Tagged: Edom

March 8, 2013

The woman fled — Revelation 12:6

Previously: She gave birth to a Son — Rev. 12:5

The scripture

Rev. 12:6 – The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be fed there for 1,260 days. (HCSB)

The woman fled

Finally in this section we are told, “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be fed there for 1,260 days” (v. 6). Keep in mind that the woman in this vision is Israel. So, we might ask: When does Israel flee? Where is the wilderness? What is the special place God prepares for her? And what is the meaning of 1,260 days?

As we noted earlier, some commentators see the woman as the Virgin Mary and conclude that this flight into the wilderness is her departure with Joseph and Jesus into Egypt after Herod’s decree to kill all infant males in and around Bethlehem. Others say the woman is the church on its pilgrim journey through the present age, nourished by God while living among a vast multitude of heathens. While these interpretations have some merit, they do not seem to fit the context as well as the understanding that the woman is Israel.

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March 22, 2009

Isaiah 21: Babylon has Fallen

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Prologue

Where we are:

Part 1: Judgment	Part 2: Historical Interlude	Part 3: Salvation
Chapters 1-35	Chapters 36-39	Chapters 40-66

When this takes place:

Isaiah speaks these oracles against Babylon, Dumah (Edom) and Arabia during the reign of Hezekiah, who hopes that a Babylonian uprising will break the grip of the Assyrians. Unfortunately for Judah, the rebellion fails.

Key verse:

Isa. 21:4 – My heart staggers; horror terrifies me. He has turned my last glimmer of hope into sheer terror.

Quick summary:

Lawrence O. Richards writes, “Isaiah continues his predictions of judgments destined to soon strike contemporary nations. The prophet foresees the fall of pagan Babylon, not due to emerge as a dominant world power for yet another 100 years (21:1-10). He also prophesies briefly against Edom and Arabia, who will try futilely to resist Assyria’s power (vv. 11-17)” (The Bible Readers Companion, electronic ed., S. 422).

Take note:

Many commentators assume that this oracle predicts the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian Empire in 539 B.C. That future event will produce joy among the Jews because it will result in the end of their captivity. So why does Isaiah liken the fall of Babylon to a time of terror for the Jews? Because Isaiah’s focus is on the more immediate future. In 722 B.C., a Chaldean prince named Marduk-apal-iddina revolts against Assyria, captures Babylon and becomes its king. Hezekiah and his people are hopeful that this rebellion will break the stranglehold of the Assyrians in that part of the world. But by 705 B.C. Marduk-apal-iddina and his ally Elam will be defeated, and by 698 B.C. the area around the Persian Gulf will be destroyed. The Jews’ hopes will be dashed.

A Judgment on Babylon (Isa. 21:1-10)

Rather than introduce a well-known country like Egypt or Moab, this oracle is against the “desert by the sea” (v. 1), a reference to southern Babylon, known for its swampy marshes between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the home of Marduk-apal-iddina (also known as Marodach-baladan). The invading army is depicted as a destructive desert storm, likely a reference to the Assyrian attack on Babylon around 689 B.C. Babylon’s neighbors, Media and Elam, are urged to attack the Assyrian forces to divert their attention from Babylon. The phrase, “I will put an end to all her groaning” (v. 2) possibly refers to the common people of Babylon who will finally experience rest from the attacks and counterattacks taking place in their country.

The strong emotional response in verses 3-4 likely is Isaiah’s gut-wrenching realization that Judah’s ally would meet a violent end, leaving Judah to defend herself against the Assyrians. Gary V. Smith writes, “He seems to be describing physical signs of cramps that brought him to his knees and a psychological astonishment that knocked the wind out of him. His heart stopped briefly and a horrendous thought brought great fear over him. He was hoping to enjoy a good night’s rest, but now God has turned this vision into a nightmare” (The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39, p. 372).

