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Hitherto the prophecies of this book related only to Judah and Israel, and Jerusalem especially; but now the prophet begins to look abroad, and to read the doom of divers of the neighbouring states and kingdoms: for he that is King of saints is also King of nations, and rules in the affairs of the children of men as well as in those of his own children. But the nations to whom these prophecies do relate were all such as the people of God were in some way or other conversant and concerned with, such as had been kind or unkind to Israel, and accordingly God would deal with them, either in favour or in wrath; for the Lord's portion is his people, and to them he has an eye in all the dispensations of his providence concerning those about them, De 32:8,9. The threatenings we find here against Babylon, Moab, Damascus, Egypt, Tyre, etc., were intended for comfort to those in Israel that feared God, but were terrified and oppressed by those potent neighbours, and for alarm to those among them that were wicked. If God would thus severely reckon with those for their sins that knew him not, and made no profession of his name, how severe would he be with those that were called by his name and yet lived in rebellion against him! And perhaps the directing of particular prophecies to the neighbouring nations might invite some of those nations to the reading of the Jews' Bible, and so they might be brought to their religion. This chapter, and that which follows, contain what God had to say to Babylon and Babylon's king, who were at present little known to Israel, but would in process of time become a greater enemy to them than any other had been, for which God would at last reckon with them. In this chapter we have, I. A general rendezvous of the forces that were to be employed against Babylon, Isa 13:1-5. II. The dreadfully bloody work that those forces should make in Babylon, Isa 13:6-18. III. The utter ruin and desolation of Babylon, which this should end in, Isa 13:19-22.
1-5
The Doom of Babylon (739 BC)
简体中文
巴比伦的厄运（公元前739年）
¹ 亚摩斯的儿子以赛亚所得关于巴比伦的默示。 ² 应当在净光的高山上竖立大旗，向他们扬声招手，使他们进入贵胄的门。 ³ 我已经吩咐我所分别为圣的人，也招呼我的勇士，就是我那因威严而欢呼的人，为要成就我怒中所定的。 ⁴ 山间有喧哗的声音，好像许多的人民；列邦列国聚集相会，好像打仗的兵马。万军之耶和华点齐军队，预备打仗。 ⁵ 他们从远方来，从天边来，就是耶和华并他恼恨的兵器，要毁灭这全地。
本书的总标题是亚摩斯的儿子以赛亚所得的默示（赛 1:1）。此处我们有以赛亚所「看见」的——那景象如同亲眼所见一样清晰完全地呈现于他心中；但这篇讲论的特别题注是关于巴比伦的默示。1. 这是默示，是他们必须学习的功课（有人这样理解），但他们却不愿学习，这要成为他们记忆上的重担，或成为压在他们身上使他们沉沦的重担。凡不肯以神的话为安息的（赛 28:12；耶 6:16），必发现神的话对他们成了重担。2. 这是关于巴比伦（即巴别）的默示；此时巴比伦附属于亚述帝国（其首都是尼尼微），但不久之后便脱离亚述自立为王，在尼布甲尼撒手下成为极其强盛的国。这位先知后来预言了犹太人必被掳至巴比伦（赛 39:6）。此处他预言神必因巴比伦苦害他百姓的罪行而向它讨回公道。在这些经文中，神向那些他将用作成就他忿怒、毁灭巴比伦之工具的强大好战列国发出呼召；他后来点名说（赛 13:17）是玛代人，他们在波斯人联合之下，在大流士和居鲁士率领下，毁灭了巴比伦帝国。
一、注定毁灭之地是巴比伦；此处称为贵胄之门（赛 13:2），因其中贵胄的宅第甚多，宏伟华丽，陈设富丽，必引诱仇敌前来，盼望得丰富的掳物。贵胄之门坚固且戒备森严，却挡不住那些奉命执行神审判的人。在他的权能与烈怒面前，宫殿与茅舍无异。受命毁灭的不只是贵胄之门，更是全地（赛 13:5）；因为虽然是贵胄带头逼迫欺压神的百姓，但全地都与他们一同有份。
二、被招聚来倾覆巴比伦的人，此处被称为：1. 神分别为圣的人（赛 13:3），为这服事而被指定，并因神的旨意和护理被分别出来，使他们脱开其他事务，可以专心致志于此——他们是被召去做那工的人，因此也合乎所蒙的召，因为神用人在什么工上，也必在某种程度上装备他们。这也表明，按着神的心意——虽非按着他们的心意——这是一场圣战；他们所图的不过是扩张自己的帝国，但神所图的是释放他的百姓，并作新约巴比伦被毁灭的预表。居鲁士是其中首要的人，他被称为分别为圣的人名正言顺，因为他是神的受膏者（赛 45:1），也是那将要来者的预表。可惜不是所有的士兵——尤其是为主争战的士兵——都按最严格的意义作分别为圣的人；那些将性命悬于手腕之间却仍敢作亵渎之人，实在令人诧异。2. 他们被称为神威严的勇士，因为他们的能力是从神而来，如今当为他使用。论到居鲁士，圣经说在这次征战中神搀扶他的右手（赛 45:1）。神分别为圣的人就是他威严的勇士。神所呼召的，他必装备；他所分别为圣的，他必使他们在灵里刚强。3. 经上说他们因神的威严而欢呼，即以极大的乐意服事他的荣耀并成就他的旨意。虽然居鲁士并不认识神，在实际所行的事上也没有图谋尊崇神，但神仍用他作自己的仆人（赛 45:4——我虽不认识你，却给你起名叫我的仆人），他也借那些高举神名的成功而喜乐。4. 他们人数众多——喧哗的声音，许多的人民，列邦列国（赛 13:4）——并非粗野未开化，而是建制有序的正规军，正如治理有序的列国所供应的。伟大的神有万千军兵听他调遣。5. 他们来自远方：他们从远方来，从天边来。 亚述广袤的国土横亘在巴比伦与波斯之间。神能使那些离他仇敌最远、因此最被轻看的人，成为他仇敌的鞭笞与毁灭。
