Isaiah 13:1-22
Until we reach Isaiah 27:1-13 God speaks to us about His judgments on the nations. They are called "burdens". This word is significant. If the man of God, now as in earlier times, is compelled to declare the judgment to come, it is impossible that his heart should not be deeply burdened by that fact.
Historically nations contemporary with Isaiah are first of all involved here. And in this connection the different prophecies which we shall read successively have already been fulfilled to the letter. Accounts given by travellers confirm that up to the present time the site of Babylon is a desolate, dreaded place, where only wild beasts of the desert lie down (vv. 17-22). Nevertheless "no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation", in other words, is not explained in isolation or after the event by history (2 Peter 1:20). What we must always search for with the understanding given by the Holy Spirit is a link with the central, final thought of God, namely Christ and His future reign. There will be a prophetic Babylon: the false, apostate Church (see Revelation 17:5; Revelation 18:1-24). It will fall before the kingdom is established, for the joy of the saints, those who rejoice in the greatness of God (v. 3; Revelation 18:20; cf. Psalms 35:15; Psalms 35:26).