Zechariah 2:8-9 and Isaiah 39

Zechariah 2:8-9
Isaiah 39
Regarding Babylon
King Hezekiah

The Purpose of the Parables

Mat 13:10-17 KJV  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  (11)  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  (12)  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  (13)  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  (14)  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  (15)  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.  (16)  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  (17)  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

We chose this passage to start things out today for a couple of things. Mostly because our main character in today’s journey king Hezekiah some may say fits right into this passage. He did a lot of marvelous things for Israel in his earlier days as we will explore. However at the end result he made what was basically a religious and political blunder by openly receiving some folks from Babylon. Let’s start here.

 Zec 2:8-9 KJV  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.  (9)  For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Envoys from Babylon

Isa 39:1-8 KJV  At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.  (2)  And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.  (3)  Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.  (4)  Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.  (5)  Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:  (6)  Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.  (7)  And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.  (8)  Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

Isa 39:1 KJV  At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

The breakdown on the history involved here is found in 2nd Kings and 2nd Chronicles. We will look at the history associated to this verse regarding Hezekiah’s health. 

2Ki 18:1-2 KJV  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.  (2)  Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

As we went through our library of commentaries the dates associated with his rule varied somewhat. However the most popularly accepted are the years his rule were 715 bc-686bc. Interestingly enough following this timeline tells us that Hezekiah’s rule came to an end exactly 100 years prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery

2Ki 20:1-11 KJV  In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.  (2)  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,  (3)  I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.  (4)  And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,  (5)  Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.  (6)  And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.  (7)  And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.  (8)  And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?  (9)  And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?  (10)  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.  (11)  And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

All is not bad however with Hezekiah he did do many great things as the Lord informs us as well.

Hezekiah Reigns in Judah

2Ki 18:1-8 KJV  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.  (2)  Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.  (3)  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.  (4)  He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.  (5)  He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.  (6)  For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.  (7)  And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.  (8)  He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

We could stand to have a Hezekiah’s revival here in America could we not?

Hezekiah’s reign historically was 726-701BC according to some. However the 715bc-686bc is the widely accepted. 

Hezekiah of course was a king who basically started a revival within Judah. We must mention that the nation was divided. As we move through his history we will discover that much like Solomon in his older years mistakes were being made. Although in all honesty he really only made one major blunder and that is found in Isaiah 39.

One last thing we will explore here before moving to verse 2. That thing being a word study on the Babylonian king that sent envoys. 

Isa 39:1  At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

H4757
מְראֹדַךְ בַּלְאָדָן
mer'ôdak bal'âdân
mer-o-dak' bal-aw-dawn'
Of foreign derivation; Merodak-Baladan, a Babylonian king: - Merodach-baladan. Compare H4781.

Total KJV occurrences: 1

H4781
מְרֹדָךְ
merôdâk
mer-o-dawk'
Of foreign derivation; Merodak, a Babylonian idol: - Merodach. Compare H4757.
Total KJV occurrences: 1

The last thing this ol’ boy would want is to be named after a Babylonian idol in scripture. Don’t get me wrong I have plenty to account for. 

Isa 39:2 KJV  And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

These actions are documented in Kings and Chronicles.

Hezekiah and the Babylonian Envoys

2Ki 20:12-21 KJV  At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.  (13)  And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.  (14)  Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.  (15)  And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.  (16)  And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.  (17)  Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.  (18)  And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.  (19)  Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?  (20)  And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?  (21)  And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

Hezekiah's Pride and Achievements

2Ch 32:24-33 KJV  In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.  (25)  But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.  (26)  Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.  (27)  And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;  (28)  Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.  (29)  Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.  (30)  This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.  (31)  Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.  (32)  Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.  (33)  And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

Now we see that some of the actual punishment for Hezekiah’s attitude filtered down through history to the Babylonian invasion. It also appears that as long as Hezekiah felt he was immune to the punishment he was in good standing with the Lord. That was a big mistake.

Isa 39:2 KJV  And Hezekiah was gladH8055of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

In spite of all the good Hezekiah apparently did and also in spite of what God had already been doing for him the king failed miserably here with their rivals in the middle east. It brings the following Psalm to mind for some we have shared with. 

Put Not Your Trust in Princes

Psa 146:1-10 KJV  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  (2)  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.  (3)  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.  (4)  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  (5)  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:  (6)  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:  (7)  Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:  (8)  The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:  (9)  The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.  (10)  The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

You might have noticed we highlighted the word glad for a further look.

Isa 39:2 KJV  And Hezekiah was gladH8055of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

H8055
שָׂמַח
śâmach
saw-makh'
A primitive root; probably to brighten up, that is, (figuratively) be (causatively make) blithe or gleesome: - cheer up, be (make) glad, (have make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.

Total KJV occurrences: 155

Flattery is a word that comes to mind here. 

One last thing about verse 2 for now is that all the riches Hezekiah controlled are some of those things used in Daniel 5 concerning the writing on the wall. 

Dan 5:1-5 KJV  Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.  (2)  Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.  (3)  Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.  (4)  They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.  (5)  In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

Isa 39:3-4 KJV  Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.  (4)  Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

This brings the following Psalm to mind in the initial look at these verses. 

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

Psa 33:1-22 KJV  Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  (2)  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.  (3)  Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.  (4)  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.  (5)  He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.  (6)  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  (7)  He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.  (8)  Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  (9)  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.  (10)  The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.  (11)  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  (12)  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.  (13)  The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.  (14)  From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.  (15)  He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.  (16)  There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.  (17)  An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.  (18)  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;  (19)  To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.  (20)  Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.  (21)  For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.  (22)  Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

In particular we consider verse 10-12

Psa 33:10-12 KJV  The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.  (11)  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.  (12)  Blessed is the nationH1471whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Blessed is the nation. There were always people surrounding the kings of Judah especially. These were prophets and priests. Many of the Lord and a few that were not. In the time of David there was Samuel and Nathan. We need this back in the world and America again. Oh by the way in case someone says oh that was for Israel. Tell them to do a word study on the word nation.

H1471
גֹּי    גּוֹי
gôy    gôy
go'ee, go'-ee
Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Total KJV occurrences: 559

Psa 144:15 KJV  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

Psa 65:4 KJV  Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Psa 84:4 KJV  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

In the realm of biblical commentaries Hezekiah has a severe problem with pride. It’s also described in scripture as we have just been reading. 

Isa 39:3-4 KJV  Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.  (4)  Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

When reading this a second time it kind of reminds us of the questions God asked right before the fall in the garden. Isaiah it seems has already heard a little bit possibly what happened here. 

Isa 39:5-6 KJV  Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:  (6)  Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

Isaiah giving us a very early preview of what is going to happen in Jerusalem approximately 130 years or so. As we detailed in the Daniel studies and some others Jerusalem was first seized in 606BC. This is when Daniel and his friends were taken off to Babylon. Jerusalem of course razed to the ground in 586BC. 

We heavily looked into those matters during the Daniel extremity studies. 

Isa 39:7 KJV  And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Jerusalem Captured

2Ki 24:1-7 KJV  In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.  (2)  And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.  (3)  Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;  (4)  And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.  (5)  Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?  (6)  So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.  (7)  And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.

Jehoiachin Reigns in Judah

2Ki 24:8-9 KJV  Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.  (9)  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.

Jerusalem Captured

2Ki 24:10-17 KJV  At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.  (11)  And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.  (12)  And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.  (13)  And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.  (14)  And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.  (15)  And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.  (16)  And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.  (17)  And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Zedekiah Reigns in Judah

2Ki 24:18-20 KJV  Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.  (19)  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.  (20)  For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Isa 39:8  Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days. 

If your reading spells out what it did for us this is a very surprising statement on Hezekiah’s behalf. In spite of all he had going for himself in as much as the Lord was concerned Hezekiah was no more concerned for the fate of his nation possibly even his own descendants than having peace during his remaining days. We are slowly exploring all the prophecies that both predict and fulfill the Babylonian empire. 

The Babylonian empire as it pertained to the passage of Zechariah 2:8-9.

Zec 2:8-9 KJV  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.  (9)  For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

We just thought we would close out this rather short journey compared to others by exploring some verses concerning who the glory is.

The Baptism of Jesus

Mat 3:13-17 KJV  Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  (14)  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  (15)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  (16)  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  (17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Baptism of Jesus

Mar 1:9-11 KJV  And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.  (10)  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:  (11)  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luk 3:21-22 KJV  Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,  (22)  And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

A Man with a Withered Hand

Mat 12:9-14 KJV  And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:  (10)  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.  (11)  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?  (12)  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.  (13)  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.  (14)  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

God's Chosen Servant

Mat 12:15-21 KJV  But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;  (16)  And charged them that they should not make him known:  (17)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,  (18)  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  (19)  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.  (20)  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  (21)  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

The Transfiguration

Mat 17:1-13 KJV  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,  (2)  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  (3)  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  (4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.  (5)  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  (6)  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.  (7)  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  (8)  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.  (9)  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.  (10)  And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?  (11)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.  (12)  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.  (13)  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

The Great Commission

Mat 28:16-20 KJV  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  (17)  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  (18)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Rev 16:15 KJV  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Rev 22:12-13 KJV  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (13)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

As always thanks for sharing a word
God Bless

Zechariah2:8-9 and Isaiah 21

Zechariah2:8-9
Isaiah 14 and 21
Regarding Babylon

Signs of the End of the Age

Mat 24:3-8 KJV  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  (4)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  (5)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  (6)  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  (8)  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Mat 24:36-39 KJV  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  (37)  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

This bit of info Jesus gives us here launched us on a journey into corruption in the Bible.

Our last look at the nations that Zechariah 2 refers to in verses 8-9 we took a bit of a historical journey regarding Babylon. Some things we should keep in mind as we move forward.

Cain settled in a land east of Eden and was building a city.

Gen 4:11-17 KJV  And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;  (12)  When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.  (13)  And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.  (14)  Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.  (15)  And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.  (16)  And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.  (17)  And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

2.  After the flood the folks went east to a land called Shinar

Gen 10:8-10 KJV And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.  (9)  He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.  (10)  And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

Gen 11:1-9 KJV  And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.  (2)  And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.  (3)  And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.  (4)  And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.  (5)  And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.  (6)  And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.  (7)  Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.  (8)  So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.  (9)  Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

3.  That when we studied the word in Aramaic it meant gateway to god.

Babel; Babylon (1)
bā´bel, bab´i-lon (Topographical): Babylon was the Greek name of the city written in the cuneiform script of the Babylonians, bab-ili, which means in Semitic, “the gate of god.” The Hebrews called the country, as well as the city, Bābhel. This name they considered came from the' root, bālal, “to confound” (Gen_11:9).

The question here needing to be asked was “what god? It obviously had nothing to do with the God of the Bible. Our Father God destroyed the tower and scattered the nations. The irony of it all in some ways is perplexing to some maybe.

The ancient city of Babylon has been excavated and in some cases rebuilt. Saddam Hussein had a great deal to do with its excavation. The irony is that the whole world in the form of UN peace keepers guards the city where God scattered the whole world. We cover this more in the Daniel Extremity journeys.

4. We have Daniel describing things prophetically to us during the rule of the Babylonian empire. 

Daniel Interprets the Dream

Dan 2:31-45 KJV  Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.  (32)  This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,  (33)  His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.  (34)  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.  (35)  Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.  (36)  This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.  (37)  Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.  (38)  And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.  (39)  And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.  (40)  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.  (41)  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.  (42)  And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.  (43)  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.  (44)  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.  (45)  Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Dan 5:13-31 KJV  Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?  (14)  I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.  (15)  And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:  (16)  And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.  (17)  Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.  (18)  O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:  (19)  And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.  (20)  But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:  (21)  And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.  (22)  And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;  (23)  But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:  (24)  Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.  (25)  And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.  (26)  This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  (27)  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  (28)  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.  (29)  Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.  (30)  In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.  (31)  And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Since we have detailed journeys involving chapters 13 and 14 of Isaiah we will not develop them here. We are progressing forward through the prophecies of Isaiah regarding the kingdom of Babylon. First let’s reopen our root verses for the journey.

Zec 2:8-9 KJV  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.  (9)  For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Keeping all this in mind we find ourselves exploring prophecies concerning Babylon in Isaiah 21.

Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon

Isa 21:1-17 KJV  The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.  (2)  A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.  (3)  Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.  (4)  My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.  (5)  Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.  (6)  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.  (7)  And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:  (8)  And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:  (9)  And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.  (10)  O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.  (11)  The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?  (12)  The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.  (13)  The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.  (14)  The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.  (15)  For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.  (16)  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:  (17)  And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

Let’s start a breakdown of Isaiah 21 and see what we find.

Isa 21:1  The burden of the desertH4057of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. 

The first thing we noticed was that Babylon is being called the desert of the sea. 

H4057
מִדְבָּר
midbâr
mid-bawr'
From H1696 in the sense of driving; a pasture (that is, open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication a desert; also speech (including its organs): - desert, south, speech, wilderness.

