Babylon was called queen of the kingdoms, and she enjoyed her wealth and easy-going comfort like a pampered princess. However, when God's judgment falls on her, she will sit in the dust. She will become a slave. She will be left with nothing to say. Her tragedy will be like a woman who loses her husband and children in a single day. Why would this happen to her? God used her to discipline his people for a time, but Babylon didn't acknowledge the LORD Almighty. She showed no mercy to Israel and treated her cruelly. Babylon was a proud and arrogant nation, saying to herself, "I am, and there is none besides me." It was a direct challenge to God. She was too confident, thinking herself to be invincible and immortal. She boldly practiced magic and sorcery, thinking that she could control her future with her own wisdom and knowledge from astrology. She was wicked at heart, saying, "No one sees me." But, when the day of disaster falls upon her, astrology will prove futile to save her, and sorcerers and magicians will be of no avail. God judges Babylon as well as her idols.

Babylon represents all those proud nations who have ignored God and despised his people. God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Our hope is in the LORD Almighty who is our Redeemer who saves repentant sinners.


Application: Lord, help me not to be arrogant but worship you in humility and live a repentant life.
One Word: Pride comes before a fall