In verses 6-10 we are given the prophetic report of a watchman, sent by Isaiah at God’s command, to be on the lookout for any signs of battle between Babylon and Assyria. Day and night the watchman peers faithfully at the horizon and questions passers by. Finally the news arrives: “Babylon has fallen, has fallen. All the idols of her gods have been shattered on the ground” (v. 9). If the people of Judah trust in an alliance between King Hezekiah and Babylon’s Marduk-apal-iddina, hoping a Babylonian revolt will break Assyria’s domination over the region, they will be sorely disappointed. The words of the watchman bring Isaiah and the people to their knees. Isaiah reiterates that his message is from God (v. 10). He is only telling them what the Lord Almighty has revealed. The man from the “desert by the sea,” Marduk-apal-iddina, will fail. Judah must trust God, not the Babylonians, to save them.

An Oracle Against Dumah (Isa. 21:11-12)

This is a mysterious oracle. The name Dumah was given to one of Ishmael’s sons (Gen. 25:13-15), as were the names Kedar and Tema (mentioned in Isa. 21:13-16), so the name most likely as associated with an oasis in the northern part of the Arabian desert, northeast of Edom. This site is on the trade route from Mesopotamia to Edom, and traders passing through would bring news about what is happening in Babylon. Since little information is provided, it’s hard to determine when this oracle is given. Likely it is prior to 700 B.C. during the reign of Sargon or Sennacherib (which fits vv. 1-10), or a much later date when the Babylonian king Nabonidus conquers various tribes in the Arabian Desert (500-540 B.C.).

In any case, the message is clear. The people along the trade route closer to Assyria and Babylon want to know, “Watchman, what is left of the night?” When will all the bloodshed and oppression be over? The watchman, perhaps Isaiah himself, replies that morning is coming, but so is another evening. In other words, there will be a brief respite from warfare, and then more troubling times. Finally, the watchman tells the inquirer to ask again later, implying that more information has yet to be revealed.

It’s difficult to grasp the meaning of this oracle to Judah, especially since neither Judah nor God is mentioned. Gary V. Smith offers good insight: “If this prophecy came during the time when the Assyrian kings were oppressing Judah and Babylon (21:9-10), this news would give the people of Judah a general assurance that better days are ahead, but also warn them that these good times would be followed by more dark days. It is possible that Isaiah’s audience might conclude from these words that they must not expect that their alliance with Babylon will quickly solve all their problems with Assyria. The previous oracle tells why: Babylon will fall” (The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39, p. 377).

An Oracle Against Arabia (Isa. 21:13-17)

This oracle foretells the difficult times the people of Arabia would soon experience at the hands of the Assyrians. The Dedanites (v. 13) are from a tribe in southern Arabia. Tema (v. 14) is a well-known oasis in northwestern Arabia, and Kedar (v. 16) is in northern Arabia. Kedar is known for its distinctive black tents (Ps. 120:5; Song of Sol. 1:5; Jer. 49:28-29), but within one year the warriors of Kedar will experience a crushing defeat. The Arabians will become fugitives, running for their lives. In 715 B.C. Sargon writes that he has defeated a number of Arabian tribes and deported them to Samaria.

“The special significance of this oracle lies in its warning to the freest and most inaccessible of tribes that Assyria’s long arm will reach even them, at God’s command,” writes D.A. Carson. “Those of the far south, Tema and Dedan, will have to succour their more exposed brother-tribe of Kedar” (New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition, S. Is 21:13).

Closing Thought

This chapter informs the people of Judah that the entire Middle East, even the remote desert lands, will be in turmoil under the expansive political and military ambitions of the Assyrians. It’s a reminder to all God’s people that the Lord is sovereign over every nation and tribe, even those refusing to acknowledge Him, and that He directs human history toward its inevitable climax when Messiah comes in power and glory and rules the earth from David’s throne.

Rather than trusting in chariots and horses (Ps. 20:7), or in national alliances, we would do well to trust in God.

February 9, 2009

Isaiah 16: An Object of Contempt

Listen to an audio file (2.8.09)

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Prologue

Where we are:

Part 1: Judgment	Part 2: Historical Interlude	Part 3: Salvation
Chapters 1-35	Chapters 36-39	Chapters 40-66

When this takes place:

Chapter 16 is a continuation of the prophecy against Moab that begins in chapter 15. It likely takes place during the reign of Hezekiah when the Assyrians are trying to gain control of the countries around Judah; however, some scholars place this earlier, about three years prior to Assyria’s invasion in 732 B.C.