三、向他们所发出的呼召是有功效的，他们的顺服是迅速的，他们阵容极其威严可畏：在净光的高山上竖立大旗（赛 13:2）。神的旌旗已经竖起，向巴比伦悬挂出挑衅的旗帜。它竖立在高处，人人可见；凡愿意的都可前来，在旗下入伍，立即被纳入神的麾下。招揽志愿兵的人必须扬声宣告，鼓励士兵前来；他们必须招手，向远处的人示意，并激励那些已经报名入伍的人。他们这样行必不徒然；神已经吩咐、已经呼召他所要使用的人（赛 13:3），能力就随着他的呼召和命令一同发出，无可抗拒。那使人能服事他的，也能随己意使他们甘心乐意。点齐军队、预备打仗的，是万军之耶和华（赛 13:4）。他兴起他们，招聚他们，将他们编列成阵，检阅他们，在军册上有精确的记载，查看他们各在其位，并赐下当行的命令。注意，一切战争的军兵都在万军之耶和华的统帅之下；使他们真正可畏的，是当他们来攻击巴比伦时，耶和华也亲自前来，并带着他们一同前来，作他恼恨的兵器（赛 13:5）。注意，伟大的君王和军队不过是神手中的工具，是他乐意用来成就他工作的兵器；是他的烈怒给他们武装，使他们得胜。
英語原文
The Doom of Babylon (739 BC)
¹ The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
² Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
³ I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
⁴ The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
⁵ 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.
The general title of this book was, The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, Isa 1:1. Here we have that which Isaiah saw, which was represented to his mind as clearly and fully as if he had seen it with his bodily eyes; but the particular inscription of this sermon is the burden of Babylon. 1. It is a burden, a lesson they were to learn (so some understand it), but they would be loth to learn it, and it would be a burden to their memories, or a load which should lie heavily upon them and under which they should sink. Those that will not make the word of God their rest (Isa 28:12, Jer 6:16) shall find it made a burden to them. 2. It is the burden of Babylon or Babel, which at this time was a dependent upon the Assyrian monarchy (the metropolis of which was Nineveh), but soon after revolted from it and became a monarchy of itself, and a very potent one, in Nebuchadnezzar. This prophet afterwards foretold the captivity of the Jews in Babylon, Isa 39:6. Here he foretels the reprisals God would make upon Babylon for the wrongs done to his people. In these verses a summons is given to those powerful and warlike nations whom God would make us of as the instruments of his wrath for the destruction of Babylon: he afterwards names them (Isa 13:17) the Medes, who, in conjunction with the Persians, under the command of Darius and Cyrus, were the ruin of the Babylonian monarchy.
I. The place doomed to destruction is Babylon; it is here called the gates of the nobles (Isa 13:2), because of the abundance of noblemen's houses that were in it, stately ones and richly furnished, which would invite the enemy to come, in hopes of a rich booty. The gates of nobles were strong and well guarded, and yet they would be no fence against those who came with commission to execute God's judgments. Before his power and wrath palaces are no more than cottages. Nor is it only the gates of the nobles, but the whole land, that is doomed to destruction (Isa 13:5); for, though the nobles were the leaders in persecuting and oppressing God's people, yet the whole land concurred with them in it.
