Description
This chapter prophesies the end-time fall of the Daughter of Babylon, which equates with Edom and Arabia, or more specifically with Saudi Arabia.
Commentary
This chapter is a prophecy against the Daughter of Babylon (v1), which is equated with Edom (southern Jordan and Arabia) in Psalm 137. Edom is referred to as the Daughter of Babylon because in the latter part of the Babylonian Empire, Nabonidus, its last king, extended the Babylonian empire into Edom and Arabia as far south as Yathrib (now Medina in Saudi Arabia). Nabonidus spent most of his reign in his Arabian colony at Tema (now Tayma in western Saudi Arabia), leaving his son Belshazzar to rule Babylon as regent (Daniel 5:30). Nabonidus worshipped the moon god, Sin, who was worshipped in Mesopotamia and also in Arabia, from where Sin-worship probably originated.
Unlike chapter 46 which is primarily a prophecy against ancient Babylon, and indirectly an end-time prophecy against Arabia, chapter 47 is aimed directly at end-time Arabia. Its end-time destruction is also prophesied in Jeremiah 49, and Psalm 137. The Daughter of Babylon in view here most likely refers specifically to Saudi Arabia, but may possibly refer to Arabia as a whole, including southern Jordan.
In verse 1, Arabia is addressed with deliberate sarcasm, "O virgin daughter of Babylon", and told to sit in the dirt. In verse 5 she is called the Queen of kingdoms. But in Revelation 17:5, she is called 'The Mother of prostitutes'. No longer will she be pampered (v1). Instead, she will be utterly exposed and shamed, and be forced to do menial labour (v2-3). So that she knows who is addressing her, God states that he is the Lord of heaven's armies, the Holy One of Israel (v4), and tells her to go hide herself! (v5).
Verse 6 tells us God will hand his people over to her (expressed in the prophetic past tense) because he is angry with them. In Revelation 17 she is portrayed sitting on the beast that represents the end-time empire, implying that she controls it. Although it is the Antichrist who invades Israel in the end-times, Saudi Arabia is clearly involved. God in turn becomes angry with Arabia because she shows no mercy in her treatment of Israel. She feels secure and never anticipates the disaster that is about to befall her (v7-9). She is very religious, but despite her many incantations, she will become a widow and lose her children (v9). Although this is speaking metaphorically, Jeremiah's parallel prophecy of Edom's fall in Jeremiah 49:11 indicates that the only survivors will be widows and orphans. Most people, especially the men, will perish. Verse 10 describes the hidden nature of Arabia's sin - she thought "No-one sees me". When disaster strikes, it takes her by surprise and happens suddenly (v11). God taunts her, telling her to trust her charms and incantations (v12). She is tired from listening to so much advice - perhaps a reference to endless Islamic sermons. God taunts those who read omens, challenging them to rescue her (v13). But they themselves will be burned like straw and are actually in no position to help her (v14). Those she has so faithfully dealt with since her youth will disappoint her and abandon her, leaving no-one to rescue her (v15). This may be a reference to the USA, and especially to the UK, who were instrumental in establishing the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and have always been her strong allies.
Unlike chapter 46 which is primarily a prophecy against ancient Babylon, and indirectly an end-time prophecy against Arabia, chapter 47 is aimed directly at end-time Arabia. Its end-time destruction is also prophesied in Jeremiah 49, and Psalm 137. The Daughter of Babylon in view here most likely refers specifically to Saudi Arabia, but may possibly refer to Arabia as a whole, including southern Jordan.
In verse 1, Arabia is addressed with deliberate sarcasm, "O virgin daughter of Babylon", and told to sit in the dirt. In verse 5 she is called the Queen of kingdoms. But in Revelation 17:5, she is called 'The Mother of prostitutes'. No longer will she be pampered (v1). Instead, she will be utterly exposed and shamed, and be forced to do menial labour (v2-3). So that she knows who is addressing her, God states that he is the Lord of heaven's armies, the Holy One of Israel (v4), and tells her to go hide herself! (v5).
Verse 6 tells us God will hand his people over to her (expressed in the prophetic past tense) because he is angry with them. In Revelation 17 she is portrayed sitting on the beast that represents the end-time empire, implying that she controls it. Although it is the Antichrist who invades Israel in the end-times, Saudi Arabia is clearly involved. God in turn becomes angry with Arabia because she shows no mercy in her treatment of Israel. She feels secure and never anticipates the disaster that is about to befall her (v7-9). She is very religious, but despite her many incantations, she will become a widow and lose her children (v9). Although this is speaking metaphorically, Jeremiah's parallel prophecy of Edom's fall in Jeremiah 49:11 indicates that the only survivors will be widows and orphans. Most people, especially the men, will perish. Verse 10 describes the hidden nature of Arabia's sin - she thought "No-one sees me". When disaster strikes, it takes her by surprise and happens suddenly (v11). God taunts her, telling her to trust her charms and incantations (v12). She is tired from listening to so much advice - perhaps a reference to endless Islamic sermons. God taunts those who read omens, challenging them to rescue her (v13). But they themselves will be burned like straw and are actually in no position to help her (v14). Those she has so faithfully dealt with since her youth will disappoint her and abandon her, leaving no-one to rescue her (v15). This may be a reference to the USA, and especially to the UK, who were instrumental in establishing the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and have always been her strong allies.
