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Overview

In Isaiah 47, Babylon takes center stage. YHWH makes it clear to this pagan nation that He is the only God in the world and they will be humbled. Around 100 years from when the book of Isaiah was written, Babylon will rise in power and take the southern kingdom into captivity. YHWH uses Babylon on His divine chess board to accomplish His plans. Judah will be judged for their rebellion. Yet, in the end, Babylon will be brought to their knees. 

Isaiah 47:1-4

Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name—is the Holy One of Israel.

Without question, this is some strong, pretty disturbing language. Babylon is represented by a sensuous woman. This “woman” shows up again in the book of Revelation. Here in Isaiah 47 she will be humbled and disgraced. Scholars differ on the meaning of “disgrace” and how much sexual content to infer, but either way, the woman, who represents Babylon, will be brought low. 

Babylon, in a thematic way, represents all the pagan nations of the world. Someday they will be humbled. Someday they will fall. Only the kingdom of God will last forever. 

Isaiah 47:8-9

Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children”: These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments.

Pleasure. It drives bent humanity. Here is Isaiah 47, pleasure is exalted and exercised in the woman of Babylon. Notice how the woman thinks she is God. She thinks she can control her life, her destiny. But YHWH reminds her these judgments will come in full measure. Even if sorceries and enchantments were real (maybe they were—by the power of the Evil one), they can do nothing to stop God. As Grudem says, “Sin is irrational”. Sin makes the woman think irrationally. To believe in a false reality. To use the words of the apostle Paul—to exchange the truth of God for a lie. 

How often do you and I think and act like this woman? More than we care to admit, I gather. 

Isaiah 47:14-15

Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you.

These verses are haunting. People trying to deliver themselves, but in the end—they are consumed. Can you feel the hopelessness? Look again at the words of verse 15, “Each to his own direction; there is no one to save you.” 

No one can save you. The words of God are true. No human, no false god, no sorcery, no enchantment can save you. But there is One who can. His name is Jesus. He can save you. No matter how bleak, how wicked, how evil the deeds you have done—if you repent and turn to Jesus—He will set you free! 

That amazing truth deserves an “Amen!”