Wactchman, what do you see?
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
A watchman, what does he do?
Watches over the city.
Always watching for threats.
Raises the alarm
Reports what they see.
We appreciate our watchman, that's why we have news & journalists, that’s why “experts” are always being interviewed: “Will the market go up or down? Will interest rates remain on hold? How bad will this bush-fire be?”
Whole bunch of uncertainty in this chapter! Lets see if the Lord will shed some light and grant us understanding of these three Oracles.
Fallen, fallen is Babylon
Fallen, fallen is Babylon
The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the wilderness, from a terrible land. A stern vision is told to me; the traitor betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam; lay siege, O Media; all the sighing she has caused I bring to an end.
A vision sweeps in like a desert storm
Betrayal, destruction is coming!
When is this? Fits perfectly with Medo-persian empire.
Therefore my loins are filled with anguish; pangs have seized me, like the pangs of a woman in labor; I am bowed down so that I cannot hear; I am dismayed so that I cannot see. My heart staggers; horror has appalled me; the twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.
A heavy vision for Isaiah
Why is it so bad?
They prepare the table, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink. Arise, O princes; oil the shield! For thus the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees. When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, let him listen diligently, very diligently.”
“They” - Judah? Babylon?
Going about their business, daily life eating, keeping their defenses ready.
But there is anticipation of something coming.
the “master” says set a watchman to keep an eye on things.
Then he who saw cried out: “Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights. And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!” And he answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.”
He waits and waits and waits, but eventually he sees the messengers coming.
They announce the downfall of Babylon!
The mighty nation will fall! Here gods are thrown down she is destroyed!
Revelation would quote this twice!
In revelation Babylon is symbolic.
(FYI Modern day place where Babylon used to be is in Iraq, with a pallace built by Saddam Hussein)
Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
Babylon is the foil to Jerusalem.
two great cities. one holy, one unholy.
Two women, the Bride and the Prostitute.
And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”
Babylon is the world, it is the ideaology of whoredom.
Some nations now represent her. In the past is was Rome, today it is the USA. WHo knows who it will be next week.
BUT, Babylon will Fall! The pronouncement will be made!
O my threshed and winnowed one, what I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I announce to you.
Judah is like threshed and winnowed grain, cut down and trampled and beaten and “purified”
But Isaiah will not shrink back from giving the news.
In fact, this announcement of Babylon’s downfall will be an encouragement to the threshed people!
He must announce the news, God’s word must stand!
We must announce God’s word, whether it lands us in hot water or not. Whether we be under discipline of the Lord or not. What we have heard, we announce!
We announce that Babylon will fall!
Stillness in Dumah
Stillness in Dumah
Dumah, city in the desert. But Seir is mentioned, in Edom. Uncertainty.
Play on words, Dumah sounds like Silence or Stillness. Like at night!
This oracle takes place at night!
The oracle concerning Dumah. One is calling to me from Seir, “Watchman, what time of the night? Watchman, what time of the night?” The watchman says: “Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again.”
The watchman could tell you the time.
A desperate enqirer wants to know what night will come to an end
He answers with a non-answer: Morning is coming, but so is more darkness. Comfort but no Comfort.
Edom will see the light, but then more darkness again.
In the silent stillness of night a great morning came, and the Idumean (Herod) killed the light.
The light of Christ has shone, but if you turn away from him, there is only more nights.
Come back again!
You, like this enquirer may desperately desire to know, when will our social upheaval end? When will there be peace?
When will the tumult of my own life come to an end?
The Word answers, the light will come, and there may be another night. There will be more wars and rumours of wars. There will be good times and bad times. You will have times of plenty and times of little, yet if you would have understanding, come back and ask the watchman again. Come back to the Word of God!
As you consult the “watchman” you will gain understanding, you will see the coming threats, you will know the times.
Even so, even as you look out on coming threats and wonder at the time, pray for a quiet life:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Evening in Arabia
Evening in Arabia
Arabia, in Hebrew means desert, but also means “at evening”. Play on words, seen in the passage of people looking for lodging to pass the night:
The oracle concerning Arabia. In the thickets in Arabia you will lodge, O caravans of Dedanites. To the thirsty bring water; meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of Tema.
War refugees will meet the caravans looking for a place to rest. They’re looking for hospitality.
Where is this?
Why? They’re fleeing from battle:
For they have fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the press of battle.
Possibly refugees from Babylon’s downfall.
Arabia will be brought low.
When? Soon!
For thus the Lord said to me, “Within a year, according to the years of a hired worker, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end. And the remainder of the archers of the mighty men of the sons of Kedar will be few, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.”
God will reduce their army, within a year.
Some historical evidence for Sargon II completing this work
But it is always the LORD who accomplishes this.
You may get sick of hearing this, but I must keep reminding you: World events are under God’s hand!
When God speaks, stuff happens!
So What?
So What?
Where can we go from here? How can this obscure passage drive our faith?
Announce the news, Babylon will Fall.
Take comfort that the evils of this age will come to an end,
The LORD will bring into judgment all the wicked of the world, so take heart.
We are the representatives of God in this world, like Jonah we know that destruction is coming, and we have an imperative to tell people!
Even if they will not listen, we must announce the fall of Babylon under God’s judgement.
The gospel doesn’t make sense without Judgement, make sure you announce it.
The Lord does not promise smooth sailing this side of New Heavens & Earth.
There will be night and there will be day.
Observe the times, but Trust the Lord.
Keep coming back to the Word.
Pray for peace & quiet.
The LORD’s word stands, he speaks and things happen.
The Lord does bring social upheaval, times of crisis, destroying armies and nations.
Trust God, not government,
Trust God, not your own plans
Trust God, not your bank account and retirement plans.
Trust God, not the will of the people,
Trust God.
