THE DAY OF THE LORD

January 23 - Isaiah 12-17

Chapters 13-23 of Isaiah pronounce God’s judgment upon the nations. For the devotion today I fill focus on Isaiah 13 and God’s judgment upon Babylon, which is a symbol of pride, idolatry and human rebellion.

Isaiah 13 is prophecy concerning Babylon - a nation that God raised up as an instrument of wrath against Judah. It is important to note that Babylon wasn’t the dominant world power yet. The most powerful nation at that time was Assyria. God pointed to Babylon’s fall before Babylon rose to power. This emphasizes the sovereignty of God over the nations. I should also point to the fact that Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians in 536 BC under Cyrus. It was foretold in Isaiah 150 years before it happened. Isaiah 13:17 specifically names the Medes as God’s instrument. We should always remember that God even directs pagan nations to accomplish His will and carry out His plans (Daniel 5:21; Acts 17:26; Romans 13:1).

Isaiah 13:9 mentions “the day of the Lord.” The “day of the Lord” is both historical and future. There was a day when God judged ancient Babylon and there is a coming day when the world system, referred to as Babylon will be destroyed (Revelation 17-18). Isaiah 13 reminds us that the world is God’s stage, and all nations are accountable to Him.

We love to hear sermons about God’s love, mercy, and grace, and I love to preach those themes. But the Bible also warns about another reality: the coming judgment of God upon the earth called “the Day of the Lord.” This phrase appears throughout Scripture to warn of a divinely appointed time when God will directly intervene in human history to judge sin, bring justice, and establish His reign on earth Joel 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10). Why will God judge the world? Isaiah 13:11 gives a clear answer:

“I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible."

God will judge the nations for their pride, sin, and rebellion. The fact is, God is holy and He cannot ignore evil. Babylon is a symbol in Scripture of human arrogance and self-sufficiency. Justice demands judgment. If God never judged or held man accountable, He would not be just.

How should we live knowing that the Day of the Lord is coming? The apostle Paul gives the answer in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. No more spiritual laziness. No more casual Christianity. If judgment is real, then evangelism is urgent.

• Babylon fell - just like God said. • Christ came - just like God said. • The Day of the Lord is coming - just like God has said.

Are you ready?