“ God rules in the affairs of men to accomplish His will and nations are but tools in His hands to accomplish His purposes.”
That was the point we made in our last blog post. This lesson is emphasized in Isaiah 13-27 as the Lord promises judgment against Babylon, Assyria, Moab, Syria, Ethiopia (Cush), Egypt, Edom, Phoenicia (Tyre), and yes, even His own people, Judah.
It is significant that the Lord begins his judgment with Babylon. Historically, at the time of Isaiah, Babylon is not much of a threat. But she will become one and long after Isaiah himself is dead, when Babylon is a power to be reckoned with, readers will remember that Isaiah said that day was coming.
It is important to note that these nations are not judged because they failed to “keep the law,” that is, the law of Israel. They are not condemned for failing to be good Israelites. They are condemned for not recognizing God or His people. Babylon will be condemned because of pride. Her king said: “I will ascend into the heavens. I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will make my throne like that of the Most High (10:13-14). For his insolence and disrespect, God will destroy Him and His nation.
The King James Bible references “Lucifer” in 14:12 and points to his demise. Historically, Christians have used this text to talk about the fall of Satan. But the context has nothing to do with Satan at all – only with the king of Babylon.
Nations do not stand condemned because they are not “Christian.” They stand condemned because they fail to recognize and respect the Lord.