The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:2-5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The kingdom of God.

These stirring, eloquent words of the prophet describing the gathering of the hosts at the summons of Jehovah speak to us of—

I. THE EXCEEDING BREADTH OF THE DIVINE CLAIM. All things, all nations, are Jehovah's; all these hosts that are to be gathered together are "my sanctified ones;" they are "my mighty ones." They did not know him, but, notwithstanding, God claims them as belonging to himself. He does claim all nations and peoples as his own; not only those who own their allegiance, but those also who are ignorant of his Name, and are worshippers at other shrines.

II. THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE DIVINE PURPOSE. God has his purposes

III. THE GREATNESS OF DIVINE POWER.

1. We understand that God has unlimited power over unresisting, inert matter.

2. We have a larger view of his omnipotence when we realize that he controls all sentient life, making every living creature to praise and serve him.

3. Our thought rises far higher as we consider how he is directing the activities of his obedient children, his voluntary servants, in all worlds.

4. We reach the largest and loftiest conception of Divine wisdom and power, in marvelous cooperation, when we dwell on his overruling energy. Jehovah so turns the selfish and ungodly projects of kings and armies to his own Divine account, that he can speak of Medes and Persians as "his sanctified ones," or as those set apart by him for this especial work; that he can represent them as "rejoicing in his highness" when they were eagerly bent on their own purposes; that he can designate them "the weapons of his indignation."

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 13:1-5The threatenings of God's word press heavily upon the wicked, and are a sore burden, too heavy for them to bear. The persons brought together to lay Babylon waste, are called God's sanctified or appointed ones; designed…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Doom of Babylon. (b. c. 739.)THE DOOM OF BABYLON. (B. C. 739.) The general title of this book was, The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, Isaiah 1:1. Here we have that which Isaiah saw, which was represented to his mind as clearly and fully as if he…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:1-22Oracle concerning Babylon. I. APPROACH OF THE WARRIORS OF JEHOVAH. On the bare mountain the banner is upraised, and with loud cry and commanding gesture of the hand a host of warriors is summoned from all sides. As in v…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:1-22EXPOSITION THE BURDEN OF BABYLON. The series of prophecies which commences with this chapter and continues to the close of Isaiah 23:1-18; is connected together by the word massa, burden. It has been argued that the ter…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:1-18The fall of Babylon a type of the general punishment of the wicked. Scripture deals with history altogether in the way of example. Whether the subject be Assyria, or Syria, or Egypt, or Babylon, or even the "peculiar pe…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:2Lift ye up a banner; rather, a standard—"an ensign," as in Isaiah 5:26 : Isaiah 11:12. "Ensigns" were used both by the Assyrians and the Egyptians. "Banners," or flags, do not seem to have been employed in the ancient w…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:3The Lord's sanctified ones. This term is used of an army, regarded as being consecrated by the sacrifices which were offered at the beginning of the campaign. The assertion made by the prophet is that the Persian army w…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 13:3I have commanded my sanctified ones. The pronoun "I" is emphatic—"I myself." Not only will an external summons go forth, but God will lay his own orders on them whom he chooses for his instruments, and bid them come to…Joseph S. Exell and contributors