II. The persons brought together to lay Babylon waste are here called, 1. God's sanctified ones (Isa 13:3), designed for this service and set apart to it by the purpose and providence of God, disengaged from other projects, that they might wholly apply themselves to this, such as were qualified for that to which they were called, for what work God employs men in he does in some measure fit them for. It intimates likewise that in God's intention, though not in theirs, it was a holy war; they designed only the enlargement of their own empire, but God designed the release of his people and a type of the destruction of the New-Testament Babylon. Cyrus, the person principally concerned, was justly called a sanctified one, for he was God's anointed (Isa 45:1) and a figure of him that was to come. It is a pity but all soldiers, especially those that fight the Lord's battles, should be in the strictest sense sanctified ones; and it is a wonder that those dare be profane ones who carry their lives in their hands. 2. They are called God's mighty ones, because they had their might from God and were now to use it for him. It is said of Cyrus that in this expedition God held his right hand, Isa 45:1. God's sanctified ones are his mighty ones. Those whom God calls he qualifies; and those whom he makes holy he makes strong in spirit. 3. They are said to rejoice in his highness, that is, to serve his glory and the purposes of it with great alacrity. Though Cyrus did not know God, nor actually design his honour in what he did, yet God used him as his servant (Isa 45:4, I have surnamed thee as my servant, though thou hast not known me), and he rejoiced in those successes by which God exalted his own name. 4. They are very numerous, a multitude, a great people, kingdoms of nations (Isa 13:4), not rude and barbarous, but modelled and regular troops, such as are furnished out by well-ordered kingdoms. The great God has hosts at his command. 5. They are far-fetched: They come from a far country, from the end of heaven. The vast country of Assyria lay between Babylon and Persia. God can make those a scourge and ruin to his enemies that lie most remote from them and therefore are least dreaded.
III. The summons given them is effectual, their obedience ready, and they make a very formidable appearance: A banner is lifted up upon the high mountain, Isa 13:2. God's standard is set up, a flag of defiance hung out against Babylon. It is erected on high, where all may see it; whoever will may come and enlist themselves under it, and they shall be taken immediately into God's pay. Those that beat up for volunteers must exalt the voice in making proclamation, to encourage soldiers to come in; they must shake the hand, to beckon those at a distance and to animate those that have enlisted themselves. And they shall not do this in vain; God has commanded and called those whom he designs to make use of (Isa 13:3) and power goes along with his calls and commands, which cannot be resisted. He that makes men able to serve him can, when he pleases, make them willing too. It is the Lord of hosts that musters the host of the battle, Isa 13:4. He raises them, brings them together, puts them in order, reviews them, has an exact account of them in his muster-roll, sees that they