ISAIAH 21 BABYLON IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN

 

Isaiah 21

Babylon is fallen, is fallen

Isa 21:1  The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. 

A prophetic message concerning Babylon, here symbolically referred to as "the desert of the sea," likely due to the barrenness of the vast marshy regions once covered with water. In Scripture, whirlwinds are often described as coming from the south, and similarly, this judgment—likened to a whirlwind—refers to the army of the Medes, rapidly advancing from a desolate and wild region.

 Isa 21:2  A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. 

The prophet receives a troubling and difficult vision. ‘The plunderer is plundered, and the destroyer is destroyed’.  Initially uncertain whether it refers to the conqueror or the conquered, he ultimately understands the divine command: the Lord calls Elam under the Persians to advance and Media to lay siege to Babylon. This joint assault would bring an end to the suffering and groaning of the oppressed.

 Isa 21:3  Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. 

The prophet presents himself as if he were in Babylon, witnessing the approaching destruction.  He describes deep anguish as if experiencing labour pains of a woman about to deliver associated with deep sorrow and grief. The intensity of the vision physically overwhelmed him that he could not bear to see it or hear it.

Isa 21:4  My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. 

The prophet was troubled and disturbed. Imagining himself in Babylon, he describes the night of revelry in which Babylon was taken. The night that was to bring joy instead brings overwhelming fear.

 Isa 21:5  Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

This verse reflects a shift from feasting to alarm. Initially, instructions are given by the king to set the table for the feast for it was a day of festivity and a night of revelry, to set guard over the watchtowers on the walls of Babylon so that the city shall be secure while they eat, drink and enjoy. Suddenly, a warning interrupts the celebration: the princes are ordered to rise and prepare themselves for battle by anointing their shields with oil.

 Isa 21:6  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. 

The Lord commands Isaiah to appoint a watchman who would report what he observes.

Isa 21:7  And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: 

The watchman reports seeing a chariot drawn by a couple of horsemen or a cavalry of horsemen both walking abreast signifying the armies of Medes and Persians. There were cavalries of asses and camels – used by the Medes and Persians in wars.

Isa 21:8  And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: 

The watchman was on his vigil day and night, seeing and listening with diligence. He cried out to the prophet that he saw ‘a lion’ marching before the chariots and the horsemen symbolising a fierce leader, possibly Cyrus or Darius. 

Isa 21:9  And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. 

The watchman reported seeing a wagon or carriage of warriors drawn by horses. The watchman then cried out, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen’ for the overthrow of Babylon was inevitable. The repetition emphasised the certainty of its destruction. Babylon was known for its idolatry but it shall be destroyed in spite of its idols, the whole kingdom will be ruined.

Isa 21:10  O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. 

Usually threshing refers to the judgment or punishment of the enemies of God but here it tenderly refers to Israel, suffering under Babylonian oppression. They were endearingly addressed as the ‘son of my threshing floor’! The Lord declares to them that in the destruction of Babylon was their consequent certain deliverance.

Isa 21:11  The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 

A prophecy concerning the land of Dumah – this title is perhaps displaced or refers to Idumea, the land of the Edomites. Someone from the mountainous region of Seir, where the Edomites (the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob) dwelt makes a taunting enquiry to prophet Isaiah addressing him as the watchman. The person anxiously enquires to know of the outcome of the calamity referred to as the ‘night’ of Babylon in regard to the people of Israel. The person enquires again as he is anxious to know of the outcome of Babylon's fall in regard to the Edomites.

Isa 21:12  The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come. 

To the enquiry made, Isaiah, indeed a watchman of the people of God, watching for their safety and interests, and looking for the counsel of God that he may appropriately warn and comfort them responds that morning—symbolic of Israel’s deliverance—is coming, but also night—judgment—especially for Edom. The invitation to "return" calls the Edomites to repent of their evil ways and seek God's mercy.

Isa 21:13  The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. 

A prophecy of judgment upon Arabia – perhaps the title ‘the burden of Dumah’ should have been placed here. The children of Dumah (an Ishmaelite tribe, Gen 25: 13 – 16) had settled in Arabia. The caravans of the merchant tribe of the land of Dedan, descendants of the grandson of Cush, the son of Ham (Gen 10: 7, Eze 27: 20), the Dedanims are urged to seek refuge in the forests to avoid their enemies.

 Isa 21:14  The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. 

The travellers were shown hospitality by the people of Tema, (another Ishmaelite tribe, Gen 25: 13 - 16) who provided water and bread to those escaping war.

Isa 21:15  For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. 

The Dedanims were refugees fleeing from fierce warfare: swords, bows, and violence.

Isa 21:16  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: 

The Lord declares a specific time—within one year (the term of a hired worker)—the power and splendour of Kedar, another Ishmaelite tribe (Gen 25: 13 - 16), will be destroyed.

 Isa 21:17  And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it. 

The prophecy concludes with the certainty that the remaining warriors and archers of Kedar will be few in number. The fulfillment of the prophecy is certain as the LORD God of Israel has declared it. 

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