Introduction
The nation to be judged ch. 47
This section of Isaiah on "The Lord’s redemption of His servant [Israel]" (Isaiah 44:23 to Isaiah 47:15) has so far included: an announcement of redemption (Isaiah 44:23-28), the identification of the instrument of redemption-Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-13), and a reminder of the uniqueness of the God of redemption (Isaiah 45:14 to Isaiah 46:13). It now concludes, by depicting Babylon-the nation from which the Lord would redeem His people from captivity-as a proud woman full of self-confidence. In her case, as in so many others, pride goes before a fall. This section is another oracle against a foreign nation (cf. chs. 13-23; Jeremiah 46-51; Ezekiel 25-31) and an oracle of salvation for Zion (cf. Isaiah 45:14 to Isaiah 46:13). The main point of this chapter is not primarily to predict Babylon’s fall, however, but to glorify the power and grace of Yahweh, using the destruction of Babylon as a backdrop.
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