Isa 47:7 | KingComments | STEP | The king of Babylon has been called “king of kings” ( ; ), one who commands other kingdoms. But that will be over ( ). Babylon will go into darkness to hide herself because of the shame she has fallen prey to. This is her fate because she has exceeded her task, which is to serve in the hand of the LORD as a disciplinarian rod for His people ( ). In His anger God used Babylon to discipline His people. He even has His sanctuary profaned. But Babylon has had her own motives in the subjugation of Israel. Babylon will be judged by God because of her treatment of His people and His sanctuary ( ). This is also important for us when exercising discipline in the church. This should only be done in humility, in the awareness that the church members are no better than the one on whom discipline should be exercised. Otherwise God’s discipline will turn against us and His judgment will strike us. Babylon abused her power and showed no mercy to the aged. She has been particularly violent against God’s people, much harder than God wanted. There is no thought of God in her, but only self-centered thoughts ( ). There is also no thought of the finiteness of her task, but she appropriates everlasting authority. In the exercise of power man shows his true nature. On this only God’s judgment can come..

‏ Isaiah 47:7

Reason for Judgment

The king of Babylon has been called “king of kings” (Eze 26:7; Dan 2:37), one who commands other kingdoms. But that will be over (Isa 47:5). Babylon will go into darkness to hide herself because of the shame she has fallen prey to. This is her fate because she has exceeded her task, which is to serve in the hand of the LORD as a disciplinarian rod for His people (Isa 47:6). In His anger God used Babylon to discipline His people. He even has His sanctuary profaned. But Babylon has had her own motives in the subjugation of Israel. Babylon will be judged by God because of her treatment of His people and His sanctuary (Jer 50:28).

This is also important for us when exercising discipline in the church. This should only be done in humility, in the awareness that the church members are no better than the one on whom discipline should be exercised. Otherwise God’s discipline will turn against us and His judgment will strike us.

Babylon abused her power and showed no mercy to the aged. She has been particularly violent against God’s people, much harder than God wanted. There is no thought of God in her, but only self-centered thoughts (Isa 47:7). There is also no thought of the finiteness of her task, but she appropriates everlasting authority. In the exercise of power man shows his true nature. On this only God’s judgment can come..