Scripture

Then the watchman said, “Babylon is fallen, fallen. All the idols of Babylon lie broken on the ground.”

Observation

Disaster is coming to Babylon as the Elamites and Medes lay siege to it. The Lord is bringing to an end the groaning caused by Babylon.

The watchman looks day after day, seeing nothing. Then a messenger comes with the news that Babylon is fallen and all of its idols are broken.

Edom looks for daylight from this, but the night will soon return. Within a year the glory of Kedar will come to an end.

Application

Babylon was the centre of a great empire that included Israel. In the Bible, it is a symbol for the political and commercial powers in the in the world system

The mighty empire of the Babylonians fell, and its false gods could not save it.

No matter how secure and and prosperous we may feel, our safety and prosperity rely on God. Anything else that we build our lives on will eventually fall and and let us down.

The false gods and idols that Babylon relied on, and all of its military might and physical resources, could not save it.

Only God can provide us with eternal security. Only God can take us out of this world and carry us safely to the next.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the promise of your perfect protection. Every idol will fall, but you, O God, live forever. Amen.

Scripture

Then the Philistines will be thrown into panic, for they counted on the power of Ethiopia and boasted of their allies in Egypt.

Observation

Isaiah was commanded by the Lord to take off his sackcloth clothing and sandals and to walk naked and barefoot for three years. This was a prophetic sign for Ethiopia and Egypt. The king of Assyria will take away the Egyptians and Assyrians as prisoners. They will walk away naked and barefoot.

The Philistines will panic because they had been boasting about their alliances with Egypt and Ethiopia. If the king of Assyria can do this to them, what will he do to the Philistines?

Application

Over and over the Bible warns us not to trust political rulers. For Israel, the warning was not to rely on their military might or their foreign allies. For us the message is the same – do not look to human powers such as governments as our source of security.

Our hope and faith must be in Christ alone. When all around is falling, He will stand firm.

The tendency is to put our trust anywhere but in God – our possessions, our job, the government, the church. Christ is our hope. Anything else is idolatry.

This does not mean that we live in our own little bubble. No, we live in society like anyone else, but our source of peace is Christ.

Prayer

Lord forgive me for trusting in false gods which cannot save me. You alone are my salvation. Amen.

Scripture

The Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians. Yes, they will know the Lord and will give their sacrifices and offerings to him.

Observation

The Lord is advancing against Egypt, riding on a swift cloud. The Lord will send a hard and cruel master to rule over the Egyptians. The water of the Nile will dry up, and the whole nation will be in despair.

A spirit of foolishness will come over the leaders and officials, and Egypt will be left weak.

The cities of Egypt will come under the influence of the Lord. They will even begin to speak Hebrew and they will offer sacrifices.

The Lord will make Himself known to the Egyptians. He will strike them and then He will heal them. Assyria, Egypt and Israel will be allies, and the Lord will bless them.

Application

The prophet is looking at God’s blessing of Egypt in his own context. Several Egyptian cities did in fact become centres where Jewish people lived in large numbers.

Much later, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the gospel was preached in Egypt, and many people were saved. Much of North Africa was influenced by christianity. In a very real way, The Lord made himself known to Egypt.

Although the country is Muslim dominated these days, there is a big Christian population. The Lord continues to bless the people of Egypt.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your eternal purposes. Your promises never fail because you never fail. Amen.

Scripture

Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn to the Holy One of Israel. They will no longer look to their idols for help or worship what their own hands have made.

Observation

The Lord will destroy Syria, which will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory.

In Israel, the whole land will look like a grain field after the harvest. There will only be a few people left to tend the land.

Then at last, God’s people will return to Him, giving up their idols and false gods.

Even though the armies of the enemies roar like the ocean, God will silence them and they will run away. In the evening Israel waits in terror, but by morning its enemies are dead.

Application

God’s purposes are always redemptive, that is they seek to draw us back to Him.

The Lord did not punish Israel out of vengeance. He sent them into exile to force them to abandon their idols and turn back to Him.

When we go through difficult times, we can choose to battle them on our own ability, or we can draw close to God and listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

I have found that in the darkest and most troubling experiences of life, the Lord is always there. He does not necessarily remove the suffering, but He does give us hope to sustain us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your promise never to abandon us. Please help me to always turn my attention to you in every circumstance. Amen.

Scripture

But now the lord says, ”Three years, counting each day, the glory of Moab will be ended. From its great population, only a few of the people will be left live.”

Observation

Isaiah continues his prophecy regarding Moab.

Women cry out for protection against their enemies and their relentless attacks.

When the oppression and destruction end, God will appoint one of David’s descendants as King over the Moabites. He will rule with mercy, truth, justice, and righteousness.

In three years, the Lord says, the glory of Moab will be ended, and only a portion of the population will remain alive.

Application

Moab and Israel were often at war with each with each other. Many prophecies were spoken against Moab, but now the date for destruction is stated – within three years.

It is inconceivable to us that a nation that was big enough to trouble Israel over centuries could be destroyed as thoroughly as Moab was going to be. Yet this was the fate of many nations in that era. A war might not directly kill many, but the side effects of famine and disease that often follow war could do this. Policies of taking people into captivity as slaves could also depopulate a country.

