Isaiah 13-23
One of the grandest cities of blden times was Babylon, several hundred miles east of Jerusalem; its walls were wide and high, with forts and towers; it had great palaces, with much g6ld, id beautiful gardens. The kings were proud, cruel men bowing to idols, as did the people. God told Isaiah to write that Babylon would be destroyed.
“It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in.” It would be so ruined that even a wandering Arab would not care to pitch his tent, or shepherds lead their flocks there (Isa. 13:19-22).
It was many years before those words were fulfilled, but at last the great city was entirely destroyed by armies, left in heaps of brick and stone, its beauty gone. Men have dug among the ruins, but have never rebuilt the city; it has been deserted, only wild animals, “owls and doleful creatures living among the ruins, as God told Isaiah.
Another strong city was Damascus, which God said should be a “ruinous heap”; but it was not said to stay in ruins. Not long after an enemy conquered that city and carried away the people; but later it was rebuilt, and although often in war, is still a city, one much spoken of now. (Isa. 17:1).
When Isaiah lived, Tyre was an important seaport northwest of Jerusalem, partly built on an island near the shore, where ships came from other lands; the rich merchants were very proud of their city and wealth. Isaiah was told Tyre also should be “laid waste” (Isa. 23:1): those words came true some years after, when soldiers broke down its walls and spoiled its harbor, so ships went to other ports; Tyre is now a small place and only small boats come there.
The words God told Isaiah about these cities, and others are called, “burdens”, for they were not pleasant to tell or to hear and Isaiah dressed in sackcloth (a coarse rough cloth) to show the people sorrow.
God was always ready to bless any who would believe His words, and very patient to warn all, but the people became more and more sinful in their ways and in the worship of idols, or the sun, or animals, even of serpents, refusing to think of God.
There is an evil one urging those who do not believe God, to sin against Him; Isaiah was told of this evil one, and of his end; he never does good to people, but would make them his “prisoners”. In other parts of the Bible this evil one is called Satan (Isa, 14:12-17).
Who went, many years after Isaiah died, to the coast of Tyre? (Matt. 15:21).
What man from Damascus was healed of leprosy? 2 Kings 5:11-14.
Into what city was Saul (afterward called Paul) led? (Acts 9:8; 13:9).
What did a great king of Babylon say should be done to any who did not bow down to the big gold image he had made? Daniel 3:5,6.
ML 11/16/1941