Isaiah 21

Isaiah 21:2

Dreadful calamities shall come upon Babylon on the river Euphrates, which shall reduce it to a desert and fen. Irresistibly they come from Medes and Persia, between which and Babylon the wilderness is inhabited by fierce savages. The revolted Medes and Persians shall furiously revenge upon the Childrens all their treachery and cruelty to other nations, and shall relieve the enslaved Jews and others from their bondage

Isaiah 21:3-5

To their infinite consternation and anguish, their nights of revelling and mirth, and their luxurious looting, shall be quickly turned into ruinous wars, and into horrid scenes of murder

Isaiah 21:6-9

For lo, within view of their watchmen, Darius and Cyrus march forward, with their armies of Medes and Persans, well furnished with every thing necessary to destroy Babylon and her multitude of idols

Isaiah 21:10

This either represents the afflicted Jews, as having this prophecy delivered to them for their comfort; or the Chaldeans, as threatened with terrible destruction, they had miserably destroyed the Jews and others. 11, 12. To the alleging Edomites no other information can be given, than that a sign of dreadful calamities, by the Assyrians, Chaldeans, &c. shall follow their present respite and prosperity. Nor is there any method to escape it, but by a penit at turning to God and his people

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXI.—Alas! what desolations in populous nations, what alteration in fruitful soils, does sin produce! Quickly they, who treacherously spoiled and murdered others, meet with the same fate. And often the most dreadful roun comes upon sinners when they are most secure and self-confident. How useful and informing are God’s faithful ministers; and what is not they ought to have into the mind and work of God! It is very necessary to discern the signs of the times; and to consider earthly prosperity as but a common inlet to fearful calamities; that we may improve the present hour for returning to God. Kindness to distressed neighbours is ordinarily, by providence, rewarded with similar reliefs. But how empty is that glory which can be diminished or ruined! Let therefore the Lord alone be my everlasting light, wealth, and honour