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.
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.
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.
4 My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
6 For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
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:
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:
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.
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.
11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
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:
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 book of Isaiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is one of the Major Prophets in the Old Testament. Isaiah, the author, was a prophet in Jerusalem, and his prophecies often revolved around the judgments of God, the coming Messiah, and the future restoration of Israel. In chapter 21, Isaiah prophesies the fall of Babylon, Edom, and Arabia. This chapter is a stark reminder of God's judgment against the nations that oppose His will and His people.
The chapter begins with a vivid description of a vision Isaiah receives from God. It is a vision of an impending disaster, a "grievous vision" (Isaiah 21:2, KJV) that is referred to as "the desert of the sea". This phrase is a metaphorical description of Babylon, which is located in a flat plain area and is about to be overwhelmed by the Persian army just as a desert is overwhelmed by a sea storm.
In this vision, Isaiah sees Babylon, a city of wealth and power, being attacked and conquered by the Medes and Persians. The prophecy foretells that Babylon, once a symbol of human pride and arrogance, will be brought low. The destruction is so severe that Isaiah describes himself as being in pain and trembling at what he sees (Isaiah 21:3, KJV).
The fall of Babylon is significant as it represents the judgment of God on a city that was known for its idolatry, wickedness, and opposition to God’s people. It is a stark reminder that despite the apparent strength and security of worldly powers, they are ultimately under the sovereignty of God and will fall under His judgment if they oppose His will.
The prophecy then shifts to focus on Edom, a neighboring nation of Israel. In the text, Edom is referred to as "Dumah", which means silence or stillness in Hebrew. This could be a reference to the silence or stillness that will come upon Edom as a result of God’s judgment.
A voice from Seir, a mountainous region in Edom, asks the watchman about the coming of the night (Isaiah 21:11, KJV). The watchman replies that the morning is coming, but also the night (Isaiah 21:12, KJV). This can be interpreted as a warning that although there may be a period of peace (morning), a time of judgment and destruction (night) is also coming.
This prophecy against Edom serves to emphasize that God’s judgment is not limited to the mighty Babylon, but also extends to the smaller nations. Just as with Babylon, Edom's downfall is a result of their opposition to God's people and disobedience to His commands.
The final section of the chapter prophesies the fall of Arabia. The inhabitants of the forest in Arabia will be brought low, and within a year, the glory of Kedar (a prominent tribe in Arabia) will fail (Isaiah 21:16-17, KJV). This prophecy, like the ones before, serves as a warning to the nations that oppose God and His people.
The repeated theme of the fall of nations in this chapter serves as a clear message of God’s sovereignty over all nations, and His judgment against those that stand against His will and His people. It also serves to assure God’s people that He is their protector and that He will judge their enemies.
The prophecies in Isaiah 21, like many other prophecies in the book of Isaiah, carry deep significance. They are not only predictions of future events, but also carry a spiritual message that is relevant to us today.
Firstly, these prophecies remind us of the sovereignty of God. No matter how powerful or secure a nation may seem, it is ultimately under the control of God. He raises up nations, and He brings them down. This is a reassuring message for believers, reminding us that God is in control, even when the world seems chaotic and uncertain.
Secondly, these prophecies serve as a warning against pride and disobedience to God. Babylon, Edom, and Arabia were all nations that opposed God and His people. Their downfall serves as a clear warning to all who would oppose God and His will. This is a call to humility, obedience, and faithfulness to God.
Finally, these prophecies provide comfort to God’s people. They assure us that God is our protector and that He will judge those who oppose us. This is a message of hope, assuring us that no matter what trials we face, God is with us, and He will ultimately bring justice.
In conclusion, Isaiah 21 is a chapter filled with vivid imagery and powerful prophecies. It serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations, His judgment against those that oppose Him, and His protection of His people. It is a call to humility and obedience, a warning against pride and disobedience, and a message of hope and comfort to believers. As with all Scripture, it is as relevant today as it was when it was first written, reminding us of God's unchanging nature and His eternal reign over all creation.
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