be all in their respective posts, and gives them their necessary orders. Note, All the hosts of war are under the command of the Lord of hosts; and that which makes them truly formidable is that, when they come against Babylon, the Lord comes, and brings them with him as the weapons of his indignation, Isa 13:5. Note, Great princes and armies are but tools in God's hand, weapons that he is pleased to make use of in doing his work, and it is his wrath that arms them and gives them success.
6-18
The Doom of Babylon (739 BC)
简体中文
巴比伦的结局（主前739年）
⁶ 你们应当哀号，因为耶和华的日子临近了！这日来到，好像毁灭从全能者来到。
⁷ 所以众人手都必发软，各人心都必消化。
⁸ 他们必惊惶害怕；疼痛和愁苦必将他们抓住；他们必疼痛如同产难的妇人；各人惊奇看别人；脸如火炽一般。
⁹ 看哪，耶和华的日子来到，既有残忍、烈怒、大怒，使地荒凉，他必从其中除灭罪人。
¹⁰ 天上的众星和其星座都不发光；日头一出就变黑暗；月亮也不放光。
¹¹ 我必因世界的邪恶刑罚世界，因恶人的罪孽刑罚恶人；我必使骄傲人的狂妄止息，使强暴人的狂傲降为卑。
¹² 我必使人比俄斐纯金更稀少，比俄斐金块更宝贵。
¹³ 我万军之耶和华在忿恨和烈怒之日，必使天震动，使地离其本位。
¹⁴ 人必像被追赶的鹿，像无人收聚的羊；各人归回本族本民，各人逃往本地。
¹⁵ 凡被发现的必被刺透；凡与他们联合的必倒在刀下。
¹⁶ 他们的婴孩必在他们眼前被摔碎；他们的房屋必被抢掠；他们的妻子必被玷污。
¹⁷ 看哪，我必激动玛代人来攻击他们；玛代人不重看银子，也不喜爱金子。
¹⁸ 他们的弓必射透少年人；他们必不怜恤腹中的果子；他们的眼也不顾惜婴孩。
此处我们读到一段非常优雅生动的描述，描述玛代人和波斯人突袭巴比伦之时，其中所要发生的可怕混乱和荒凉。那些如今安然无虑的人被吩咐「哀号」，悲哀痛哭；因为：
一、神要向他们显现在震怒中，落在他手中是一件可怕的事：「耶和华的日子临近」（赛 13:6）——一次小小的审判之日，那时神要为他自己和他百姓受屈的案子施行公义的报应。那日临近之时，有些人有理由战栗。「耶和华的日子来到」（赛 13:9）。人如今有他们的日子，他们想可以得胜；神却笑他们，因为他看见「他的日子将到」（诗 37:13）。神并不怀怒，然而他与巴比伦算账的日子却被称为「残忍、烈怒、大怒」。神要严严待他们，因为他们曾严严待神的百姓；对弯曲的人，对残忍的人，他必显为弯曲、显为残忍，并使好流人血者喝血。
二、他们的心要落空，他们既无勇气也无安慰；既不能抵挡将临的审判，也不能在其下撑住；既不能抵抗仇敌，也不能支持自己（赛 13:7,8）。那些在太平之日「骄傲」、「狂妄」、「可怕」的人（赛 13:11），在患难临到之时要完全丧胆、无计可施：「众人的手必发软」，不能执拿兵器；「各人的心必消化」，以致因惧怕几乎要死。他们恐惧的痛苦如难产妇人的痛苦，他们「各人惊奇看别人」——在惊吓自己的时候，他们彼此惊吓；他们希奇地看见那些向来大胆勇敢的人如今战栗；或者他们彼此相看，如不知所措的人（创 42:1）。「他们的脸如火炽一般」，有人说是因恐惧脸色苍白如火焰，也有人说是因自己的懦弱脸红如火焰；或他们的脸如被火烤焦的脸，或如在火中劳作之人的脸——「脸比煤炭更黑」，或「如烟中的皮袋」（诗 119:83）。
三、一切安慰和指望都要落空（赛 13:10）：「天上的众星都不发光」，被云遮掩；「日头一出就变黑暗」——升得明亮，却又消失，这必是恶劣天气的征兆。他们必如海上危急时的人，那时日月星辰都不显现（徒 27:20）。他们的境况要如全地一切天上光体都变为黑暗那般可怕——审判之日的预像，那时日头要变为黑暗。诸天如此蹙眉，是天上之神不悦的记号。地上事物即便暗淡，只要上面光明便可；但若从那里没有安慰可得，我们还能从哪里得安慰呢？
四、神要「因他们的罪孽」刑罚他们；这一切都是为刑罚罪——特别是骄傲之罪（赛 13:11）。这把茵陈苦胆放进苦难和灾祸之中：1. 罪现在必受刑罚。巴比伦虽是一个小世界，却既是一个邪恶的世界，便不能不受罚。罪把荒凉带给不敬虔之人的世界；地上列国彼此相争，正是神与它们全体相争的果子。2. 骄傲现在必被降卑：「强暴人的狂傲」现在必被「降为卑」——特别是尼布甲尼撒和他的儿子伯沙撒的，他们曾骄傲地践踏神的百姓，使自己成为他们极为可畏的人。「人的骄傲必使他降卑。」
五、必有大屠杀，以致男人稀少（赛 13:12）：「我必使人比俄斐纯金更稀少」。你出多少钱也找不到一个人来办理国事，找不到一个人来从军，找不到一个人来匹配女儿、建立家室。邻国的军队不愿受雇于巴比伦王，因为他们看见事事与他相背。人口稠密的国家因战争很快人口减少。神能很快使一个曾被奉承、被羡慕的国家变为众人之所怕所避，如同一座将倒的房子，一艘将沉的船。
六、必有普遍的混乱和惊惶——他们的世事如此混乱，如同可怕的雷声「震动诸天」，可怕的地震「使地离其本位」。一切都要在「万军之耶和华烈怒之日」倾覆荒凉（赛 13:13）。他们的心要被如此惊惶抓住，以致向来如吼狮、如狂熊对待四邻的巴比伦，要变得「如被追赶的鹿，如无人收聚的羊」（赛 13:14）。他们带到战场的军队——如大军通常那样，由不同民族的部队组成——必因自己的恐惧如此丧胆，因仇敌的刀剑如此分散，以致「各人归回本族本民」；各人为自己的安全各自奔逃；「勇士的手不能施展」（诗 76:5），只能逃命。
七、必有普遍的血腥和恐怖景象，正如刀剑吞灭之处所常见。每个人都尽力奔逃，并不为怪，因为征服者不留活口，把一切都杀尽，不但杀那些被发现持械的，正如我们即便在最残酷屠杀中也只杀那些（赛 13:15）：「凡被发现的必被刺透」——只一看出他是巴比伦人便立即如此。不但如此，因为刀剑吞灭这个人如同吞灭那个人，「凡与他们联合的必倒在刀下」；那些来帮助他们的别国人必与他们一同被剪除。与恶人为伍、帮助那神将要毁灭的人，是危险的。那些特别与巴比伦结盟的人必指望同受它的灾殃（启 18:4）。再者，既然最神圣的自然律和人道律都被战争的狂怒所压制（虽不能被取消），征服者便要以最野蛮畜生的方式「摔碎婴孩，玷污妻子」。恶行得以畅行（赛 13:16）。他们曾如此待神的百姓（哀 5:11），如今他们要受同样的报应（启 13:10）。经上特别预言（诗 137:9）：「巴比伦的婴孩必被摔在磐石上。」行这事的人无论多么残忍不义，神让他们行这事、行在「他们眼前」以加重他们的恐惧和烦恼，却是公义的。他们用以色列的掳物所充满的房屋被抢掠，也是公义的。以暴力得来的，常常以同样方式失去。
八、神所差遣攻击他们的仇敌必不留情——也许因这样或那样的挑衅格外激怒；或无论如何促成这事，神自己要「激动玛代人」如此严酷地对待巴比伦人。他不但要借他们的性情和图谋成就自己的旨意，更要把这图谋放在他们心中，任凭他们以这一切狂怒推进。神不是罪的作者，但他若不知道如何从其中为自己带出荣耀，便不会容许它。这些玛代人与波斯人联合必彻底办成这事；因为：1. 他们不受贿赂（赛 13:17）。人为保命愿意献上一切，但玛代人「不重看银子」；他们渴求的是血，不是金；任何人的财富都不能在他们那里作他性命的赎价。2. 他们毫无怜悯（赛 13:18），不怜悯「少年人」——他们年华正盛——他们的弓要把他们射透，然后摔碎他们；也不怜悯无辜的年岁——「他们必不怜恤腹中的果子，也不顾惜婴孩」，他们的哭号和惊吓本应使大理石的眼目流泪，使金刚石的心肠软化。请稍停在此并希奇：（1）人竟能如此残忍不人道，如此全无怜悯；在其中可见人性已变得何等败坏退化。（2）无限怜悯的神竟容许这事，不，更使之成为他公义的执行——这表明他虽满有恩典，却是那属乎报应的神。（3）从未犯过任何本罪的婴孩竟如此受虐待——这表明有一种原初的罪咎，使生命一开始便被定罪。
