Isaiah 13-24

Bible study with Terry Gray


Isaiah 13-24
These chapters describe God's judgments against hostile nations surrounding Israel at the time of Isaiah around 740 BC.


740 BC
The Assyrian empire was the power to beat. They were located in what is today northern Iraq, which is northeast of Israel. They came southeast to Israel, conquering neighboring nations along the way. Judgments pronounced in Isaiah 13 were fulfilled by the Assyrian Empire.


TO BABYLON: Isaiah 13:1-14:23; 21:1-10
Babylon would be and was judged by the Medo-Persian empire. What was once the greatest city in the world is now laying in waste today.


TO ASSYRIA: Isaiah14:24-26
100 years after Isaiah wrote this prophecy, it was fulfilled. 


TO PHILISTIA: Isaiah 14:28-32
Philistia is southeast of Israel and includes some of today's Gaza Strip. Goliath was from Philistia.


The Philistines rejoiced whenever there is trouble in Israel. They make constant trouble for Israel. Philistia was indeed destroyed by famine and smoke (aka, the Assyrian Empire) (Isaiah 14:30-31).


Palestine is the Latin word for Philistia.


TO MOAB: Isaiah 15-16
Moab is east of Israel, in present day Jordan. The Moabites came from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters. Moabites were hostile toward Israelites, although they tried to maintain a better relationship with the Israelites for the sake of Lot.


Not all Moabites were bad: Ruth was a Moabite.


Isaiah 16:14
As predicted by Isaiah, 3 years after this prophecy was given, Moab was destroyed by the Assyrians.


TO SYRIA: Isaiah 17
Syria was represented by Damascus. Syria is northeast of Israel, where modern day Syria is. It had teamed up with the Assyrians to go against Judah.


Isaiah 17:1-4
Damascus was destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC


Isaiah 17:1-3
Damascus still stands today. In fact, it was beat up pretty bad by the Assyrians, but it was rebuilt. Paul even traveled to Damascus during His mission (Acts 9).


Therefore, this prophecy has yet been completely fulfilled. Damascus will be totally destroyed during the second coming of Christ. (Keep in mind though, that there is nothing to say that it wouldn't be completely destroyed before then.)


TO ETHIOPIA (Cush): Isaiah 18
Ethiopia is in the same location today as it was back then. Back then, however, it was a much bigger nation (which included Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and parts of Southern Egypt).


This is one of the most difficult chapters to understand.


Here is what most people think: In preparation for the powerful invasion of Assyrians from the north, Ethiopia sent ambassadors all over the world to form alliances against Assyria. Ethiopia wanted Judah to join them to fight against Assyria. However, God did not want Judah to join any alliance, because God alone is enough to take care of Judah.


One day, however, Ethiopians will bring homage to the LORD (Isaiah 18:7).


It is uncertain whether this actually happened. There is no record. Some believe this was fulfilled by the Church age. There is currently a vibrant church in Ethiopia.


Could this passage be talking about Acts 8:26-40?


Acts 8:26-40
The Holy Spirit sent Philip out from Jerusalem. On this trip, Philip met an Ethiopian. The Ethiopian was on a mission to offer homage to the Lord. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Philip explained Isaiah 53:7-8 to the Ethiopian. The Ethiopian was saved and started the Church movement that has lasted to this day.


TO EGYPT: Isaiah 19-20


Isaiah 19:1-5
Egypt indeed went through a civil war and declined, as prophesied. They were judged because of how they treated Judah.


Isaiah 19:16-25
Egypt will be restored. There will be a national revival of Egypt. Egypt will turn to the living God. Egypt and Assyria will form a trade route. The two nation will exist with Israel in harmony, worshiping God together.


These events have obviously not happened yet. These events will be fulfilled upon the second coming of Jesus. All nations will live in peace during Jesus' reign on Earth.


TO EDOM: Isaiah 21:11-12
Edom is now part of modern day Jordan. Edomites were descendants of Esau.


"The night"
The Assyrian empire was suppressing the Edomites, and they wondered when it would be over. God told them it would be over, but the night will return, which scholars propose it to be in the form of Babylon. The Lord therefore told them to return to Him, to repent.


TO ARABIA: Isaiah 21:13-17
Arabia is modern day Saudi Arabia.


TO JERUSALEM: Isaiah 22
Jerusalem is the Southern Kingdom of Judah.


Isaiah 22:15-19
Shebna was indeed cast out, as prophesied.


Isaiah 22:20-24
Jerusalem will remain blind until the end of days--and indeed, it still is. When Jesus ascended into Heaven after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit was sent out to the world (Acts 1:7-9; 2:1-4), just as prophesied in Isaiah 22:20-21.


TO TYRE: Isaiah 23
Tyre is modern day Lebanon and was one of the most important port cities back then.


The Assyrian Empire, as prophesied by Isaiah, will destroy Tyre. This chapter is a preview of what is going to happen in the last days, leading up to the second coming of Jesus.


ISAIAH'S APOCALYPSE EVENTS: Isaiah 24
These events have never been fulfilled in history. When the above 10 nations are completely judged, God will then judge the earth, which will take place during the 7-year Tribulation.


Isaiah 24:23
After all the judgment, Jesus comes and reigns. It will be a kingdom of peace and joy for a thousand years. Hallelujah! Satan has been allowed to run free and cause endless chaos long enough.