I've been continuing to read in Isaiah, chapters 19-23 and, at first, it was somewhat wearisome reading, really. In fact, the reason I didn't publish a post on Saturday morning was that I got so bogged down in it, I nearly sank. Wail here! Danger ahead! Attack! Buttocks! (I kid you not.)
Chapter 19 concerns the fate of the country of Egypt.
26 centuries ago, Babylon defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish, in their inexorable conquering of the large area which eventually became the Babylonian Empire. (This was also prophesied in Ezekiel 29.) The importance of this battle is that it marked the end of Egyptian dominance in the area. Nebuchadnezzar plundered the area, took bounty and arranged for Egypt to pay tribute to him. Closely followed by the establishment of the Babylonian Empire, there was a terrible famine in Egypt, where the Nile River did indeed dry up for a time. (see verses 5-10). Although a Pharaoh (Apries) was still on the throne in Egypt, a civil war broke out there. Eventually, the Egyptians were totally subdued by the Persians (who followed the Babylonians). So, there was a fulfillment of Isaiah 19:1-15.
Some believe that there is also a futuristic aspect to Isaiah 19 - - - that Egypt will be overtaken by a merciless dictator again, in the future. Still others believe that Isaiah 19 and 20 go together and that they prophetically predict hard times ahead for America. (I don't agree that these chapters are meant as a future prophecy for America.)
Chapter 20 finds Isaiah "showing his butt", literally. Somehow, I never knew that God called Isaiah to do this, over a period of 3 years, as an object lesson of how God was going to "expose" Egypt to mockery and jeers. Astoundingly, that particular part of Isaiah's life has never made it into any sermon I've ever heard. But, there it is, laid "bare" for all to see. Yes, I did intend that pun. Goodness gracious! The things you find in the Bible!
Elam, Media Babylon, Arabia and Edom figure prominently in chapter 21. "Those who betrayed and plundered will get a taste of their own medicine" is the theme.
In chapter 22, a "valley of vision" is mentioned. This refers to Jerusalem, and Isaiah is mourning the judgment that will befall that city. The judgment came in the form of an attack by King Sennacherib of Assyria, after King Hezekiah of Judah had listened to some unwise advisors who suggested he subject himself to Sennacherib and pay tribute.
One of those advisors, Shebna, is prophesied in verses 15-25 to be deposed. (He is the only individual subject of prophecy in the book of Isaiah.) Shebna was the CHO (Chief Household Officer) of Hezekiah's palace. Due to his pride and folly (and probably his bad advice), he did end up being removed and replaced with Eliakim. The imagery that Isaiah uses in verses 16-19 is quite picturesque. Listen to it from The Message version:
"God is about to sack you, to throw you to the dogs.
He'll grab you by the hair, swing you round and round dizzyingly,
and then let you go, sailing through the air like a ball, until you are out of sight."
Not a fun day. Humility is a mark of godliness.
Chapter 23 is a prophecy against two cities of Phoenicia, Tyre and Sidon, "sister cities". Both seacoast towns, they were powerful and wealthy, trading with ships from all over the known world. But, Isaiah foretold their downfall. The first time Tyre was conquered was about 100 years after Isaiah spoke the Lord's judgement against the city. This was by Nebuchadnezzar in 600 BC. (This destruction was elaborately described in Ezekiel 26.) At that time, Tyre was a seacoast town. But, after that destruction, Tyre was rebuilt on a nearby island. Then, it was destroyed again by Alexander the Great, in 330 BC. This second destruction was predicted by Zechariah, in 515 BC. (See Zechariah 9:3-4.) The site today is a peninsula, where fishermen dry their nets. This was predicted in Ezekiel 26:5.
Verse 9 of Isaiah 23 is a treasure. Amidst all the stomping and conquering and collapsing and mucking about, one is left to wonder, "Why is all of this in the Bible?" I don't know if you've wondered that, but believe me, slogging through these chapters today, I've wondered that! The answer is in verse 9. God ordained it, decreed it, prescribed it. Here's The Message version:
"God-of-the-Angel-Armies ordered the crash
to show the sordid backside of pride
and puncture the inflated reputations."
We looked a few days ago at how Damascus, the oldest continuously occupied city in the world, will be destroyed near the "end of days". The origins of the city of Tyre are not recorded. It was well over 1000 years old. Yet, in verse 12 of Isaiah 23, we read that Sidon was even older! (There Tyre is called "daughter of Sidon".)
No city, no country, no church, no angel, no demon, no woman or man who sets him or herself up in pride against the God-of-Angel-Armies, the LORD of Hosts, can prevail. He will show Himself mighty. He IS in control. As Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:17 - -
"... the Most High rules in the affairs of men ..."
Proverbs 16:33 says,
"We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall." (NLT)
My Heavenly Father, You are the Lord of Hosts, the God-of-Angel-Armies! It is so easy for me to look at the example of these cities and countries and still wallow in my own pride. It is so hard for me to acknowledge Your Sovereignty in my affairs. Help me to be submissive to You, in the easy ways and also in the horrible struggles, the battles that break my heart ... and Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.
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