1. Babylon has fallen (1-10)

Isaiah speaks to a time in the future when God's people would be exiles in Babylon for 70 years. The Babylonian Empire would fall at the hands of the Medes and Persians [Elam] (2,9), and the captives would be sent home. Isaiah was staggered by his vision. His body was racked with pain. It was so painful for him to speak the truth of God's word. The fall of Babylon was both joyful and terrifying. Many of God's people would be crushed on the threshing floor. The fall of Babylon meant the defeat of godless idolatry and freedom for God's people. Freedom is always costly.

2. Prophecies against Israel's cousins (11-17)

The hand of God's judgement was coming closer and closer to Israel. Assyria, Babylon, then Persia were his instruments of judgment. It would fall on Kedar, Dumah, and Tema, sons of Ishmael, and on Dedan, a descendant of Keturah (Ge 25).

Application: Lord, help me to teach your word truthfully, even though the truth hurts.
One Word: God's painful word