Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryIsaiah 21

The Doom of BabylonThis chapter gives another prophecy about the fall of Babylon. God repeats this message so that His people will not trust Babylon or fear them when they become powerful. Babylon’s destruction is a sign that God controls even the greatest empires. The prophecy calls Babylon the desert of the sea, because the land was flat and full of water, but it would one day become deserted. These warnings are also a picture of how God will defeat all evil in the end, much like the vision of Babylon in the book of Revelation (Isaiah 13:1-22 ).v. 1: God describes the coming attack against Babylon by the Medes and Persians. They will come quickly and powerfully, like a whirlwind from the desert. God will use even people from wild and terrible lands to carry out His plans .

v. 2: Elam (Persia) and Media are called to attack Babylon. Some of Babylon’s own leaders will betray it and help the enemy. This shows that those who deal harshly and unfairly with others will eventually be treated the same way themselves (Isaiah 21:2; Isaiah 33:1 ).

v. 3: The king of Babylon will be filled with pain and fear when the city is attacked. Just like Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall before the city fell, he will be terrified and his joy will turn to terror (Daniel 5:6 ).

v. 4: The night that was supposed to be full of pleasure and celebration will become a night of fear. Babylon’s pride and confidence will be destroyed suddenly, in the middle of their party and false security.

v. 5: The people of Babylon will be celebrating, eating and drinking, while their guards are on watch. They feel safe and are not expecting any danger, but their enemies are coming. They are unprepared for what is about to happen .

v. 6: God shows the prophet a vision of a watchman set on a tower to look out for news. Just like in the days of David and Jehu, the watchman’s job is to report what he sees as soon as possible (2 Samuel 18:24; 2 Kings 9:17 ).

v. 7–8: The watchman sees different chariots and horsemen, representing the armies coming to attack Babylon. He pays close attention and waits to report any important news. He cries out, maybe like a lion, to get everyone’s attention and to show the urgency of the message (Isaiah 21:7-8 ).

v. 9: Finally the message comes: Babylon is fallen, is fallen! All the graven images of her gods he has broken unto the ground . Babylon’s idols cannot save her. Her defeat is certain and complete (Isaiah 46:1-2 ).

v. 10: God speaks to His faithful people, calling them my threshing and the corn of my floor. This means that even though they suffer, God still cares for them. Their troubles are not forgotten. The message is trustworthy, because it comes from the Lord

The Watchman InterrogatedThis prophecy is short and a bit mysterious. It speaks about Dumah, which could be a part of Arabia, or maybe Idumea, the land of the Edomites. The passage is mainly a warning both to Israel and its neighbors. It teaches that we should not put our trust in other nations for help when we are in trouble, but trust in God alone. The question and answer in these verses remind us to be ready and pay attention to the times, seeking God for guidance and hope.v. 11: Someone from Seir (the land of Edom or Dumah) calls out to the watchman, asking, What of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The people are anxious and want to know if there is any hope that their dark time will end. This shows that even those outside Israel may seek truth and warning from God’s messengers. We must also ask, “Is it time to wake up from our spiritual sleep?” (Romans 13:11 ).

v. 12: The watchman answers, The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; return, come . He says that a time of light and peace will come, but another time of trouble will follow. Life is full of these changes—good days and hard nights. The watchman encourages everyone to make the most of any time of peace by turning to God and being ready for what may come next. He urges people not to delay, but to seek God and prepare their hearts while there is still time (Psalm 30:5 ).

The Doom of ArabiaThis prophecy warns the people of Arabia, a land southeast of Israel, about coming trouble. The people of Arabia were descendants of Abraham, and many lived in tents and took care of cattle. Some Jews may have hoped Arabia would be a safe barrier for them, but even Arabia would not escape God's judgment. The prophecy shows that no nation is safe from God's plans, and everyone must be ready for times of trouble.v. 13: The people of Dedan, who traveled in trade groups on the highways, will be forced to hide in the forests of Arabia to escape danger. Their usual safe journeys will become risky because of war.

v. 14: The people of Tema are told to bring water and food to the refugees from Dedan who are fleeing for their lives. The refugees are thirsty and hungry because they are running from the sword. This teaches us to help those in need and to show kindness to strangers (Job 6:19 ).

v. 15: The reason for this suffering is war. The people are running from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war . The invading army—likely from Assyria—brings great trouble and fear.

v. 16: God says that all this will happen very soon. Within a year, according to the years of a hireling—meaning exactly one year—the glory of Kedar will end. God’s timing is certain, and when He says something will happen, it always does .

v. 17: The strong warriors and skilled archers of Kedar will be few after this disaster. Their power and pride cannot save them from God’s judgment. The Lord