Isaiah 13:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I myself have commanded my consecrated ones, and have summoned my mighty men to execute my anger, my proudly exulting ones.

NIV: I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath— those who rejoice in my triumph.

NASB: I have commanded My consecrated ones, I have also called for My warriors Who boast in My eminence, To execute My anger.

CSB: I have commanded my consecrated ones; yes, I have called my warriors, who celebrate my triumph, to execute my wrath.

NLT: I, the Lord, have dedicated these soldiers for this task. Yes, I have called mighty warriors to express my anger, and they will rejoice when I am exalted.'

KJV: I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

NKJV: I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger— Those who rejoice in My exaltation.”

This chapter of Isaiah reveals what the Lord has shown to Isaiah about the then-future destruction of the powerful city-state of Babylon. The Lord has called for the signal to be given when it is time for an attack. He has directed those who attack to enter through the gates of the noble people of Babylon (Isaiah 13:1–2).

Now the Lord describes those attacking as His army. He says that He has consecrated these soldiers for this battle and that He commands them. The Lord is angry with Babylon. And He has summoned proud and mighty men to carry out the judgment His anger demands.

However, it is crucial to note that those attacking Babylon will not think of themselves as fighting for the God of Israel. Nor is God robotically controlling their every movement or action on a small scale. In fact, some of what these invaders do will be heinous sin that God will also judge (Mark 4:22; Matthew 12:36). He is the one arranging events so they occur this way; these nations serve His purposes despite having their own goals. God does not require the permission of anyone to determine their fate or function. He has consecrated, or "set aside for a specific purpose," this assembled army. Whatever motives they may personally have, they are attacking Babylon because the Lord wants them to.

Isaiah wrote the same about Assyria in Isaiah 10. God described the king of Assyria as the "rod of his anger." He used that king against His own people Israel even though that ruler "does not so intend, and his heart does not so think" (Isaiah 10:5–7).

Isaiah 13:1–22 contains Isaiah's prophecy from the Lord. This is against the dominant power of Babylon, which would arise after the defeat of the Assyrians. The Lord will assemble and consecrate an international army to attack and obliterate the powerful city-state of Babylon. The people will tremble in fear as the Lord executes His judgment out of His great wrath toward the arrogant and ruthless Babylonians. The population will be slaughtered without mercy and the land left desolate. When it's over, only wild animals will walk the streets of the once-splendid city.

Chapter 13 begins a new section in the book of Isaiah, which focuses on prophecies against other nations besides Israel. It begins by describing the Lord's destruction of the city-state of Babylon. This will come after it has become a dominating power in the world. The Lord will assemble a multi-nation army to attack the city and leave the land completely desolate. All who flee will be hunted and killed. The Medes will slaughter even pregnant women and children without mercy. When it is all over, only wild animals will occupy the once luxurious center of human achievement and sophistication.

Isaiah has been discussing the eventual rescue and restoration of Israel (Isaiah 10–12). Chapter 13 introduces an entirely new section in Isaiah's book: prophecies from the Lord against Gentile nations. First is a prediction of the utter destruction of Babylon. That nation had been the dominant power in the world. The Lord will assemble a multi-nation army from near and far to destroy the luxurious and powerful city-state on the Euphrates. This is followed by reassurances and further details of God's vengeance on Israel's other oppressors.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).