The Book Of Isaiah. Day 208, The Fall Of Babylon, Part Three

Today we conclude Chapter 47 which is a prophecy about the fall of Babylon.

The Lord is saying to that wicked nation: "Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror." (Isaiah 47:12) 

In yesterday's study the Lord talked about how cruelly the Babylonians treated His people when they conquered them and took them captive. In Isaiah's day this was still quite a way off in the future but the Lord talks about it as if it is happening now or has already happened. The Babylonians didn't think they could be defeated and He takes on a taunting tone when He says, "Perhaps you will cause terror," for Babylon's enemy will not be afraid of it at all. Neither is the Lord afraid of it and He will bring the judgment He has pronounced.

"All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you." (Isaiah 47:13) Earlier in the book of Isaiah the Lord talked about how Babylon's idols were burdens to them. The idols had to be carried about from place to place, unable to do anything good for anyone. The astrologers are the same way. They make prediction after prediction, month after month, but they are useless. Their predictions are meaningless and are likely made up of things the leaders want to hear.

"Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by." (Isaiah 47:14) There is no true comfort to be found in the astrologers' words. They can't help anyone, not even themselves.

"That is all they are to you---those you have dealt with and labored with since childhood. All of them go on in their error; there is not one that can save you." (Isaiah 47:15) The messages of astrologers have provided nothing but a false sense of security for the people who are supporting them and seeking them for advice. The only real security is in the Lord, but they have rejected Him and are worshiping false gods. When an enemy army pours into their capitol city, the false gods will be no help to them, though they have brought many offerings to them all their lives.