英語原文
The Doom of Babylon (739 BC)
⁶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
⁷ Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
⁸ And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
⁹ Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
¹⁰ For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
¹¹ And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
¹² I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
¹³ Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
¹⁴ And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
¹⁵ Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
¹⁶ Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
¹⁷ Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
¹⁸ Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
We have here a very elegant and lively description of the terrible confusion and desolation which should be made in Babylon by the descent which the Medes and Persians should make upon it. Those that were now secure and easy were bidden to howl and make sad lamentation; for,
I. God was about to appear in wrath against them, and it is a fearful thing to fall into his hands: The day of the Lord is at hand (Isa 13:6), a little day of judgment, when God will act as a just avenger of his own and his people's injured cause. And there are those who will have reason to tremble when that day is at hand. The day of the Lord cometh, Isa 13:9. Men have their day now, and they think to carry the day; but God laughs at them, for he sees that his day is coming, Ps 37:13. Fury is not with God, and yet his day of reckoning with the Babylonians is said to be cruel with wrath and fierce anger. God will deal in severity with them for the severities they exercised upon God's people; with the froward, with the cruel, he will show himself froward, will show himself cruel, and give the blood-thirsty blood to drink.
II. Their hearts shall fail them, and they shall have neither courage nor comfort left; they shall not be able either to resist the judgment coming or to bear up under it, either to oppose the enemy or to support themselves, Isa 13:7,8. Those that in the day of their peace were proud, and haughty, and terrible (Isa 13:11), shall, when trouble comes, be quite dispirited and at their wits' end: All hands shall be faint, and unable to hold a weapon, and every man's heart shall melt, so that they shall be ready to die for fear. The pangs of their fear shall be like those of a woman in hard labour, and they shall be amazed one at another. In frightening themselves, they shall frighten one another; they shall wonder to see those tremble that used to be bold and daring; or they shall be amazed looking one at another, as men at a loss, Ge 42:1. Their faces shall be as flames, pale as flames, through fear (so some), or red as flames sometimes are, blushing at their own cowardice; or their faces shall be as faces scorched with the flame, or as theirs that labour in the fire, their visage blacker than a coal, or like a bottle in the smoke, Ps 119:83.
