The big picture of God’s sovereignty is displayed in today’s reading! Isaiah makes sweeping prophecies regarding some powerful nations. God is not overlooking any nation, including Israel.
By way of context, notice what the Bible says: “I, the Lord, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty. (Isaiah 13:11, NLT) No nation will get away with evil.
Isaiah now moves to address some nations specifically. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them…And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, Shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:17, 19, KJV) Of Assyria: The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; And as I have purposed, so shall it stand: That I will break the Assyrian in my land… (Isaiah 14:24–25, KJV) Of Moab: …But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years…the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude…(Isaiah 16:13–14, KJV) Of Damascus, Syria: …Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, And it shall be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1, KJV)
God is sovereign! No nation operates independently of God’s oversight and plan, and no nation gets away with its sin. I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations. (Isaiah 14:26, NLT) As believers, this should comfort us. There is no such thing as a nation going rogue! God is in control, working out all things according to His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:9–10). May we all humbly remember the following advice from David in Psalm 37:7–11.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Isaiah 13-17.