Threatened by Enemies from Afar

9 APRIL

They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole land. Isaiah 13:5

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Joel 1

Trouble from nearby nations does not appear to threaten Babylon, but the prophet warns that calamity will come to them from a distance. Likewise, though everything appears calm and peaceful right now and we are not at variance with our neighbors, God can bring enemies from the end of heaven. Therefore we cannot promise ourselves a lasting and prosperous condition when we are not threatened with an immediate danger.

If Isaiah's prediction had reached the inhabitants of Babylon, they would undoubtedly have laughed at it as a fable. Even if they had paid some respect to the prophet, they had such a strong conviction of their safety that they would have despised Isaiah's threats as idle and groundless.

Consider this example. When we preach about the present threat of the Turk, everyone thinks it is a fable because the Turk is still at a great distance from us. But we see how quickly he overtook those who were at a greater distance and were more powerful. So great is the insensibility of men that they cannot be aroused unless they are chastised and made to feel the blows.

Let this warning to the inhabitants of Babylon be a warning to us. Before it is too late, let us dread the threats that the prophets utter, so that the same thing may not happen to us as happened to those wicked men who, relying on their prosperous condition, were so terrified when the hand of God attacked and struck them that they could no longer stand but sank down bewildered.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: 

The incredible shifts in alliance during the twentieth century demonstrate the truth to Isaiah's warning. The Lord can raise up enemies where we least expect them. His threats of judgment are not idle.

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited bu Joel R. Beeke