 |  |
The word `glory' in the title "Israel My glory" suggests the priestly nature of Israel's
calling. This same word is found in Isa. 13: 19, quoted above, where it is translated
`beauty', a further indication of the usurping character of all that Babylon stands for.
If Bel the god of Babylon `boweth down' (Isa. 46: 1) it must follow that the
worshippers of the god, must come down too. Consequently, it is in the very nature of
things that Isa. 47: should open with parallel words:
"Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon."
If in the preceding chapter there has been a repeated claim by the Lord, found in the
words "I am, and there is none else", we are not surprised to find still further evidence of
Babylonian usurpation in Isa. 47::
"Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I
am, and none else beside me" (47: 10).
Yet further. The reader will remember the continuous claim by the Lord to His power
of foretelling the future, and the challenge that is made with regard to this great fact in
connection with the idols of the nations:
"I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from
ancient times the things that are not yet done" (Isa. 46: 9, 10).
"Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen . . . . . or declare us things
for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are
gods . . . . . Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: and abomination is he
that chooseth you" (Isa. 41: 22-24).
So, in Isa. 47:, which deals with the utter failure of Babylon and Bel that Babylon
stands for, we read:
"Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein
thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit . . . . . thou art
wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the star gazers, the
monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon
thee" (47: 12-13).
The invasion of the Assyrian and the false corrupt teaching of Babylon constitute the
dark background of this prophecy of deliverance and restoration. Let us with this
preparation, consider the chapter that is before us.