III. All comfort and hope shall fail them (Isa 13:10): The stars of heaven shall not give their light, but shall be clouded and overcast; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, rising bright, but lost again, a certain sign of foul weather. They shall be as men in distress at sea, when neither sun nor stars appear, Ac 27:20. It shall be as dreadful a time with them as it would be with the earth if all the heavenly luminaries were turned into darkness, a resemblance of the day of judgment, when the sun shall be turned into darkness. The heavens frowning thus is an indication of the displeasure of the God of heaven. When things look dark on earth, yet it is well enough if all be clear upwards; but, if we have no comfort thence, wherewith shall we be comforted?
IV. God will visit them for their iniquity; and all this is intended for the punishment of sin, and particularly the sin of pride, Isa 13:11. This puts wormwood and gall into the affliction and misery, 1. That sin must now have its punishment. Though Babylon be a little world, yet, being a wicked world, it shall not go unpunished. Sin brings desolation on the world of the ungodly; and when the kingdoms of the earth are quarrelling with one another it is the fruit of God's controversy with them all. 2. That pride must now have its fall: The haughtiness of the terrible must now be laid low, particularly of Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar, who had, in their pride, trampled upon, and made themselves very terrible to, the people of God. A man's pride will bring him low.
V. There shall be so great a slaughter as will produce a scarcity of men (Isa 13:12): I will make a man more precious than fine gold. You could not have a man to be employed in any of the affairs of state, not a man to be enlisted in the army, not a man to match a daughter to, for the building up of a family, if you would give any money for one. The troops of the neighbouring nations would not be hired into the service of the king of Babylon, because they saw every thing go against him. Populous countries are soon depopulated by war. And God can soon make a kingdom that has been courted and admired to be dreaded and shunned by all, as a house that is falling, or a ship that is sinking.
VI. There shall be a universal confusion and consternation, such a confusion of their affairs that it shall be like the shaking of the heavens with dreadful thunders and the removing of the earth by no less dreadful earthquakes. All shall go to rack and ruin in the day of the wrath of the Lord of hosts, Isa 13:13. And such a consternation shall seize their spirits that Babylon, which used to be like a roaring lion and a raging bear to all about her, shall become as a chased roe and as a sheep that no man takes up, Isa 13:14. The army they shall bring into the field, consisting of troops of divers nations (as great armies usually do), shall be so dispirited by their own apprehensions and so dispersed by their enemies' sword that they shall turn every man to his own people; each man shall shift for his own safety; the men of might shall not find their hands (Ps 76:5), but take to their heels.
VII. There shall be a general scene of blood and horror, as is usual where the sword devours. No wonder that every one makes the best of his way, since the conqueror gives no quarter, but puts all to the sword, and not those only that are found in arms, as is usual with us even in the most cruel slaughters (Isa 13:15): Every one that is found alive shall be run through, as soon as ever it appears that he is a Babylonian. Nay, because the sword devours one as well as another, every one that is joined to them shall fall by the sword; those of other nations that come in to their assistance shall be cut off with them. It is dangerous being in bad company, and helping those whom God is about to destroy. Those particularly that join themselves to Babylon must expect to share in her plagues, Re 18:4. And, since the most sacred laws of nature, and of humanity itself, are silenced by the fury of war (though they cannot be cancelled), the conquerors shall, in the most barbarous brutish manner, dash the children to pieces, and ravish the wives. Jusque datum sceleri—Wickedness shall have free course, Isa 13:16. They had thus dealt with God's people (La 5:11), and now they shall be paid in their own coin, Re 13:10. It was particularly foretold (Ps 137:9) that the little ones of Babylon should be dashed against the stones. How cruel soever and unjust those were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done, and to be done before their eyes, to their greater terror and vexation. It was just also that the houses which they had filled with the spoil of Israel should be spoiled and plundered. What is got by rapine is often lost in the same manner.
VIII. The enemy that God will send against them shall be inexorable, probably being by some provocation or other more than ordinarily exasperated against them; or, in whatever way it may be brought about, God himself will stir up the Medes to use this severity with the Babylonians. He will not only serve his own purposes by their dispositions and designs, but will put it into their hearts to make this attempt upon Babylon, and suffer them to prosecute it with all this fury. God is not the author of sin, but he would not permit it if he did not know how to bring glory to himself out of it. These Medes, in conjunction with the Persians, shall make thorough work of it; for, 1. They shall take no bribes, Isa 13:17. All that men have they would give for their lives, but the Medes shall not regard silver; it is blood they thirst for, not gold; no man's riches shall with them be the ransom of his life. 2. They shall show no pity (Isa 13:18), not to the young men that are in the prime of their time—they shall shoot them through with their bows, and then dash them to pieces; not to the age of innocency—they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb, nor spare little children, whose cries and frights one would think should make even marble eyes to weep, and hearts of adamant to relent. Pause a little here and wonder, (1.) That men should be thus cruel and inhuman, and so utterly divested of all compassion; and in it see how corrupt and degenerate the nature of man has become. (2.) That the God of infinite mercy should suffer it, nay, and should make it to be the execution of his justice, which shows that, though he is gracious, yet he is the God to whom vengeance belongs. (3.) That little infants, who have never been guilty of any actual sin, should be thus abused, which shows that there is an original guilt by which life is forfeited as soon as it is had.