Total KJV occurrences: 271

Our 2 previous journeys also provided much of the same description for the Babylonian empire.

Isa 13:19-22 KJV  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.

Isa 14:9-17 KJV  Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.  (10)  All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?  (11)  Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.  (12)  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  (13)  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  (14)  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  (15)  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.  (16)  They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;  (17)  That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

One thing we must remember is that Isaiah is penning all this information regarding Babylon’s downfall 150 years early.

Isa 21:2 KJV  A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherousH898 dealer dealeth treacherouslyH898, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

We selected the word treacherous to look at for a moment. 

H898
בָּגַד
bâgad
baw-gad'
A primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively to act covertly; by implication to pillage: - deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress (-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful (-ly, man), X very.
Total KJV occurrences: 49

Let’s look at John Wesley’s notes on the verse.

Isaiah 21:2
A vision - A vision or prophecy, containing dreadful calamities which were to fall upon Babylon. The spoiler - The Medes and Persians used treachery as well as force against Babylon. Elam - Persia, so called, because Elam was an eminent province of Persia, bordering upon the Medes. Besiege - Namely, Babylon, Isa 21:9. The sighing - The sighing and groaning of God's people, and other nations under the oppressions of that cruel empire.

The Medes and Persians represented in Daniel 2 as the chest and arms of silver in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream chapter 2. Represented as the bear with 3 ribs in its mouth in Daniel 7. As the 2 horned ram chapter8 of Daniel.  

A couple of chapters ahead in chapter 24 there is a verse which will remind us of this one here in chapter 21. 

Isa 24:16 KJV  From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

O Lord, Be Gracious to Us

Isa 33:1-2 KJV  Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.  (2)  O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Back to chapter 21

Isa 21:3-6 KJV  Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.  (4)  My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.  (5)  Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.  (6)  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

When we see this passage a couple of others come to mind involving Ezekiel and the subject of the watchman.

A Watchman for Israel

Eze 3:16-21 KJV  And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (17)  Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.  (18)  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  (19)  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.  (20)  Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  (21)  Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel Is Israel's Watchman

Eze 33:1-9 KJV  Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (2)  Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:  (3)  If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;  (4)  Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.  (5)  He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.  (6)  But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.  (7)  So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.  (8)  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  (9)  Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Isa 21:7-9 KJV  And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:  (8)  And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:  (9)  And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Here in verse 9 the announcement of the fall of Babylon. However pay close attention to how many times Isaiah tells us it is fallen. It is fallen twice. This again as we stated earlier 150 years before the facts and the history played out. Let’s explore a couple of things briefly. One of the major things taking place right now in Iraq is that the Iranians are there. This is how  Babylon fell the first time. There was some help within on the ground. 

Iraq and Iran may have an alliance which will allow Iranian military and leadership control eventually. The other thing about this area right now is that our 3000 troops simply are not enough in Iraq and we should get out or act like we’re there for the long course. 

While we are exploring this journey right now Iran has taken a Norwegian oil tanker’s crew hostage.

Starting with Daniel 5 and the writing on the wall a pattern is set into place.

Dan 5:23-28 KJV  But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:  (24)  Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.  (25)  And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.  (26)  This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  (27)  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  (28)  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

The kingdom is numbered twice. Many commentaries state this is to emphasize confirmation. We believe it states the kingdom is numbered twice because it will play a major role in biblical prophecy in some fashion once again. 

Isa 21:9 KJV  And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

The repetition of the word fallen we again figure 2 times is implied. As we go further through the journeys regarding Babylon we will discover a pattern right up to the book of Revelation. 

With regards to subject of Babylon being a fallen kingdom here are a few appetizers.

Judgment on Babylon

Jer 50:1-2 KJV  The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.  (2)  Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

Jer 51:8 KJV  Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

Rev 14:8 KJV  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Rev 18:1-2 KJV  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.  (2)  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Back to Isaiah 21

Isa 21:10 KJV  O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. 

Many times throughout the prophets and with Jesus as well we see a spiritual reference to the sifting of nations if you please. Things like wheat from chaff and goats from sheep. We will look at a couple of quick examples. 

