“Satan’s arsenal consists of such things as fear, worry, doubt, and self-pity. Every one of these weapons robs us of peace and leaves us troubled inside. Do you want to discern where the enemy is coming against you? In the network of your relationships, wherever you do not have peace, you have war. Conversely, wherever you have victory, you have peace. When Satan hurls his darts against you, the more peace you have during adversity, the more truly you are walking in Christ’s victory” (Francis Frangipane). Isaiah 13-16 explains how God responds to political tyranny, economic depression and leadership crisis.
God Destroys Ungodly Plot and Humbles Pride
God commanded holy warriors from a far country who rejoiced in His triumph to carry out His wrath against Babylon and destroy the whole land. In the day of the Lord, every man’s heart melted with terror while pain and anger gripped them. They writhed like a woman in labor. The Lord made the land desolate, destroyed sinners, and darkened the stars, sun and moon. God punished the world for its evil and the wicked for their sins. He ended the arrogance of the proud and humbled the pride of the ruthless. The heavens trembled and the earth shook at God’s wrath and burning anger. Everyone returned to his native land like sheep without a shepherd. Their infants were dashed to pieces, houses looted and wives ravished (Is. 13:1-16). God destroys ungodly plots and humbles prideful people.
God Shortens Future of Wicked
God stirred up the Medes against Babylon even though they did not care for silver or gold. They struck down young men and showed no compassion on children. God overthrew Babylon like Sodom and Gomorrah. God shortened her days so only desert animals would inhabit Babylon through all generations (Is. 13:17-22). God shortens and halts the future of the wicked.
God Imparts Peace and Stops Bondage from Evil One
Because of compassion, the Lord chose Israel again to settle in their own land along with aliens. Israel possessed the nations and ruled over their oppressors. He gave them relief from suffering, turmoil and cruel bondage. He broke Babylon’s oppression and pomp so all nations could experience rest and peace. As the morning star, they fell from heaven and cast down to the earth. His heart said he would ascend to heaven, raise his throne above the stars of God, sit enthroned on the sacred mountain, and make himself like the Most High. He was thrust down into the pit of Sheol (Is. 14:1-15). God stops bondage from the evil one so you experience peace and rest.
God Removes Burdens and Provides Refuge
People pondered Babylon’s fate in overthrowing cities, but soon was not mentioned again like a rejected branch who could not inherit the land. The Lord Almighty cut off Babylon’s name and descendants. He turned her into a place for owls and swept her with the broom of destruction. God’s fulfills His purposes. He crushed Assyria and removed his yoke and burden from His people. No one thwarts God’s plan. He destroyed Philistia’s root with famine and killed his survivors. The most helpless ate and the needy lied down in safety. The Lord established Zion and His afflicted people found refuge (Is. 14:16-32). God removes burdens and provides refuge for the afflicted.
God Causes People to Lose Wealth and Their Lives Overnight
Moab was destroyed in a night. People went to its temple, high places, streets and public squares to weep and wear sackcloth. Moab’s armed men cried out with faint hearts. God’s heart cried out for Moab. Her fugitives left as far as Zoar and lamented their destruction. The waters of Nimrim dried up and the vegetation withered. They carried wealth they stored up over the Ravine of the Poplars. Dimon’s waters were full of blood with more coming upon those remaining in the land (Is. 15:1-9). God’s judgment causes people to lose wealth and their lives overnight.
God Seeks Justice and Speeds Cause of Righteousness
Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of Moab. The women were like fluttering birds pushed from the nest. Fugitives sought counsel and shelter from the destroyer. The oppressor came to an end and destruction ceased after the aggressor vanished from the land. In love a throne would be established and a man from the house of David who sought justice and prompt in the cause of righteousness would sit on it (Is. 16:1-5). Christ seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness by destroying wickedness.
God Laments Over Excessive Pride Causing Political, Economic and Leadership Crisis
We heard of Moab’s excessive pride, conceit and empty boasts. Therefore Moabites wailed together for Moab and grieved for the men of Kir-hareseth. The fields of Heshbon and vines of Sibmath withered. The rulers of the nations trampled down the choicest vines that once reached Jazer and went to the sea. The shouts of joy over their ripened fruit and harvest were stilled because no one treaded out wine in the presses. God’s heart and inmost being lamented for Moab and Kir-hareseth like a harp. Moab wore herself out praying with no results at her high place and shrine. Within three years, Moab’s splendor and her many people would be despised leaving a small, weak remnant (Is. 16:6-14). God laments over excessive pride causing political tyranny, economic depression and leadership crisis.
How God responds to political tyranny, economic depression and leadership crisis:
1. God destroys ungodly plots and humbles prideful people
2. God shortens and halts the future of the wicked
3. God stops bondage from the evil one so you experience peace and rest
4. God removes burdens and provides refuge for the afflicted
5. People lose wealth and their lives overnight during judgment
6. Christ seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness by destroying wickedness
7. God laments over excessive pride causing political tyranny, economic depression and leadership crisis
Pray for Christ speeding the cause of righteousness by destroying wickedness
