Paul used the clause, though in a pejorative sense, in 2 Timothy 3:7. “Ever learning ….”
But what the Apostle meant negatively … I find true in my life positively … when it comes to the study of Isaiah, that massive 66 Chapter Block of Scripture heading the Old Testament’s Major Prophets.
“Ever learning!”
Indeed, “ever learning.”
I must have really been quite “uninformed” concerning this astounding Section of my Bible. (Paul again … “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.”)
Yes, earlier this morning, as I prepared to write this “Isaiah 47” Lesson … I again “learned and learned and learned!”
I remembered how Isaiah railed against the wicked Kingdom of Babylon back in his 13th and 14 chapters! “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Isaiah 13:19) A Classic Jeremiad!
Then again in Isaiah chapter 21! “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.” Just verse 9, but crystal clear!
But I did not know that Isaiah 47 (our Chapter for today and tomorrow) would return to the theme of Babylon’s destruction!
Lines like: “Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.” And this is just verse 1, quite “to the point!”
Sounds like “doomsday” for Babylon. “Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man. As for our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.” Verses 3-4, where the “nudity” clauses describe how defeated captives (in ancient warfare) were stripped and marched long distances to some foreign land! Looks here like God Himself is the Attacker, Holy Aggressor!
But WHY this trauma, this tragedy against Babylon? Most often, when God judges … He makes the “charges” or “crimes” well known. Their atrocities were perpetrated against Israel! “I (God) was wroth with my people (the Jews), I have polluted (pierced) mine inheritance, and given them into thine (Babylon’s) hand: THOU DIDST SHEW THEM NO MERCY; upon the ancient (again, the Jews) THOU HAST VERY HEAVILY LAID THY YOKE. 7 And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.” Verses 6-7, note the emphases please, the capitalized lines.
Anti-Semitism to the core, hatred for God’s specially created people, the “apple of His Eye!” To all the world’s Jew haters, to this very moment … the Bible still warns: “He that toucheth you (Israel) toucheth the apple of his (God’s) eye.” Zechariah 2:8
Babylon DID NOT LAY THESE THINGS TO HEART! She DID NOT REMEMBER THE “LATTER END” OF JEW HATRED!
So Babylon, as of April 3, 2019, is no more!
And should she ever be (literally) rebuilt … she will yet again by the Power of God be destroyed!
Written to a Nation, which America (the United States) still is, though maybe “loosely so” nowadays … “Behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23, Babylon was the world-power of her day!
Psalm 9:17 sadly preaches here too. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the NATIONS that forget God.”
I have one more thing to say … with the second half of Isaiah 47 looming as tomorrow’s Lesson … “God bless the Jews!”
Read Genesis 12:1-3 when you have time.
Also … “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Modern day “Babylons” (more nations who passionately hate the State of Israel) are now preparing to decimate that little Country! They too, will meet “DEATH” at the Hand of God!
In a few weeks I am to preach at a “Jewish Conference” … for a Missions Ministry trying to bring these precious people to Jesus! Pray for these upcoming Services please.
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