When God’s grace turns to judgement, the result can be catastrophic. I must walk in the grace of the Lord in order to maintain his favour.

Prayer

Lord, I approach your throne in humility and with respect. Thank you for adopting me into your family. May I always walk in your favour. Amen.

Scripture

In one night the town of Ar will be levelled and the City of Kir will be destroyed.

Observation

Isaiah now prophesies against Moab, which lies to the east of Israel.

Devastation is coming with towns being levelled in one night. People cry out in terror at what is happening.

The rivers are dried up and the grassy banks are scorched. The streams near Dibon run red with blood. The lord will send lions to hunt down the survivors – both those who try to escape and those who remain behind.

Application

Here Isaiah paints a picture of sudden destruction in Moab. Several towns are destroyed overnight.

It is not clear what sort of event is being described – an earthquake together with drought perhaps. Or is there a military invasion being described?

While are modern civilisation protects us from many natural disasters, life is still fragile. In poorer countries, drought turns into famine and then disease.

Even in advanced societies, any of us can be struck down in an instant by the proverbial bus, or unexpected severe illness, or attacks by criminals.

Tonight my life on earth could end. Then I have to stand before God. I am thankful for the knowledge that my sins have been atoned for by Christ and my guilt is taken away.

For those who don’t know Christ, I encourage you to make today the day you give your heart to him.

Prayer

Lord, we link to think that our life on earth is endless, but the fact is that all of us are here for a short time. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay for my sins. Amen.

Scripture

For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven, and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.”

Observation

The Lord will bring His people home. He will have mercy on them.

The king of Babylon will be destroyed by the Lord. The spirits in the world of the dead will mock him. For all of his pretensions of greatness, he is as weak as any other dead person.

He said to himself that he would set his throne above God’s stars. He would climb to the highest mountain, the mountain of the gods, and preside over them.

The Lord will make Babylon a desolate place. He will also break as Syria and Philistia

Application

People sometimes attribute parts of this the self-exaltation of lucifer or satan. There is nothing in the text to suggest that it is anything other than a rhetorical attack on Babylon.

We can see, though, how people think, often under the influence of satan. They should be the top dog – the leader of the world, the CEO of the company, or the pastor of the local church. They deserve the place of honour, they think; the right to control other people’s lives.

This is not the way of the Lord. Jesus tells us to put others ahead of ourselves. The way to the top is through an attitude of service – serving others and serving the Lord. This is to be done without any thought of personal reward.

This is a hard lesson for some. We must learn to serve.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to love the place of service. Show me any attitude of pride that stops me from walking in your ways. Amen.

Scripture

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation.

Observation

This chapter is a song about salvation.

I will praise you God because you have lifted your anger from me and replaced it was comfort. We can trust the God who saves us and not be afraid.

With joy we drink deeply from the fountain of salvation. The Lord has done wonderful things. Great is the Holy One of Israel.

Application

One of the most observable features of Christians is their joy. When I move between christian and non-christian environments, this move from joy to fear/anxiety /depression often strikes me.

My wife comes from a big extended family, many of whom are Christians. Whenever they get together, it is like a happy reunion of old friends. Even at funerals, the joy and laughter are evident.

How can we drink deeply from the fountain of salvation?

I think the key is that we maintain the spirit of thanksgiving, the attitude of gratitude.

I regularly thank the Father for adopting me into His family and Jesus for paying the price of my salvation. I praise the Holy Spirit who is the deposit or seal of my salvation.

Read the scriptures daily and immerse yourself in the spiritual realities that lie behind the veil of the physical realm. We are in a spiritual battle, but God has the victory!

Keep coming back to the Lord. He is The fountain of salvation and the source of all joy.

Prayer

Hallelujah! What a saviour! Thank you Lord for saving me and keeping me safe in the palm of your hand. Amen.

Scripture

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Observation

Out of David’s stump a shoot, a new branch, will grow. The Spirit of the Lord will be upon him – wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

He will bring justice, and the earth will shake at his word. Nature will be transformed and natural enemies will live in peace.

The heir to David’s kingdom will be a banner of salvation to the whole world. Nations will come to Him. He will make a highway for his people to return to the land from every direction.

Application

From the stump of David’s Kingdom came the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. His word has shaken the world and now billions of people from every nation on the earth claim to be his followers.

The Spirit of the Lord rests upon him. That is how we know He is the true son of God and not a pretend saviour

The Spirit of wisdom – He knew how to deal with the sick people and the true seekers, as well as deflecting the troublemakers.

The Spirit of understanding – He sees through all the pretences of men and women because He sees our hearts.

The Spirit of counsel – he is the Advocate, the Paraclete. Jesus advocates for us with the Father, saying “he/ she is mine.”

The Spirit of knowledge – He knows all things and can give us knowledge that brings healing and conviction for us and for others.

The Spirit of the fear of the Lord – this is about worship, our whole lives are being transformed by His presence as we bring our lives into alignment with His purposes.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the true messiah, the glorious king over all people over all people, the Son of God. Praise be to you. Amen