Tags
Places: Babylon, Saudi Arabia, Arabia, Edom
Symbols:
Tags: Daughter of Babylon, Mystery Babylon, Great Prostitute, Fall of Arabia, Fall of Edom, Fall of Mystery Babylon
Symbols:
Tags: Daughter of Babylon, Mystery Babylon, Great Prostitute, Fall of Arabia, Fall of Edom, Fall of Mystery Babylon
Babylon Will Fall
1 “Fall down! Sit in the dirt, O virgin daughter Babylon! Sit on the ground, not on a throne, O daughter of the Babylonians! Indeed, you will no longer be called delicate and pampered.
2 Pick up millstones and grind flour! Remove your veil, strip off your skirt,expose your legs, cross the streams!
3 Let your naked body be exposed! Your shame will be on display! I will get revenge; I will not have pity on anyone,”
4 says our protector – the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
5 “Sit silently! Go to a hiding place, O daughter of the Babylonians. Indeed, you will no longer be called ‘Queen of kingdoms.’
6 I was angry at my people; I defiled my special possession and handed them over to you. You showed them no mercy; you even placed a very heavy burden on old people.
7 You said, ‘I will rule forever as permanent queen!’ You did not think about these things; you did not consider how it would turn out.
8 So now, listen to this, O one who lives so lavishly, who lives securely, who says to herself, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me! I will never have to live as a widow; I will never lose my children.’
9 Both of these will come upon you suddenly, in one day! You will lose your children and be widowed. You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies, despite your many incantations and your numerous amulets.
10 You were complacent in your evil deeds; you thought, ‘No one sees me.’ Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray, when you say, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me!’
11 Disaster will overtake you; you will not know how to charm it away. Destruction will fall on you; you will not be able to appease it. Calamity will strike you suddenly, before you recognize it.
12 Persist in trusting your amulets and your many incantations, which you have faithfully recited since your youth! Maybe you will be successful –maybe you will scare away disaster.
13 You are tired out from listening to so much advice. Let them take their stand – the ones who see omens in the sky, who gaze at the stars, who make monthly predictions – let them rescue you from the disaster that is about to overtake you!
14 Look, they are like straw, which the fire burns up; they cannot rescue themselves from the heat of the flames. There are no coals to warm them, no firelight to enjoy.
15 They will disappoint you, those you have so faithfully dealt with since your youth. Each strays off in his own direction, leaving no one to rescue you.”
1 “Fall down! Sit in the dirt, O virgin daughter Babylon! Sit on the ground, not on a throne, O daughter of the Babylonians! Indeed, you will no longer be called delicate and pampered.
2 Pick up millstones and grind flour! Remove your veil, strip off your skirt,expose your legs, cross the streams!
3 Let your naked body be exposed! Your shame will be on display! I will get revenge; I will not have pity on anyone,”
4 says our protector – the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
5 “Sit silently! Go to a hiding place, O daughter of the Babylonians. Indeed, you will no longer be called ‘Queen of kingdoms.’
6 I was angry at my people; I defiled my special possession and handed them over to you. You showed them no mercy; you even placed a very heavy burden on old people.
7 You said, ‘I will rule forever as permanent queen!’ You did not think about these things; you did not consider how it would turn out.
8 So now, listen to this, O one who lives so lavishly, who lives securely, who says to herself, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me! I will never have to live as a widow; I will never lose my children.’
9 Both of these will come upon you suddenly, in one day! You will lose your children and be widowed. You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies, despite your many incantations and your numerous amulets.
10 You were complacent in your evil deeds; you thought, ‘No one sees me.’ Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray, when you say, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me!’
11 Disaster will overtake you; you will not know how to charm it away. Destruction will fall on you; you will not be able to appease it. Calamity will strike you suddenly, before you recognize it.
12 Persist in trusting your amulets and your many incantations, which you have faithfully recited since your youth! Maybe you will be successful –maybe you will scare away disaster.
13 You are tired out from listening to so much advice. Let them take their stand – the ones who see omens in the sky, who gaze at the stars, who make monthly predictions – let them rescue you from the disaster that is about to overtake you!
14 Look, they are like straw, which the fire burns up; they cannot rescue themselves from the heat of the flames. There are no coals to warm them, no firelight to enjoy.
15 They will disappoint you, those you have so faithfully dealt with since your youth. Each strays off in his own direction, leaving no one to rescue you.”
(NET)
