Scripture Text: Isaiah 13:1-23:18
Memory Verse: “For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.” —Isaiah 14:1
Introduction:
Isaiah 13-35 can be viewed as three “tutoring sessions” to Judah. The first session is covered by the oracles of Isaiah 13:1-23:18. The primary lesson to be learned here is, “Why trust the nations when they are under judgment from God?” But this is exactly what Ahaz has already done, and what King Hezekiah will be tempted to do.
The nations may attempt to conquer and hold captive Judah, but each will fail because God’s judgment will also fall heavily upon them. The nations marked for judgment in these chapters are Babylon (Isaiah 13:1-14:23; 21:1-10 [and encompasses Assyria, Isaiah 14:24-27]), Philistia (Isaiah 14:28-32), Moab (Isaiah 15:1-16:14), Damascus (Syria, Isaiah 17:1-14), Cush (Nubia and Ethiopia, Isaiah 18:1-7), Egypt (Isaiah 19:1-20:6), Dumah (Edomites, Isaiah 21:11-12), Arabia (Isaiah 21:13-17), Jerusalem (Judah, Isaiah 22:1-25), and Tyre (Isaiah 23:1-18). This makes a total of eleven oracles against the nations in this section, although Assyria is included inside the oracle to Babylon. This makes the list of oracles inclusive of the whole ancient Near Eastern world, with only Ammon omitted. No nation or alliance of nations stand a chance against the awesome might of the Holy One of Israel.
The real beauty behind these oracles is that it is God’s desire not only to save His own people and bring a righteous remnant so He might bless them, but that He wants to call all the nations to Himself through Judah. God’s judgment falls upon the disbelieving and disobedient, not to bring irreparable destruction, but to open the door for a cleansing and change of heart that will draw all peoples into His favor. Israel was God’s chosen people, but not those chosen for exclusive rights to His grace and favor. They were chosen to be the voice of truth to the world, and a witness to the nations of the absolute supremacy and love of the Lord.
Studying the Word
- What sin was at the core of Babylon’s rebellion against God? (Isaiah 13:9-13) Is this problem the true seed of every other sin? (Genesis 3:6-7; Psalm 49:6-7; Proverbs 13:10; 21:4; John 9:41; Revelation 3:17)
- In meditating on the oracle against Philistia (Isaiah 14:28-32), is it ever appropriate to reach out to worldly sources to acquire spiritual blessings? (Psalm 23; 31:19; 34:9; Philippians 4:19)
- Discuss the words of hope found within the oracle to Moab. (Isaiah 16:4-5) How will this ruler’s throne differ from all others? (John 10:11; 13:1; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 3:16)
- In the oracle to Syria, it is stated that Judah will one day turn their back on idols and give God their full faith. The key emphasis is on worshiping their Maker. (Isaiah 17:7-8) How does idolatry take a downward progression into even deeper degradation? Aren’t all sins, in some aspect, a type of idolatry? (Romans 1:22-32)
- The oracle to Egypt is really about the inadequacy of earthly things to satisfy and fulfill. Yet each of these is tempting to the heart of mankind: (1) human wisdom, (2) the natural environment, and (3) the spirit world. The religion and philosophy of Egypt was founded on these things, but is modern society just as guilty? What must we do? (Isaiah 1:16-20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; James 4:7-10; 2 Peter 1:3-9)
- Isaiah 22:15-24 compares the steward, Shebna, to a man named Eliakim. The position of chief steward would compare to the position of prime minister in the modern world, so it was a position of great responsibility and authority. Contrast the self-centeredness of Shebna to the qualities of his replacement, Eliakim.
- Although Eliakim will be a more effective and reliable leader than the conceited Shebna, what does Isaiah prophesy will happen as the pressures of country and family are hung fully upon him? (Isaiah 22:5) What important lesson can we glean from this? (Psalm 60:11; Jeremiah 17:5; Psalm 125:1-2; Proverbs 3:5-6)