Key verse:

Isa. 16:14 And now the Lord says, “In three years, as a hired worker counts years, Moab’s splendor will become an object of contempt, in spite of a very large population. And those who are left will be few and weak.”

Quick summary:

Arriving in Edom, the Moabite refugees should turn to God through their neighbor Israel, but in pride they refuse to do so. As a result, the fruitfulness of their land will cease.

Take note:

Isaiah provides a three-year time frame for fulfillment of this prophecy. Whether this is Sennacherib’s invasion in 701 B.C. or an earlier invasion is not clear. However, Isaiah’s listeners throughout Judah and Moab are able to see the fulfillment of his prophecy and confirm that he is speaking the word of the Lord. If the short-term prophecies come to pass, Isaiah’s credibility is enhanced as he foretells Judah’s judgment, the virgin birth of the Messiah, and the Messiah’s reign on the throne of David.

The Plea of Moab (Isa. 16:1-5)

The one place the Assyrians cannot conquer is Jerusalem, although they have tried (see Isa. 36-37). But rather than flee to Mt. Zion, the Moabite refugees flee south to the fords of the Arnon River and the rock city of Sela (Petra) in Edom. From there, they send a request for asylum to the king of Judah, along with sheep as a form of tribute (see 2 Kings 3:4).

Isaiah is not impressed with their plea. He calls the Moabites extortionists, spoilers and oppressors, and says the nation is destined to be destroyed. Why so harsh? Because the Moabites want Judah’s protection but not Judah’s God. Verse 5 is messianic, pointing to the day when the Messiah will sit on the throne of David and reign in righteousness and mercy.

The Pride of Moab (Isa. 16:6-14)

Warren Wiersbe’s comments on these verses are instructive:

We can understand the pride of a city like Babylon (14:12-14), but what did the tiny nation of Moab have to boast about? Their pride kept them from submitting to Judah, and this led to their defeat. Their boasting would turn into wailing and their songs into funeral dirges. Moab would become like a vineyard trampled down and a fruitful field left unharvested. Isaiah 16:9-11 describes the prophet’s grief-and the Lord’s grief-over the destruction of Moab. “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezek. 33:11). Isaiah could have rejoiced at the destruction of an old enemy, but instead, he wept (Prov. 24:17-18)” (Be Comforted, S. Is 15:1).

Moab’s pride (v. 6) is perhaps best understood in light of her idolatry (v. 12). Although on the run from the Assyrians and facing certain defeat, the Moabites reject Israel’s God and cling instead to the idol Chemosh on Mt. Nebo. There, Isaiah points out, the Moabites will become fatigued with burdensome and empty rituals, and their prayers will not prevail.

Chemosh is the national god of the Moabites, known as the destroyer, subduer, or fish-god. In Scripture, the Moabites are called the “people of Chemosh” (Num. 21:29; Jer. 48:7, 13, 46). Solomon, under the influence of his idolatrous wives, introduced the Israelites to the worship of Chemosh. He built a high place in the mount before Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:7), but Josiah abolished this idolatrous worship (2 Kings 23:13).

The Moabites have always had close ties with Israel (see Gen. 19:30-38; Ruth 4:10, 18-22) but oppose them spiritually and politically (see Num. 25; Judges 3:12-14; 1 Sam. 14:47; 2 Sam. 8:2, 11-12; 2 Kings 3). The Lord makes it clear that her day of reckoning will come within three years. Whether Assyria’s invasion in 732 B.C. or 701 B.C. is in view – it is difficult to set this chapter specifically in either time frame – most people who hear this prophecy live to see it fulfilled and learn that the God of Israel, unlike the idol Chemosh, is true and trustworthy.

Final Thought

The prophecy concerning Moab makes several key theological points, according to Gary V. Smith: “First, God controls what is happening to all the people on earth and he understands why they wail and suffer pain and ruin…. Second, God’s message and his relationship with people is one of identification with the pain of the sufferer (15:5; 16:9)…. Third, God warns people about the future and then confronts them with their errors (particularly pride) for two reasons: (a) so that they will have some comprehension of why they will suffer (16:6), and (b) so that they will have an opportunity to choose a different path” (New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39, p. 338).