What if What We Hope In Fails?

Babylon is more than an ancient nation in the Bible, it's a picture of the system of this world. They are driven to destroy and dominate people. They are motivated by their own glory and self-interest and they set themselves against God's people. 

Here's the hard thing to note about Babylon in Isaiah's time. The king of Israel would one day look to them to defend against Assyria - the dominant power of the day. Hezekiah will welcome emissaries and show them all the treasures of God's house. The king who should rely on God is relying on international diplomacy. It's a fool's errand. 

To show how foolish Israel will be in this regard, Isaiah uncovers the reality that Babylon is simply another nation under the judgment of God. And God gives Isaiah a good look at it. 

In Isaiah 21, Isaiah is instructed to set a watchman to look for it. 

Isaiah 21:6–9 (ESV) For thus the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees. 7 When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, let him listen diligently, very diligently.” 8 Then he who saw cried out: “Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights. 9 And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!” And he answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.”

It makes me think of what we might be considering our "Babylon" in whatever distress we might be in. The enemy comes at us and we turn to this to give us assurance we will not lose? Could it be drugs, an addiction, or a friend who doesn't love the Lord? 

What do we consider our "Babylon" who seems to be a help in one season but as Isreal will learn, also becomes a destructive reality in another season. 

The truth that we know about Babylon is in history is that she eventually dominated the nations, beating the Assyrians who so often kept her in check. Her dominion was impressive but it did not last. Eventually the Medes took over who were then crushed by the Persians, who were crushed by the Greeks, who were crushed by the Romans. 

One nation destroys another. So any nation that we trust in can only provide temporary (you don't know how long) peace. 

The hope of God's people is simple - He must be God above all nations or we will fall into the spell of the nations around us. Do you think America will last? Or China and Russia? These are all drops in the bucket of God's sovereignty. Instead of seeking help from the hand of man, seek the nearness of God. He is from everlasting to everlasting and no nation can undo what He has decreed.