NOTES for Isa 47:1-15

Besides the history of God's chosen people, the Bible also touches upon the histories of other peoples, none of whom, apart from the Jews themselves, have survived to our day. One after another they were forced to “depart into darkness,” like the “daughter of the Chaldeans,” the Babylonian kingdom about which we read today. The prophet sees that behind the political and economic causes of the fall of kingdoms and peoples lie spiritual causes. They are the same as for individuals: ignorance of God, national pride, lack of mercy, external aggression, and fascination with occult religion. As a result, Babylon is left naked, hungry, and cold, incapable of continuing to exist. This approach can also show us what healthy patriotism is and what is leading our country and people toward Babylon's fate—to the pages of the archaeological journals of the future.