-15 are incredibly relatable! We too, try to obey and pursue Christ, but how has that worked out? It may seem that those who do not follow God prosper. Psalm 73:16-17 is a wonderful turning point. The verses after describe for us the right way to understand all that is going on.
Psalm 73 is the intention of Isaiah 47. We are not to believe for a moment, that there is security in life. All it takes is some time, perspective and wisdom to see that this world is not what we think it is. What makes a world of difference is whether we can stand before God. What matters is what He thinks of us. Friends, Babylon is not an eternal city. This is what Isaiah 47 is trying to tell us. God works out His plans and it shouldn’t surprise us int he least. Yet, we are often surprised because we realise that God’s Word is true, God is God and there are no substitutes.
How does the certain humiliation of Babylon teach us to think about spiritual security?
(B) God will expose security that is actually an illusion (Isa 47:7-15)
In Isaiah 47:7-11, the “you” in the text tells herself 4 things. They are:
“I shall be mistress forever,” (Isa 47:7a)
“I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children” (Isa 47:8)
“No one sees me” (Isa 47:10a) — in the context of wickednes
“I am, and there is no one besides me.” (Isa 47:10b)
These reveal a prideful heart. Notice how this nation declares that they exist as the “I am”, words that God uses in Exodus to reveal His self-sufficiency and existence. They too, think that they can get away with wickedness as no one sees them. It is a kind of arrogance that places the self above God, a confidence that no one sees and is able to judge.
As a result, she loses two things: children and husband (Isa 47:9). Isaiah 47:11 also speaks of evil befalling her, not in the sense of moral evil, but a kind of calamity or disaster.
As a result, the prophet mocks his hearers (Isa 47:12-15). The prophet takes aim at the enchantments and sorcery of the nation (c.f. Dan 2:2). The sarcasm is evident here and it is indeed a frightening thing if God gives us over to the false gods that we worship. Friends, do you realise that it is a good thing when God tells us “no” sometimes. This is God’s mercy to us when He draws the line so clearly. Yet we are so prone to try to toe the line and flirt with it. We think that God is a killjoy.
We should be glad that God calls us to flee every appearance of evil. Isaiah 47:13 tells us that our idols will weary ourselves out. Here, he refers specifically to the worship of the stars etc (i.e. astrology). What we cling on to is useless and burn up easily (Isa 47:14).
As we read this, what is God calling you to turn away from? What illusions of false security in your need to be dispelled? There cannot be a hint of another god in our life.
(C) Be confident in the true security of God’s salvation (Rev 18:1-24)
To end this study, we’ll read Revelation 18:1-24. The apostle John describes Babylon in this chapter. As we read Revelation 18, we shouldn’t think that it refers to some far off event, and speaks of a specific nation. Consider that “Babylon” is all that the world espouses — independent, proud and apart from God. This world that we live is has developed a system of worldliness, a pursuit of pleasure, technology and self-sufficiency, wealth and material possessions. This is the world that we live in, and we too, are therefore, in exile. We are to live in this world, but are not to be corrupted (Rev 18:4). If we are in Christ and a part of His church, one of His saints named by His name, we do not belong to Babylon. This world is not our home. The values of the world cannot be ours! This is our call and mission and purpose until the Lord returns again.
One day, Revelation 18:22-24 will come true. This is the coming destiny of the great city Babylon. See how the warning given to the ancient Babylon in Isaiah 47 is also mentioned in Revelation 18. We cannot think that Isaiah is too far away.
Therefore, see that God is not done with our world. One day He will come, and deal with all the evil in our world. Our hope is that Jesus will come again. When He comes, He will deal with evil. When He comes, may He find us holy and blameless.
John 5:24-29 also teaches us that we are God’s people through Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we have come out of the world and are now joined with Him. We are people who have turned away from sin. Our great hope is that we will see Him again.
Isaiah 47 tells us that true spiritual security can only be found in Christ Jesus. What are you living for? What is your hope? What is your fear? What do you need to be called out of?