This section is an introduction to all10 oracles that follow in chapters13-23 , as well as to the first oracle against Babylon. It explains why God will judge Gentile nations: they refuse to acknowledge Yahweh"s sovereignty and instead exalt and glorify themselves. The story of the building of the tower of Babel is the classic expression of this hubris (overweening pride; Genesis 11:1-9). [source][source][source]
Isaiah related a message from God, summoning His warriors to assemble, so they could carry out His will in judging those with whom He was angry. Raising a flag on a hilltop and calling warriors to assemble pictures God doing this ( Isaiah 13:2-3; cf. Revelation 9:16). Many warriors from many kingdoms far away would respond to the Lord"s command, and gather together to do battle as His instruments ( Isaiah 13:4-5; cf. Daniel 11:40-45; Revelation 14:14-20; Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 19:17-19). The day of the Lord, the day in which He will actively intervene in history, would be close by (Heb. qarob). The Hebrew word describes the total preparedness of that day to dawn whenever the Lord decides that its time has come. It does not necessarily mean that the day is imminent. Therefore everyone should wail (or howl; cf. Amos 5:16-17). It would be a day when the Almighty would send destruction ( Isaiah 13:6; cf. Isaiah 13:9; Isaiah 13:13). [source][source][source]
"In the Hebrew Bible the title "Almighty" (Heb. "Shaddai") depicts God as the sovereign king and judge of the world who both gives and takes away life." [1][source]
The prospect of sudden, inevitable, inescapable destruction at the hand of the Almighty would make everyone tremble with fear. They would not know where to turn ( Isaiah 13:7-8; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3). The coming judgment would desolate the whole earth and exterminate sinners from it, specifically those who miss the mark of righteousness ( Isaiah 13:9). This judgment would involve the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars (cf. Isaiah 34:4; Revelation 6:15-170; Joel 2:10; Joel 2:30-31; Joel 3:15; Zechariah 14:6-7; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 8:12). Since the pagans worshipped these objects, this announcement signals the judging of them as idols as well ( Isaiah 13:10). [source][source][source]
The reason for this wrathful judgment is the evil of wicked people, especially their pride and haughtiness ( Isaiah 13:11). Rather than human pride resulting in increasing good conditions for ever-expanding numbers of people, it will result in the cutting back of the human population ( Isaiah 13:12; cf. Revelation 6:8; Revelation 9:15). The heavens and the earth would shake at the fury of Yahweh of armies when His anger would burn against the wicked ( Isaiah 13:13; cf. Isaiah 24:18; Joel 2:10; Joel 3:16; Haggai 2:6-7; Haggai 2:21-22; Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18). People will scatter like frightened gazelles and sheep in that day as they seek security (cf. 1715228988_59). God"s warriors will slay all the wicked that they can find. Children will be unmercifully slaughtered in the sight of their parents. Houses will be looted and women raped ( Isaiah 13:14-16). [source][source][source]
"If we don"t have a just God to trust in, we will have no logical reason not to become violent ourselves. It is Isaiah"s vision of God"s final justice that moderates our anger and frustration right now." [1]1 [source]