Isaiah 13:1-5: a reflection

1The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. 2Set up a banner on the bare mountain! Lift up your voice to them! Wave your hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3I have commanded my consecrated ones; yes, I have called my mighty men for my anger, even my proudly exulting ones. 4The noise of a multitude is in the mountains, as of a great people; the noise of an uproar of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! The LORD of Armies is mustering the army for the battle. 5They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

As Isaiah pronounces a burden against Babylon, he shows a striking picture of who is really in command of the gathering armies. The noise of a multitude is in the mountains, the noise of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together; but it is the LORD who is mustering them: The LORD of Armies is mustering the army for the battle. The nations gather, the armies assemble, empires move; but behind it all, the LORD is the one mustering, directing even the movements of nations and armies for his purposes. The rise and fall of empires, the gathering of armies, is under God's command, not beyond it.

Notice who is in command behind the movements of the nations: the LORD. To human eyes, it is kingdoms and armies gathering by their own will, empires rising and moving on the stage of history; but Isaiah shows the LORD mustering them, directing even these vast movements for his purposes. The nations do not move beyond God's sovereignty; their gatherings and battles, their rise and fall, are under his command. What looks like the self-willed movement of empires is, at a deeper level, the LORD accomplishing his purposes through them. God is sovereign over the nations, directing even armies and empires; history does not run beyond his command.

That is worth taking to heart, for God is sovereign over the nations, and their movements do not run beyond his command. We can watch the movements of nations, the rise and fall of powers, the gathering of forces in the world, and feel that history is out of control, running by its own will beyond any higher purpose; but Isaiah shows the LORD mustering even the armies of the nations, directing their movements for his purposes. The nations do not move beyond God's sovereignty. When the movements of nations and powers trouble you, do not think history is out of control; God is sovereign over the nations, directing even their movements for his purposes. Trust that God is sovereign over the nations, that their rise and fall and gathering do not run beyond his command but serve his purposes, as Isaiah showed the LORD mustering even the armies against Babylon; for the movements of empires are not beyond God's sovereignty, and he directs even the nations to accomplish his purposes in history.

Lord, as Isaiah pronounces a burden against Babylon, he shows a striking picture of who is really in command of the gathering armies. The noise of a multitude is in the mountains, the noise of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together; but it is you who are mustering them: the LORD of Armies is mustering the army for the battle. The nations gather, the armies assemble, empires move; but behind it all, you are the one mustering, directing even the movements of nations for your purposes. Show me who is in command behind the movements of the nations: you. To human eyes, it is kingdoms and armies gathering by their own will, empires rising and moving on the stage of history; but Isaiah shows you mustering them, directing even these vast movements for your purposes. The nations do not move beyond your sovereignty; their gatherings and battles, their rise and fall, are under your command. What looks like the self-willed movement of empires is, at a deeper level, you accomplishing your purposes through them. Take that to my heart, for you are sovereign over the nations, and their movements do not run beyond your command. I can watch the movements of nations, the rise and fall of powers, and feel that history is out of control, running by its own will beyond any higher purpose; but Isaiah shows you mustering even the armies of the nations. When the movements of nations and powers trouble me, keep me from thinking history is out of control; you are sovereign over the nations, Lord, directing even their movements for your purposes. Help me trust that their rise and fall do not run beyond your command but serve your purposes.