Isa 47:1 | KingComments | STEP | The previous chapter gives the judgment on the gods of Babylon. This chapter explains the judgment on Babylon itself. The LORD speaks directly to Babylon. He shows her how enormously she will be humiliated. Her pride will be humiliated down to the dust ( ). She who was first a queen and commander must now do the tiresome handiwork of a female slave. As a prisoner she will be forced to give up her modesty and wade through rivers ( ). All this humiliation Babylon has to blame herself for because of her cruel treatment of God’s people. The LORD avenges Himself to them and proves Himself as the Redeemer of His people ( ). As the “LORD of hosts” He has absolute authority. As “the Holy One of Israel” He indicates what the character of His people should be in their connection with Him. It also indicates the contrast with the unholy character of Babylon. Although the LORD speaks to Babylon here, the message is addressed to Israel, to those who have also fallen into the sin of idolatry. By seeing the end of the way of idolatry, Israel must learn to thoroughly condemn this evil in their own hearts. As often happens, the judgment is described in the past perfect tense, as if everything has already taken place. In the near future, the song of praise of will sound again from the mouth of Israel when the fall of Babylon is announced ( ). There, Babylon is the representation of professing Christianity of Europe, papacy, which first has power over the beast, the dictator of the restored Roman Empire, the united Europe, but then is destroyed by the beast ( ).

‏ Isaiah 47:1

The Judgment Announced

The previous chapter gives the judgment on the gods of Babylon. This chapter explains the judgment on Babylon itself. The LORD speaks directly to Babylon. He shows her how enormously she will be humiliated. Her pride will be humiliated down to the dust (Isa 47:1). She who was first a queen and commander must now do the tiresome handiwork of a female slave. As a prisoner she will be forced to give up her modesty and wade through rivers (Isa 47:2-3).

All this humiliation Babylon has to blame herself for because of her cruel treatment of God’s people. The LORD avenges Himself to them and proves Himself as the Redeemer of His people (Isa 47:4). As the “LORD of hosts” He has absolute authority. As “the Holy One of Israel” He indicates what the character of His people should be in their connection with Him. It also indicates the contrast with the unholy character of Babylon.

Although the LORD speaks to Babylon here, the message is addressed to Israel, to those who have also fallen into the sin of idolatry. By seeing the end of the way of idolatry, Israel must learn to thoroughly condemn this evil in their own hearts. As often happens, the judgment is described in the past perfect tense, as if everything has already taken place.

In the near future, the song of praise of Isa 47:4 will sound again from the mouth of Israel when the fall of Babylon is announced (Rev 19:1-3). There, Babylon is the representation of professing Christianity of Europe, papacy, which first has power over the beast, the dictator of the restored Roman Empire, the united Europe, but then is destroyed by the beast (Rev 17:3-4 ; 16).