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Summary

Isaiah 21:1–10 – Oracle Against Babylon

What happens: A harsh vision comes like a storm from the desert. Isaiah trembles as he sees tables set and watchmen posted while treachery advances. The watchman cries, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon,” and her idols lie shattered. God commands the people to hear what He has announced.

What it means: God brings down proud empires at the time He chooses. His judgment exposes false gods and protects His purpose for His people. Human strength collapses, but God’s word stands and proves true.

Isaiah 21:11–12 – Oracle Concerning Dumah

What happens: A voice calls to the watchman, “Watchman, what of the night?” The watchman answers that morning comes and also night. He invites the caller to return and ask again.

What it means: Times of darkness and light can alternate under God’s hand. Wisdom seeks God again and again because He alone knows the times. Hope waits on the Lord rather than on human timing.

Isaiah 21:13–17 – Oracle Concerning Arabia

What happens: Caravans hide in thickets, and refugees need water and bread. Within a year, Kedar’s warriors and glory collapse. Only a small remnant remains.

What it means: God numbers the days of nations and guards the weak who suffer in conflict. Pride fades quickly when God speaks, and survival depends on His mercy. He remembers refugees and calls His people to care for them.

Application

  • Trust God’s word when mighty powers look unshakable.
  • Keep seeking the Lord in dark seasons and in bright ones.
  • Serve refugees and the weary, reflecting God’s mercy to the vulnerable.

Bible

1The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

3Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

4My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

5Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

6For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

7And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:

8And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:

9And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

10O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

11The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

12The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

14The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

15For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

16For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:

17And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

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