Isa 13:3 | KingComments | STEP | The prophecy begins with a triple call or command. On “the bare hill”, that is a mountain without afforestation, that is without anything that obstructs sight, first a sign, “a standard” as a symbol of battle, must be lifted up so that it is clearly visible ( ). The standard is followed, secondly, by a cry, “raise your voice,” and, thirdly, by a gesture, “wave the hand,” in order to call God’s armies to action. The call is meant to put the armies in a state of readiness. The waving of the hand is the sign to let them go up to enter the gates of Babylon. These gates still contain the nobles who form the city government, but it’s time for the conquerors to take over power. There is no mention of any opposition. Babylon was also taken without opposition. The command goes out from the LORD – “I”, with emphasis ( ). The Medes ( ) and Persians are called to fulfill their task. They have been chosen by God to put an end to the reign of Babylon. That is why God calls them “My consecrated ones”, for they have been set apart by Him for that purpose and with that mission. It has nothing to do with the persons themselves, that they should be holy in character. God also calls them “My mighty warriors”. He makes them invincible warriors, for they must execute His anger. The armies of the Medes and the Persians “exultingly” fulfill their mission. They feel like it because the Majesty of God urges them. The fact that the LORD Himself gives personal command to destroy Babylon is an indication that in the future He will personally, and then without human instruments, destroy the restored Roman Empire ( ). The single sound of the voice that commands, the voice of the LORD, is replaced by a “sound of tumult on the mountains” ( ). It is the tumult “of many people”, the armies which the LORD has consecrated to do His work. The armies of the Medes and Persians come from far and wide as “His instruments of indignation, to destroy the whole land” [that is the Babylonian world empire] ( ). Their cheering in the execution of this work does not mean that they are aware that they are executing God’s commission or cooperating with God’s plan with consent. In the same way, Titus and the Romans do not know that they as an army of “the king,” are executing the judgment on Jerusalem that the Lord Jesus speaks of in His parable ( ). It is about the downfall of the land of Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51). Babylon is what we know today as southern Iraq to Baghdad. Assyria is what we know today as northern Iraq north of Baghdad to Pakistan. Media is further to Iran, today’s Kurdistan. Abraham comes from the land of the Chaldeans or Babylon ( ; ). He has converted to the true God. His descendants are brought back to Babylon in exile because Israel has fallen away from the true God. They end up in the land where their ancestor comes from and there they have served the idols of Babylon. The time of the world domination of Babylon lasts seventy years ( ). Prophetically, this section about Babylon is a shadow of the future judgment on the restored Roman Empire or the future united states of Europe led by a man called ‘the beast’ ( ). Then the Lord Jesus Himself, in person, will come “from a distant land, from the farthest horizons [literally: from the end of heaven]”, with the heavenly armies to execute judgment on Babylon ( ).

‏ Isaiah 13:3

Tools of God’s Anger

The prophecy begins with a triple call or command. On “the bare hill”, that is a mountain without afforestation, that is without anything that obstructs sight, first a sign, “a standard” as a symbol of battle, must be lifted up so that it is clearly visible (Isa 13:2). The standard is followed, secondly, by a cry, “raise your voice,” and, thirdly, by a gesture, “wave the hand,” in order to call God’s armies to action. The call is meant to put the armies in a state of readiness.

The waving of the hand is the sign to let them go up to enter the gates of Babylon. These gates still contain the nobles who form the city government, but it’s time for the conquerors to take over power. There is no mention of any opposition. Babylon was also taken without opposition.

The command goes out from the LORD – “I”, with emphasis (Isa 13:3). The Medes (Isa 13:17) and Persians are called to fulfill their task. They have been chosen by God to put an end to the reign of Babylon. That is why God calls them “My consecrated ones”, for they have been set apart by Him for that purpose and with that mission. It has nothing to do with the persons themselves, that they should be holy in character.

God also calls them “My mighty warriors”. He makes them invincible warriors, for they must execute His anger. The armies of the Medes and the Persians “exultingly” fulfill their mission. They feel like it because the Majesty of God urges them. The fact that the LORD Himself gives personal command to destroy Babylon is an indication that in the future He will personally, and then without human instruments, destroy the restored Roman Empire (Dan 2:45).

The single sound of the voice that commands, the voice of the LORD, is replaced by a “sound of tumult on the mountains” (Isa 13:4). It is the tumult “of many people”, the armies which the LORD has consecrated to do His work. The armies of the Medes and Persians come from far and wide as “His instruments of indignation, to destroy the whole land” [that is the Babylonian world empire] (Isa 13:5).

Their cheering in the execution of this work does not mean that they are aware that they are executing God’s commission or cooperating with God’s plan with consent. In the same way, Titus and the Romans do not know that they as an army of “the king,” are executing the judgment on Jerusalem that the Lord Jesus speaks of in His parable (Mt 22:7).

It is about the downfall of the land of Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51). Babylon is what we know today as southern Iraq to Baghdad. Assyria is what we know today as northern Iraq north of Baghdad to Pakistan. Media is further to Iran, today’s Kurdistan.

Abraham comes from the land of the Chaldeans or Babylon (Gen 15:7; Acts 7:2-4). He has converted to the true God. His descendants are brought back to Babylon in exile because Israel has fallen away from the true God. They end up in the land where their ancestor comes from and there they have served the idols of Babylon. The time of the world domination of Babylon lasts seventy years (Jer 25:11).

Prophetically, this section about Babylon is a shadow of the future judgment on the restored Roman Empire or the future united states of Europe led by a man called ‘the beast’ (Rev 13:1-10). Then the Lord Jesus Himself, in person, will come “from a distant land, from the farthest horizons [literally: from the end of heaven]”, with the heavenly armies to execute judgment on Babylon (Rev 19:11-21).