BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusਨਮੂਨਾ

A mighty battle cry thunders in the distance. Countless legions of soldiers pour over the horizon, cascading down the mountains in terrifying waves. Overhead, the stars wink out one by one until even the sun fades. Convulsions shudder through the skies. The ground bucks and surges underfoot.

Is the world coming to an end?

Yes and no, but more no. This is apocalyptic imagery. Isaiah uses it to show the cosmic significance of Yahweh’s de-creating judgment against Babylon. The prophet looks forward to a world turned upside down, where Yahweh dethrones the global superpowers of Assyria and Babylon and raises insignificant little Judah to triumph. Isaiah’s cosmic imagery invites readers to see how these individual events fit into a much bigger story about God’s mission to undo every corrupt and violent empire, once and for all.

Isaiah’s warning opens a mystery for all readers to continue pondering: Even though Yahweh sometimes describes the violence of these nations as an instrument of justice against Israel’s evil, that does not mean Yahweh approves of human violence. Yes, Babylon might be the force that puts Israel’s rebellion to rest, but Babylon’s own rebellion is not therefore okay.

Isaiah warns that Yahweh will judge their injustice and pride the same way he’s judged both in Israel. Reduced to ash and rubble, Babylon’s lush urban gardens will wither in parched, barren soil. Their gleaming palaces will crumble to a heap of dusty stones.

Brace yourselves, Isaiah says, the Day of the Lord is coming.

Reflection Questions

• Meditate on the parallels between Isaiah 14 and Genesis 11. How do these connections help you better understand what’s happening in both Babylon stories?
• Compare today’s reading to Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2. What common themes do you notice? Any contrasts?