Isaiah 13 reminds me of a seminar I attended recently about fraud prevention. The speaker was a state auditor that used case studies to help administrators identify possible weakness in their internal processes. In almost every example given, the thief claimed they had not stolen money, but merely borrowed it and planned to repay the amount. Most of the time the initial theft was very small, but the fact that no one noticed emboldened them. Most often the amount and frequency of “borrowing” grew until the total was an enormous sum impossible to repay. This is what happens with sin in our life. We yield to a temptation and no alarms go off, no lightning bolts strike us and we begin to assume God is ok with it. The most hideous human you can think of most likely started with a timid first step borrowing on God’s patience. In today’s chapter Isaiah speaks, “A prophecy against Babylon“. It is important to note that at the time Babylon was not yet a world super-power. Remember, God began His audit with His people, the nation of Israel and the judgment was issued in the previous chapter. Now God speaks to the next target, “I have commanded those I prepared for battle… My warriors to carry out My wrath those who rejoice in My triumph“. As we learn of the horrors committed by the Babylonians, we cheer God for dealing with the bad guys, but be warned that the chapter clearly points to an investigation of our department too.
Isaiah continues his interoffice memo, “Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude…The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war. They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens the LORD and the weapons of his wrath“. These are not accountants, but the armies of man and the armies of God. Isaiah adds this note for those of us with our hand in the till, “Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty“. Isaiah says, in that day “all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear… Terror will seize them… They will look aghast at each other“. Isaiah is talking to all of us that believe we will repay God for our trespasses. “See, the day of the LORD is coming“. Friend, your balance due is far beyond your ability to pay.
There is no amnesty, there are no state’s witnesses, and there are none without guilt. “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins… I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless… the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger“. Isaiah speaks to Babylon, “Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd… Whoever is captured will be thrust through… Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes… I will stir up against them the Medes… Their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy“. You might say, “I thought God is Love”, but the Bible teaches God is perfect in righteousness. Isaiah concludes, “The Babylonians will be overthrown by God… She will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations“. Ancient Babylon was so destroyed that today there is debate about where it actually was. Romans 2:3 asks, “Do you think you will escape God’s judgment?“. God’s patience is extended that we might seek repentance. Romans 5:8 explains that our debt was paid in full on the cross, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us“. Don’t let anyone defraud you, the only way to escape judgment is through faith in Christ.