Isaiah: Chapters 20 & 21 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download  April's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Note" postings.

A fully armored soldier walks through a wheat field. Text overlay quotes Isaiah 21:5.

Contents:

  1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between MSG & MEV.
  2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
  3. Research The desert dwellers.
  4. Summary An approximately twenty word overview of the chapter.
  5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 21:5.
  6. Cross References Of Isaiah 21:5.
  7. Respond Based on reflections on God's character and my own.

Different Versions

I read Chapters 20 and 21 in The Message (MSG) and the Modern English Version (MEV). The Message is a paraphrase and the MEV is a word-for-word translation.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):
  • "field commander" MSG v. "Tartan" MEV. Isaiah 20:1.
  • "tempests drive through" MSG v. "whirlwinds (in the south)" MEV(KJV). Isaiah 21:1. *Both the MSG and MEV mention the Negev, but the KJV just says in the South.
  • "The Betrayer betrayed, the plunderer, plundered." MSG v. "the treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys." MEV. Isaiah 21:1. *The MSG makes it sound like justice is being served while the MEV makes the situation sound hopeless.
  • "Attack, Elam! Lay siege, Media! Persians, attack! Attack, Babylon!" MSG v. "Go up, Elam. Lay siege, O Media" MEV. Isaiah 21:2. *MSG might add Persia and Babylon for clarity? But it's still unclear what nations are attacking and which are defending. 
  • "The banquet is spread, the guests reclining in luxurious ease" MSG v. "Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower" MEV. Isaiah 21:5. *The MSG presents a scene of comfort and complacency while the MEV sets a tone of urgency. In Hebrew the second phrase is actually based on two words which both mean lay out, overlay, or spread. *Reclining to eat is more likely than watching from a watchtower given that the phrase is preceded by preparing a table and followed by eating and drinking.
  • "Just then, the lookout shouted" MSG v. "Then the watchman called" MEV. Isaiah 21:8. But in KJV "And he cried, A lion, My lord". In Hebrew, watchman/lookout are absent and only lion appears.
  • "The good news I get" MSG v. "What I have heard" MEV. Isaiah 21:10. *I'm not sure it's good news.
  • "in the desert badlands" MSG v. "In the forest of Arabia" MEV. Isaiah 21:13. *The desert badlands sounds harsher while the forest of Arabia almost peaceful. 

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.
  1. The Shame of Egypt and Ethiopia (Chapter 20)
    1. When Assyria took Ashdod, God had Isaiah walk about barefoot and naked to show what Assyria would do to Egypt and Ethiopia. (v1-4)
      1. ? Where is Ashdod?
      2. ? Why is Isaiah naked and barefoot? Did he actually walk around barefoot for three years? Would it represent shame and lack?
      3. ? How does Isaiah's nakedness and bare feet serve as a sign to Egypt and Ethiopia? 
      4. ? Does Assyria come to Egypt? Is it for war?
      5. ? Why are Egyptians described as captives but Ethiopians as exiles?
      6. ? Were the Egyptians and Ethiopians really paraded around with bared butts?
    2. Those who believed Egypt and Ethiopia would be their salvation will be confused, fearful and hopeless. (v5-6)
      1. ? Is this a continuation of chapter 18, the nation scattered and peeled, possibly Ethiopia?
  2. The Troubling Vision from the Desert (Chapter 21)
    1. A troubling vision of rapidly hard-hitting treachery and ruin comes from the desert by the sea. (v1-2)
      1. ? What desert? *R
      2. ! Then he turned to the crowd: "When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, 'Storm's coming' - and you're right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, 'This'll be a hot one' - and you're right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don't tell me you can't tell a change in the season. The God-season we're in right now. Luke 12:54-56 MSG
    2. God calls southern nations to action so suffering will end. (v2)
      1. ? Who is the betrayer/treacherous one and plunderer/destroyer? Is it Satan?
      2. ? What nations are attacking - Elam, Media, Persia, Babylon? What nations are suffering - Israel? *R
    3. Isaiah is overcome and undone by the sudden, unexpected, terrible vision. (v3-4)
      1. * It must be Israel, why else would Isaiah react so extremely?
    4. Get ready, be prepared, for you will be called to action suddenly. (v5)
    5. God directs a dependable watchman to be posted who immediately sees evidence of an army and responds urgently. (v6-9)
    6. News arrives that Babylon is fallen and forsaken, all its gods scattered on the floor. (v9)
      1. ? The desert dwellers attacked Babylon? *R
      2. ? Why were Babylon's idols destroyed?
    7. Israel, a nation oppressed and loved, this is a vision from God for you. (v10)
      1. ? Why would good news (MSG) be delivered in the middle of a fearful battle? 
    8. Edom longs to know when their trouble will end. The response is: soon, but not yet. (v11-12)
      1. ? Are Edom and Arabia affected by the desert dwellers too? *R
      2. ? Where is Edom? *R
      3. ? Is Isaiah the night watchmen? Who is calling - the Edomites?
    9. Assyria will be flooded with refugees and will care for them. (v13-15)
    10. All of Kedar's brutality will end within a year. (v16-17)
      1. ? Who is Kedar? Nomadic tribes of Arabia and possible descendants of Ishmael. (Ellicott, Barnes, Bible Gateway, History Files & Bible Atlas)

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.
Who are the desert dwellers (Isaiah 21)?

The Fall of Babylon 

  • For your reference, use this map of the Ancient Middle East from Britannica or this map from Blue Letter Bible.
  • Babylon is being attacked by Media and Elam, which are in Persia or modern day Iran. (Poole , Barnes & Enduring Word)
    • The plains of Babylon are divided with lakes and marshes so it was called the "wilderness [desert] of the sea". Sea meant any body of water. (Enduring Word)
    • The southern whirlwinds are metaphorical and in no way mean the attack comes from the south. (Barnes and Ellicott) Although, Keil and Delitzsch suggest the Medo-Persian army may have marched and attacked from the south.
    • Media and Elam were referenced as terrible lands because they were beyond the circle of civilized nations. (Keil and Delitzsch)
  • In 539 B.C., Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon. Within Babylon resided thousands of  exiled Jews, displaced by King Nebuchadnezzar. (History.com)
The Attack on Arabia
*Conclusions: It seems the desert dwellers are the Persians. Their attack resulted in the fall of Babylon and upheaval in Arabia. See this map of the Persian Empire from Jesus Walk which shows all three nations mentioned in this chapter (Babylon, Edom, and Kedar) under Persian rule in the time of Cyrus.

Summary

Egypt and Ethiopia are shamed. The northern nations are struck quickly and ruthlessly. God assures Isaiah it will end soon.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 21:5.
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

So many directives are contained in this one verse. This is a verse of action! We're not to be sleepy, but active. Wake up! Get on your feet!


Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of Isaiah 21:5:

"Prepare the table..."
  • Psalm 23:4 KJV: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
  • Exodus 40:4 MSG: "Bring in the Table and set it, arranging its Lampstand and lamps." (*The table in the tabernacle and later temple were prepared with bread and lamps.)
  • Eating at a king's table signified favor. (See 2 Samuel 9:7-13; I Kings 4:27; I Kings 18:19)
*Conclusions: As we prepare for war, God invites us to sit at His table and take time to remember that 1) we are favored by Him...

...watch in the watchtower...

*Conclusions: ...2) covered truly in His righteousness....

...eat...

*Conclusions: ... 3) provided with Godly nourishment...

...drink...

*Conclusions: ... 4) and living water full of blessings...

 ...arise...

*Conclusions: To give us strength to commit...   
...ye princes,...

  • Princes of Pharoah in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. (Genesis 12:15, Genesis 37, Exodus 1:11; 2:14)
  • Commanders of the Philistines like Abimelek, (Genesis 21:22-32)
  • Leaders Moses appoints with the help of Jethro (Exodus 18)
  • You: I Peter 2:9 KJV: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
*Conclusions: ...to accept the authority You've bestowed upon us...

...and anoint...

  • Genesis 31:13 KJV: I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and whre thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
  • Exodus 28:41 KJV: And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
  • Exodus 29:2 KJV: And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.  
*Conclusions: ...by dedicating our service to You....

...the shield." 

  • Preparing for warfare includes knowing your shield is trustworthy. (I King 10:17, 14:26-27) 
  • God is our shield when we trust Him. Genesis 15:1 KJV: After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (See also Deuteronomy 33:29, 2 Samuel 22:3, 31 & 36)
  • But is not when we don't. Judges 5:8 KJV: They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
  • So, "Above all, [take] the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Ephesians 6:16
*Conclusions: ...knowing You go before us to defend us and make our paths straight.

*Conclusions: There are two ways this verse can be interpreted: 1) They feast unaware that battle is at the doorstep and then urgently transition to war. 2) It outlines the steps to prepare for spiritual warfare. The second is my preference.

 

Respond

  1. God warns us. I fail to see His warnings, don't know what to look for, and don't think I need to be warned. I can pray that He opens my eyes, helps me to understand, and guides me in how to proceed. I will choose to abide in God, trust Him, and believe that He will warn me in a way I understand when He needs me to move.
  2. God does not follow the plans of men. Oh, how I try to make Him agree to my plans through dictated prayers and self-directed choices. And the story of the Israelites bringing the ark of the covenant to war against the Philistines reminds me I'm not alone (I Samuel 4). But, I need to learn to seek God's guidance, defer to His plans, and trust His timing instead of taking matters into my own hands. 
  3. God protects us. I need His protection. I get caught in the cycle of life and move forward forgetting how important it is to take time to gear up in God. I need to make it a habit to take time to remember who I am to God and recommit in response to His favor. He covers me in His righteousness, nourishes me, and fills me with JOY, so I have strength to firmly commit to walking faithfully in the direction of His anointing. 

In Closing

You are God in heaven and we are here on earth. We take our lives into our own hands and forget You are sovereign over all. Today, we come in surrender. We surrender our lives, our plans, our control to You because we wholly trust You who formed us, knitting us together. You who keep our walls before You, writing our names on your hands. You, the I am who sees from beginning to end, leading the heavenly hosts. Today, we recommit to Your service and arise to Your anointing.

Learning with You,

Ready for Chapter 22?

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