Isaiah 47 reminds me of the young lady that willingly falls for flattering lines and false promises, accepting deception in place of love. A meaningless pledge made and rescinded; the kind of passion that takes, but does not give back. The chapter begins, “Go down, sit in the dust, Virgin Daughter Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne… No more will you be called tender… take off your veil… bare your legs… Your nakedness will be exposed and your shame uncovered“. Here is the morning after. Isaiah is speaking to the nation of Babylon, the global power and Bell of the ball. She worshipped pagan gods, dancing with satanic partners, deluded into being used. She proudly strut her stuff and flaunted her rebellion, but God is not mocked. “I will take vengeance… Sit in silence, go into darkness… no more will you be called queen of kingdoms.” God allowed Babylon to discipline His People. But they enjoyed the power and cruelty too much, He “gave them into your hand, and you showed them no mercy“. “You said, ‘I am forever the eternal queen!’ But you did not consider… what might happen“. Have you considered what may happen if you continue to live with things that defile? Please understand that God judges both individuals and nations. Your actions affect yourself, and your family, and your neighborhood. Will you protect purity?
His rebuke continues, “listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security“. Too often we trade God’s unbreakable promise for momentary popularity. Babylon tries to convince herself the inferior relationship is not degrading, “there is none besides me… I will never be a widow or suffer the loss“. Isaiah explains to her, “You have trusted in your wickedness“, acting like “No one sees me“. One compromise leads to another and then convictions become blurred, “Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you“. The slippery slope of self-deception leads to foolishness and full rebellion. “Disaster will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away“. Mistakes don’t continue to repeat themselves; at some point they are by choice. Add together many bad decisions, and “A calamity will fall upon you“. You cannot buy yourself a reputation, “you cannot ward off with a ransom“. Have you been seduced by a lie?
The chapter ends as Isaiah sees the stained and tainted Babylon, now humiliated. His words are directed toward those accepting substitutes for God’s everlasting mercy. “Keep on, then, with your magic spells… Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror“. Positive self-talk does not replace humble confession before God. The folly of man’s wisdom always chases after trying to become worthy again, “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!“. He mocks, “Let… those stargazers who make predictions… let them save you“, noting, “They cannot even save themselves“. Many of the things that promise affection leave us huddled and empty. He says of the idols of disappointment “These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by“. Have you felt the sting of cold indifference? I only know one place that can restore us completely. The foot of the cross is the place where every sin is paid and every regret is wiped away. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Are you ready to be restored?