Isaiah 13:6-16 – The approaching day of reckoning

Prophetical writings usually have both an immediate and ultimate fulfillment. What is described in Isaiah 13:6-16, though speak of the judgment that would soon befall Babylon, is also describing what would happen in the ultimate day of reckoning for the world. Like  the prophets Amos and Joel, Isaiah also refers to that day as “the Day of the Lord.” From the building of the Tower of Babel, Babylon seemed to represent the human construct that has the proclivity of defying God. And no one should expect God to remain passive and not respond to man’s defiance against Him. The Bible had made it clear that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. While Isaiah was here declaring what was coming against Babylon, he was also pointing to an ultimate cataclysmic end-time event that mankind would have to face in the day of reckoning.

In Isaiah 13:6, Isaiah declared that “the Day of the Lord” was near. He categorically declared that that day would come as “destruction from the Almighty.” While the terrible judgment was designated for Babylon, Isaiah made it unmistakably clear in verse 11 that the judgment to be meted out would also be upon the whole world. God’s judgment was inevitable because of the world’s evil, the iniquity of the wicked, the arrogance of the proud, and the haughtiness of the ruthless.  

A plain reading of these verses tells us how terrifying and dreadful the day of reckoning would be. Mankind would be greatly petrified. The whole earth would be left desolated and all sinners eradicated. Verse 1o tells us that even the sun, moon, and stars would be in upheaval. They would not be giving their usual light. Hence total darkness would engulf the whole land. The population would be drastically reduced, and men would be rarer than pure gold. Like terrified gazelle and sheep, people would scatter, finding no shelter and security. Children will be mercilessly killed before their parents’ eyes. Looting would be blatant, and women raped shamelessly. The description and the sordid details given, leave us with the idea of how massive the loss of lives would be in God’s fearsome dealing.  

 

Unlike our anger, God’s anger is motivated by His love. Here we have a warning not to take the love of God for granted. If we resist the wake-up call of God, the consequence will be unavoidable. Paul in Romans tells us it is time to wake up. Romans 13:11 says “…for it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now, salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Beloved, it is time to get up, clean up, and dress up! Let us be ready for the upward call of God!