The Test

Isaiah 21

The prophet Isaiah takes nine verses before we understand the Babylonia Empire is where the judgment is directed.  The time line is not clear in that Babylon is defeated three times by the Assyrian army, in 710, 700, 689 B.C. and by the Persians in 539 B.C.   Judea seems to look for an ally in strong nations and not in God; first, it was Egypt and Cush, then Babylon, and God keeps reminding them He is the only real protector.

The metaphor of a “woman in labor” is often used in Scripture as it was in Micah 4:9-10 and in Isaiah 21:3, to show Judea the pain and suffering which falls on the object of God’s wrath.  From what I’ve read, the oil of the shields came before battle, but it seems the Babylonians were having a feast and may not have prepared for the coming battle.  Isaiah is told by the Lord to set a watchman and his job is to report what happens, and must be at the city of the one attacking, for he is looking to see if they come back in victory or defeat.  The watchman report that Babylon has fallen, but the battle is about those little gods the Babylonians have put their trust in, gods like military power, their weapons, the size of their army; it is those gods that anger our God.  You and I should always watch our heart to see in whom and where we put our faith.

Babylonian gods were under judgment, and so are any gods we run to like our family, our portfolio, our jobs or career, our nation and its military, and the list keeps going, for many, it’s the god of self.  God’s people were trusting in those little gods of the Babylonians and when they were removed it was crushing.  Isaiah made it clear to the chosen people of God that the destruction of Babylon came from none other than God Himself.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, we are given this council; “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”  I’ve always been a poor test taker, in fact to this day the word “test” brings fear; what is the subject matter, do I understand the material, and can I take the pressure?  This important “test” is not about faith in faith, but the object of your faith, it is a simple one question test, who or what is the object of your faith?  It is easy to con yourself when taking the test, so take your time, look at what you are investing in, whom your counting on, and what you find gratification in doing, and this will give you some clue to the correct answer to the question asked above.   

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice