Daily Devotional
Sunday: The Oracles to Babylon & Assyria: Isaiah 13:1-14:27; 21:1-10
Even during the time of the Assyrian empire, Babylon was the center of culture and civilization in the entire Near East. It is thereby fitting that the series of proclaimed judgments against human power and glory begin with Babylon. The inclusion of Assyria is not given as a separate oracle, but uses their downfall as an example of Babylon’s own impending doom. The heights of equality with God that Babylon aspired to will never be achieved. It will end in the depths of the lowest pit. The oracle to the “Desert by the Sea” is alluded to in Isaiah 21:9 as Babylon.
Monday: The Oracles to Philistia & Moab: Isaiah 14:28-32; 15:1-16:14
It is unclear by the facts known for certain why Philistia is included in the oracles, nor why it came at the time of the death of King Ahaz. Perhaps Philistia was pressuring King Hezekiah to join them in revolting against Assyria. The oracle to Moab takes a different tone—Isaiah laments over its destruction. This may have been because of the close relationship between Judah and Moab, as witnessed in the book of Ruth.
Monday: The Oracles to Syria and Cush: Isaiah 17:1-18:7
Damascus was the capital city of Syria, so the oracle to Damascus was really to all of Syria. They had allied with the nation of Israel (Samaria), and had come against Judah. Judah’s response to this threat was to turn to the nations of the world for its help, instead of turning to God. That is really the heart of all the oracles of judgment. Judah must not put her trust in any foreign nation. Cush (Ethiopians) rule over Egypt, and they also desire to draw Judah into a coalition against Assyria. The message to Judah couldn’t be any clearer: trust God alone!
Wednesday: The Oracle to Egypt: Isaiah 19:1-20:6
The oracle to Egypt is in three parts, or poems. The first (Isaiah 19:1-15) predicts Egypt’s fall, showing that none of the great gifts the nation has relied on will save her. The second poem (Isaiah 19:16-25) speaks of Egypt’s turn to God in three dimensions: (1) that several cities in Egypt will speak Hebrew, (2) that the Lord will be worshipped in Egypt, and (3) that Egypt and Assyria will be united with Judah, and will travel back and forth between each other’s countries to worship God! The last poem (Isaiah 20:1-6), returns again to the certainty of Egypt’s judgment.
Thursday: The Oracles to Edom & Arabia: Isaiah 21:11-17
The two-verse oracle to Edom is somewhat perplexing. Here the nation is requiring an insight from Isaiah to future events concerning them. He responds that morning is coming, but that night will swiftly follow it. This could be the short interval between the fall of Assyria and the rising threat of Babylon. The oracle to Arabia is short, pointed, and clear—in one year’s time, their warriors will be decimated.
Friday: The Oracle to Judah: Isaiah 22:1-25
We find Judah rejoicing over the help Babylon will give her against the other nations. Unfortunately, they failed to learn their lesson with Assyria. Babylon may be an immediate help, but will end up being their conquerors.
Saturday: The Oracle to Tyre: Isaiah 23:1-18
Like all other rich heathen nations, Tyre exalted itself against God (Isaiah 23:9), promoting the lie that humans can supply all their own spiritual needs and can shape deity in the image of humanity. This kind of pride spells the certain downfall of any nation or individual who embraces it. (Proverbs 16:18-19)