19-22
The Doom of Babylon (739 BC)
简体中文
巴比伦的厄运（主前739年）
¹⁹ 巴比伦素来为列国的荣耀，为迦勒底人所矜夸的华美，必像神所倾覆的所多玛、蛾摩拉一样。 ²⁰ 必永远无人居住，世世代代无人居住；亚拉伯人也不在那里支搭帐棚；牧羊的人也不使羊群卧在那里。 ²¹ 只有旷野的走兽卧在那里；他们的房屋充满哀号的兽；鸵鸟住在那里，野山羊在那里跳舞。 ²² 豺狼必在他们荒凉的宫中呼号，野狗在他们华美的殿内吼叫。巴比伦受罚的时候临近；他的日子必不长久。
预言玛代人和波斯人要在巴比伦造成的大屠杀和毁灭，至此以巴比伦最终的毁灭作结。1. 这里承认巴比伦原是一座名城。它是「列国的荣耀，迦勒底人所矜夸的华美」；它是那「金头」（但 2:37,38）；它被称为「列国的主母」（赛 47:5），「全地所赞美的」（耶 51:41），「如同可爱的母鹿」（原文如此）；但它要成为「被追赶的母鹿」（赛 13:14）。迦勒底人以他们这座大都会的华美和财富为傲。2. 这里预言它必全然毁灭，如同所多玛和蛾摩拉；不是那么神奇，也不是那么突然，却同样彻底，只是渐渐成就；并且这毁灭要像所多玛所受的那样，在他们安逸无备、又吃又喝时临到他们（路 17:28,29）。巴比伦是在伯沙撒纵酒作乐时被攻取的；虽然居鲁士和大流士没有拆毁它，但它渐渐衰败，时日一久便完全归于毁坏。此处预言（赛 13:20）「它必永远无人居住」；在哈德良时代，除了城墙之外什么也没剩下。论到尼尼微那大城，预言说它被弃绝荒凉之后，仍有羊群卧在其中；论到巴比伦却说，「亚拉伯人」——他们是「牧羊的人」——「也不在那里支搭帐棚」；那周围的地要如此荒芜，连羊也无草可吃。不仅如此，它要成为喜爱荒僻之「野兽」的藏身处；巴比伦的房屋——素来是寻欢作乐的儿女聚集之处——「必充满哀号的兽、鸵鸟和野山羊」，这些野兽自己被赶到那里，视为适合它们的地方，又使其他一切因此被吓退。历史学家说这在字面上应验了。本杰明·巴约拿（Benjamin of Tudela，希伯来名 Bar-Jona）在他的《游记》中论到巴别时，有这样一段话：「这就是古时宽三十哩的巴别；如今已荒废。还可看见尼布甲尼撒王宫殿的遗址，但人子不敢进去，因有蛇蝎占据了那地方。」所以无人能以自己豪华的宫殿为傲，因为他们不知道这些宫殿可能变成比茅屋更糟糕的地方；也不要有人以为「他们的房屋必存到永远」（诗 49:11），因为也许除了房屋的废墟和羞辱之外，什么也不留。3. 这里暗示这毁灭速将来到（赛 13:22）：「他受罚的时候临近。」这关于巴比伦毁灭的预言，是为着神百姓日后在那里被掳、受重压时的扶持和安慰；这预言的应验在预言发出之后约二百年才来到；然而它在为它所计算的时日之后不久便应验了。当以色列人在巴比伦暴政的重轭下叹息，坐在巴比伦的河边哭泣，因锡安的诗歌被戏弄时，当他们傲慢的欺压者最骄傲自大时（赛 13:11），那时让他们为安慰而知道：巴比伦的时分，它倾倒的日子，已临近，它繁荣的日子必不再如以往那样延长。神一旦动手对付它，就必作成。论到新约巴比伦（旧约巴比伦是它的预表）的毁灭，也是如此说：「一时之间，她的审判就来到了。」
英語原文
The Doom of Babylon (739 BC)
¹⁹ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
²⁰ It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
²¹ But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
²² And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
The great havoc and destruction which it was foretold should be made by the Medes and Persians in Babylon here end in the final destruction of it. 1. It is allowed that Babylon was a noble city. It was the glory of kingdoms and the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency; it was that head of gold (Da 2:37,38); it was called the lady of kingdoms (Isa 47:5), the praise of the whole earth (Jer 51:41), like a pleasant roe (so the word signifies); but it shall be as a chased roe, Isa 13:14. The Chaldeans gloried in the beauty and wealth of this their metropolis. 2. It is foretold that it should be wholly destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorrah; not so miraculously, nor so suddenly, but as effectually, though gradually; and the destruction should come upon them as that upon Sodom, when they were secure, eating and drinking, Lu 17:28,29. Babylon was taken when Belshazzar was in his revels; and, though Cyrus and Darius did not demolish it, yet by degrees it wasted away and in process of time it went all to ruin. It is foretold here (Isa 13:20) that it shall never be inhabited; in Adrian's time nothing remained but the wall. And whereas it is prophesied concerning Nineveh, that great city, that