Isaiah 13–23 Introduction: God Judges the Nations

God’s Challenge To The Nations

INTRO TO ISAIAH 13-23

Introduction

Chapters 13 to 23 stand apart from the rest of the book. Each section begins with the phrases “the oracle of” or, in some cases, “the burden of,” followed by the name of the relevant country. Sometimes, a symbolic name substitutes for the nation’s name.

These chapters are not a dry condemnation of one nation after another; rather, they embody character and emotion. At times, a theme emerges within these chapters. Isaiah is not a proud prophet but a sensitive man who weeps at the destruction of his enemies. God has a unique plan of destruction awaiting these nations and, at times, offers a word of hope or comfort, however small.

These messages brought hope during the darkest times. They continued to inspire faith in a fragile nation when God’s country was on the brink of disaster. As one reads them, a sense of confidence in God’s control emerges. Each section has its own background, but the chapters together remind us that every nation remains accountable to the righteous rule of God.

• Babylon (13 14:27);
• Philistia (14:28-14:32);
• Moab (15-16); Syria (17);
• Ethiopia (18).

• Egypt (19-20);
• Babylon (21:1-10);
• Edom (21:11-12);
• Arabia (21:13-17);
• Jerusalem (22);
• Tyre (23).

Chapters 13-18

In chapters 13-18 we first see God’s righteousness revealed in its deep severity known as judgment which is merely a natural outworking of His righteousness.

Although God seems not to be at all obligated to the world, we see mercy, another of God’s attributes infused in His treatment of the different nations. Assurance, protection and hope are brought into the otherwise very dismal situations.

Another nation, namely Judah, is given the choice to choose which it really wants: God’s severity or God’s mercy. His principle of righteousness actually is a most powerful force to reckon with.

Chapters 19-23

It is not wrong to move the spotlight from the theme of judgment to the reason of judgment. Each nation has its own story. Each has an account with God with a compounding deficit.

Understanding God’s righteousness is a mighty big step in the process of becoming wise and understanding ourselves. Of course, the theme of God’s righteousness is dominant, but these other themes are apt to give us a better chance with rightly coping with God’s righteousness.

Chapter 19 helps us to remember the limits of the world. Then we must deal with the problem that always comes up when dealing with God’s judgment, “What right does He have to judge us anyway?!”

Isaiah clearly points out just how blind we really are to our human nature, God’s person and life in general. The last section becomes a last warning for those who think they have their lives all worked out especially in the area of finances. The world will find itself on a collision path with God’s terrible judgment when he trusts not in God.