Isaiah 13: Yahweh Judges the Noble City of Universal Evil -- 2019/10/01

Rev. David Reedy, pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Isaiah 13. “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger.” After the hopeful psalm of Isaiah 12, this chapter that follows takes an abrupt turn. The first twelve chapters fit together describing the time immediately before and after the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, focusing on Isaiah’s confrontation with Ahaz. This chapter however begins a new section of the book of Isaiah, one which takes a universal perspective. Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and each of the nations are judged in turn, events stretching centuries into the future. In this oracle against Babylon, we see how God turns brutality against itself. In order to rescue the weak and oppressed, those who show no mercy will be shown no mercy; they reap what they sow. No kingdom is invincible, save that of the Messiah, the one who rules over all kingdoms of the earth. In Him alone may we establish our confidence.