Isa 41:13-16 KJV  For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.  (14)  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.  (15)  Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.  (16)  Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 28:26-29 KJV  For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.  (27)  For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.  (28)  Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.  (29)  This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

The Parable of the Net

Mat 13:47-50 KJV  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:  (48)  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.  (49)  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,  (50)  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The Final Judgment

Mat 25:31-46 KJV  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  (32)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  (33)  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  (34)  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  (35)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  (36)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  (37)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  (38)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  (39)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  (40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  (41)  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  (42)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  (43)  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  (44)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  (45)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  (46)  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

These are just a few of the examples which involve a sifting or separation of good from evil.

Isa 21:11-12 KJV  The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?  (12)  The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

Let’s check out John Wesley’s notes for verse 11.

Isaiah 21:11
Dumah - Of Edom or Idumea. He - The people of Dumah, one of them in the name and by the appointment of the rest. Me - To the watchman: the prophet delivers his prophecy in the form of a dialogue between the people and the watchman. Seir - Out of Edom, which is frequently called Seir. Watchman - The watchman of Edom, whom they had set as people use to do in times of great danger. Night - The people are supposed to come to him very early in the morning, to enquire what had happened in the night; which shews a state of great perplexity and fear. Night - The repetition of the words, shew the greatness of their solicitude.

Isa 21:12 KJV  The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the nightH3915: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

Some of the other meanings associated to this word apply as well.

H3915
לַיְלָה    לֵיל    לַיִל
layil    lêyl    layelâh
lah'-yil, lale, lah'-yel-aw
From the same as H3883; properly a twist (away of the light), that is, night; figuratively adversity: - ([mid-]) night (season).

Total KJV occurrences: 233

Our earliest sighting of Dumah is found in Genesis 25. Dumah is the 5th son mentioned in the lineage of Ishmael. 

Gen 25:13-15 KJV  And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,  (14)  And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,  (15)  Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

For those who may be interested Osama in Ladin claimed he was a direct descendant of Ishmael through his son Kedar. 

Gen 16:7-16 KJV  And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.  (8)  And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.  (9)  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.  (10)  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.  (11)  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.  (12)  And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.  (13)  And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?  (14)  Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.  (15)  And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.  (16)  And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram. 

Gen 16:12 KJV  And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

Isa 21:13-15 KJV  The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.  (14)  The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.  (15)  For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

Isa 21:13 KJV  The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

There is not much about Arabia specifically in the scripture. It appears 8 times throughout 7 verses. Two of these passages have to do with the descriptions of Solomon’s wealth. The next here in Isaiah 21. Then in Jeremiah 25 Arabia as well as most other nations mentioned here are found. It’s a prophecy concerning the cup of the Lord’s wrath. Any how this is the breakdown if you wish on the verse search. In Ezekiel 27 Arabia is mentioned as a partner in commerce to Tyre. 

7 verses found, 8 matches
1 Kings 1 verse found 1 match
2 Chronicles 1 verse found 1 match
Isaiah 1 verse found 2 matches
Jeremiah 1 verse found 1 match
Ezekiel 1 verse found 1 match
Galatians 2 verses found 2 matches

Paul mentions it twice once in chapters 1 and 4 respectively. 

Dedan has a deep history rooted in the nations after the flood. It’s first found in Genesis 10. 

Gen_10:7  And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

As we can see Dedan was a grandson to Cush. This making him a great grandson of Ham.

However there is another Dedan in scripture. He was a grandson to Abraham in his final marriage to Keturah. 

1Ch_1:32  Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.

Dedan also found in Jeremiah 25 as well as Ezekiel 27. The search list for Dedan follows.

10 verses found, 11 matches
Genesis 2 verses found 3 matches
1 Chronicles 2 verses found 2 matches
Jeremiah 2 verses found 2 matches
Ezekiel 4 verses found 4 matches

Isa 21:14-15 KJV  The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.  (15)  For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

Gen 25:15 KJV  Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

Tema one of the 12 sons of Ishmael. Tema also will drink from the cup of the Lord’s wrath in Jeremiah 25. One of Job’s 3 friends was a Temanite.

Our passage closes out with another word concerning Kedar.

Isa 21:16-17 KJV  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:  (17)  And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

Joh 16:1-3 KJV  These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.  (2)  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  (3)  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Joh 16:4-15 KJV  But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.  (5)  But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?  (6)  But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.  (7)  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  (8)  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (9)  Of sin, because they believe not on me;  (10)  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  (11)  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.  (12)  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  (13)  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  (14)  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.  (15)  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Rev 16:15 KJV  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

As always thanks for sharing a word
God Bless