- Isaiah 21 (Contemporary English Version)
- This is a message about a desert beside the sea: Enemies from a hostile nation attack like a whirlwind from the Southern Desert.
- What a horrible vision was shown to me-- a vision of betrayal and destruction. Tell Elam and Media to surround and attack the Babylonians. The LORD has sworn to end the suffering they caused.
- I'm in terrible pain like a woman giving birth. I'm shocked and hurt so much that I can't hear or see.
- My head spins; I'm horrified! Early evening, my favorite time, has become a nightmare.
- In Babylon the high officials were having a feast. They were eating and drinking, when someone shouted, "Officers, take your places! Grab your shields."
- The LORD said to me, "Send guards to find out what's going on.
- When they see cavalry troops and columns of soldiers on donkeys and camels, tell them to be ready!"
- Then a guard said, "I have stood day and night on this watchtower, Lord.
- Now I see column after column of cavalry troops." Right away someone shouted, "Babylon has fallen! Every idol in the city lies broken on the ground."
- Then I said, "My people, you have suffered terribly, but I have a message for you from the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel."
- This is a message about Dumah: From the country of Seir, someone shouts to me, "Guard, how much longer before daylight?"
- From my guard post, I answered, "Morning will soon be here, but night will return. If you want to know more, come back later."
- This is a message for Arabs who live in the barren desert in the region of Dedan: You must order your caravans
- to bring water for those who are thirsty. You people of Tema must bring food for the hungry refugees.
- They are worn out and weary from being chased by enemies with swords and arrows.
- The Lord said to me: A year from now the glory of the people of Kedar will all come to an end, just as a worker's contract ends after a year.
- Only a few of their warriors will be left with bows and arrows. This is a promise that I, the LORD God of Israel, have made.
Isaiah in this chapter continues to gives oracles against the nations that are neighbors to Judah. Though these are prophecies concerning the fates of these nations, it is Judah that receives the prophecy and not those nations, so what might be Isaiah's purpose? It seems that Isaiah is delivering a message to Judah, rather than to these other nations, telling her that the only One on whom she can depend is God. All of these other nations will suffer a similar fate as will she. She cannot depend on them. If Judah is to avoid destruction at the hand of the Assryians, as Isaiah has already prophecied, she must turn to the only One who can save her, and that is the Lord God.
In this chapter, three more nations join Egypt, Cush, Syria, and Moab in the destructive path of Assyria. There is some question as to the reference in the first oracle of this chapter, but the other two are Edom and the Dedanites of Arabia. As for the first oracle and the identity of its recipient, most commentaries identify it as Babylon. Certainly the area referred to as "the desert by the sea" is in the area of Babylon. But some say no, this is not a reference to Babylon for Judah is intended to rejoice at her fall, and this is a message of fear to Judah. Therefore, those in this camp say it is a reference to the Chaldean prince, Marduk-apal-iddina, who was from this same region, and who revolted against Assyria. Judah's king Hezekiah thought this prince would break the strength of Assyria, so this oracle puts down that hope. Judah could not depend on deliverance at the hands of this prince. Regardless of the intended subject of the oracle, the point is the same. Judah could not place her reliance on this nation or any other. She must depend only on the Lord.
The message is also true for individuals. We cannot depend on our own resources or those of others to deliver us from difficulties. God is our only hope now and forever.
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