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The Rise and Fall of Empires in the OT

In this week's segment of Isaiah, 21:9, we read: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon, and all the images of her gods are smashed to the ground."  Babylon was not an international threat during the years of Isaiah's ministry.  So why is Babylon mentioned in this manner?  Some would say the answer is seen in Isaiah's foresight into the future when Babylon did become dominant.  Others would say, statements like this were written at a time Babylon posed a military threat to Judah, centuries after Isaiah's lifetime.  And some say this refers to when Judah's greatest threat, Assyria, defeated Babylon in 689.

Whatever the case may be, the Book of Isaiah does deal with international, political, and military realities, and furthermore, with such realities existent over a span of many centuries.  Our study and understanding of the Book of Isaiah can definitely be helped if we have a clear picture of this historical context with which the prophesy deals.   This article, then, will survey the various empires that came and went, but which also posed grave threat or significant intrigue to the people of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel and their existence as nations.

We begin our story of empire building with the nation which, while never engulfing Israel into an empire, vied with Israel for the control of the area in Northern Israel between the Mediterranean and the Jordan.  Aram clashed with David, Solomon, down to the time of Ahaz in Isaiah's time, never being successful.  Their existence as a nation ended in 732 when their neighbor nation, Assyria, under the leadership of Tiglath-pileser III, defeated them.

Assyria's original land lay in what is now northern Iraq.  Assyria's initial military relationship to Aram and to Israel was defensive in nature, particularly against Aram (934-824 BC).  As these two nations battled, both became weaker and Assyria was forced to retreat.  This benefited the Northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) (824-744 BC).  But then in the period of 744 to 625, beginning with Tiglath-pileser, Assyria's central government was strengthened and the army became stronger.  Now the objective became conquest and expansion.  The Northern kingdom revolted and Assyria punished them dearly for their disobedience through dismemberment and deportation.   Judah remained a vassal nation of Assyria but eventually did join other nations in revolt.  Sennecharib of Assyria marched down to Jerusalem (701 BC) but then retreated, probably because of illness in the army.  The assassination of Sennecharib in 627 BC, and subsequent internal revolts weakened Assyria to the point where she was easily conquered by the Chaldeans (610-609 BC).

Another nation with origins in Iraq is Babylon.   Under Nebuchadrezzar (609-562 BC) moved into Assyria and but moved also into the southern kingdom, laid siege to Jerusalem, destroyed the temple (586 BC), and sent the population off into exile.

Political intrigue and domestic unrest, however, plagued Babylonia.   This weakening opened the door to a new power, the Persians.   Their empire stretched from Greece to the west to India to the east. Their leader was Cyrus who in 538 BC allowed the Jews exiled in Babylonia to return to their homeland and also allowed the reconstruction of the Temple (522-486 BC).  This empire lasted until the conquests of Alexander the Great (c. 330 BC).

During these years, there were also threats from empires to the south which occupied much of Isaiah's attention, a large area called at different times by the names of Egypt or Ethiopia, depending upon which dynasty was in power there.  While never moving into Judah to extend its territory, it always was a threat and a concern to Isaiah when Egypt/Ethiopia pressured the Judean king to enter into an alliance.  Beginning about the time Isaiah's ministry began, Egypt began to strength and expand with the Nubian (Ethiopian) leadership of Piankhi (747-716), subjugating the Delta princes and lower Egypt. But by 671 Egypt's independence had come to an end as she came under Assyrian rule (cf. Is 20:4-5).

When the Pope is "enthroned," he hears the words, "Sic transit gloria mundi," spoken three times as a straw is burnt to remind him how this earthly glory will pass.  History shows that all earthly powers, however mighty, suffer the same limitation.  Only God's power is everlasting.   This was and is Isaiah's insight and message.

Text: Isaiah 20:1-21:17

1  In the year the general sent by Sargon, king of Assyria, fought against Ashdod and captured it,

2  the LORD gave a warning through Isaiah, the son of Amoz: Go and take off the sackcloth from your waist, and remove the sandals from your feet.  This he did, walking naked and barefoot.

3  Then the LORD said: Just as my servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and portent against Egypt and Ethiopia,

4  so shall the king of Assyria lead away captives from Egypt, and exiles from Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered (the shame of Egypt).

5  They shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Ethiopia, their hope, and because of Egypt, their boast.

6  The inhabitants of this coastland shall say on that day, "Look at our hope!  We have fled here for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria; where can we flee now?"

21:1  Oracle on the wastelands by the sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping in waves through the Negeb, there comes from the desert, from the fearful land,

2  A cruel sight, revealed to me: the traitor betrays, the despoiler spoils. "Go up, Elam; besiege, O Media; I will put an end to all groaning!"

3  Therefore my loins are filled with anguish, pangs have seized me like those of a woman in labor; I am too bewildered to hear, too dismayed to look.

4  My mind reels, shuddering assails me; My yearning for twilight has turned into dread.

5 They set the table, spread out the rugs; they eat, they drink. Rise up, O princes, oil the shield!

6  For thus says my Lord to me: Go, station a watchman, let him tell what he sees.

7  If he sees a chariot, a pair of horses, Someone riding an ass, someone riding a camel, Then let him pay heed, very close heed.

8  Then the watchman cried, "On the watchtower, O my Lord, I stand constantly by day; And I stay at my post through all the watches of the night.

9  Here he comes now: a single chariot, a pair of horses; He calls out and says, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon, And all the images of her gods are smashed to the ground.'"

10  O my people who have been threshed, beaten on my threshing floor!  What I have heard from the LORD of hosts, The God of Israel, I have announced to you.

11  Oracle on Edom: They call to me from Seir, "Watchman, how much longer the night? Watchman, how much longer the night?"

12  The watchman replies, "Morning has come, and again night. If you will ask, ask; come back again."

13  Oracle on Arabia: In the thicket in the nomad country spend the night, O caravans of Dedanites.

14  Meet the thirsty, bring them water; you who dwell in the land of Tema, greet the fugitives with bread.

15  They flee from the sword, from the whetted sword; From the taut bow, from the fury of battle.

16  For thus says the Lord to me: In another year, like those of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar shall come to an end.

17  Few of Kedar's stalwart archers shall remain, for the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

Isaiah 21:3 speaks of being filled with anguish, with pangs like those of a woman in labor, and with bewilderment.  This week's article shows a history which provided good reason for such feelings in the people.   What events in today's world do you see that can cause the same painful reaction?