when it should be deserted and left desolate yet flocks should lie down in the midst of it, it is here said concerning Babylon that the Arabians, who were shepherds, should not make their folds there; the country about should be so barren that there would be no grazing there; no, not for sheep. Nay, it shall be the receptacle of wild beasts, that affect solitude; the houses of Babylon, where the sons and daughters of pleasure used to rendezvous, shall be full of doleful creatures, owls and satyrs, that are themselves frightened thither, as to a place proper for them, and by whom all others are frightened thence. Historians say that this was fulfilled in the letter. Benjamin Bar-Jona, in his Itinerary, speaking of Babel, has these words: "This is that Babel which was of old thirty miles in breadth; it is now laid waste. There are yet to be seen the ruins of a palace of Nebuchadnezzar, but the sons of men dare not enter in, for fear of serpents and scorpions, which possess the place." Let none be proud of their pompous palaces, for they know not but they may become worse than cottages; nor let any think that their houses shall endure for ever (Ps 49:11), when perhaps nothing may remain but the ruins and reproaches of them. 3. It is intimated that this destruction should come shortly (Isa 13:22): Her time is near to come. This prophecy of the destruction of Babylon was intended for the support and comfort of the people of God when they were captives there and grievously oppressed; and the accomplishment of the prophecy was nearly 200 years after the time when it was delivered; yet it followed soon after the time for which it was calculated. When the people of Israel were groaning under the heavy yoke of Babylonish tyranny, sitting down in tears by the rivers of Babylon and upbraided with the songs of Zion, when their insolent oppressors were most haughty and arrogant (Isa 13:11), then let them know, for their comfort, that Babylon's time, her day to fall, is near to come, and the days of her prosperity shall not be prolonged, as they have been. When God begins with her he will make an end. Thus it is said of the destruction of the New-Testament Babylon, whereof the former was a type, In one hour has her judgment come.
至此为止，本书的预言只论及犹大与以色列，尤其是耶路撒冷；但如今先知开始放眼四顾，宣读四围邻近列邦列国的命运判决：因为那作圣徒之王的，也是万国之王，祂不仅治理自己儿女的事，也治理世人之子的事。然而这些预言所论的列国，都是神的百姓在某种程度上与之有所交往或有所关切的——或曾善待以色列，或曾苦待以色列——神也必照样或以恩宠、或以震怒待他们；因为耶和华的份本是祂的百姓，祂在一切关乎他们四围邻舍的护理作为之中，都留意到祂的百姓（申32:8,9）。此处我们所见对巴比伦、摩押、大马士革、埃及、推罗等地的警告，乃是为着安慰以色列中那些敬畏神、却被这些强邻所威吓欺压的人，也是为着警诫他们中间的恶人。倘若神对那些不认识祂、也不奉祂名之人的罪尚且如此严厉算账，那么对那些称为祂名下、却仍活在悖逆之中的人，岂不更加严厉吗！或许，将特定的预言指向邻邦，也可吸引这些国家中的一些人来读犹太人的圣经，从而被引至他们的信仰。本章及下一章所载的，乃是神对巴比伦及巴比伦王所说的话——此时他们对以色列而言尚所知甚少，但日久之后必将成为比任何仇敌都更可怕的敌人，为此神至终必与他们算账。在本章中，我们有： I. 那些将要用于攻打巴比伦之军兵的一次普遍集结，赛13:1-5。 II. 那些军兵在巴比伦所要行出的可畏而血腥的作为，赛13:6-18。 III. 巴比伦因此所终将面临的彻底灭亡与荒凉，赛13:19-22。