Isaiah 47

15 verses

TL;DR

Isaiah 47 delivers a prophetic condemnation of Babylon’s pride, magic, and impending judgment, depicting its downfall as inevitable divine retribution.

Summary

The chapter opens with a call for Babylon to sit in dust, highlighting its loss of sovereignty and the end of its royal splendor. It urges the city to acknowledge its powerlessness and to confront the destruction that will come from the Lord, the Lord of hosts. The text condemns Babylon’s reliance on enchantments, sorcery, and astrologers, warning that these will lead to ruin. It portrays the city's arrogance—declaring itself eternal—while neglecting its eventual decline. The prophecy emphasizes that the judgment will be swift and devastating, leaving no room for escape. Ultimately, the Lord’s judgment serves as a warning to all who rely on worldly power rather than faith in God.

Outline

1. Babylon’s decline and loss of sovereignty
2. Accusations of arrogance and reliance on magic
3. Impending judgment and its swift, destructive nature

Themes

Pride and its downfallJudgment of idolatryDivine sovereignty over nations

Keywords

BabylonenchantmentssorceryastrologypridejudgmentLord of hostsdesolation

People

The LORD (Lord of hosts)our redeemer

Places

Babylon

Things

millstonesenchantmentssorceriesastrologersfire

Key Verses

Isaiah 47:1: Introduces Babylon’s humiliation and the loss of its throne.
Isaiah 47:3: Highlights the exposure of Babylon’s nakedness and the certainty of vengeance.
Isaiah 47:10: Denounces Babylon’s arrogance and foretells the coming of evil.

Questions

Why does the Lord choose to judge Babylon in this manner?
What does Babylon’s reliance on enchantments reveal about its leadership?
How does the prophecy warn contemporary societies against arrogance?
In what ways does the theme of divine sovereignty manifest in the text?
What lessons can believers draw from the judgment of Babylon?

Sentiment

negative
The passage conveys prophetic condemnation, divine judgment, and a warning against pride.