Page 34 - Isaiah Student Worktext

V. 3 This is a beautiful picture of drawing water from the wells of salvation. It calls to mind the
encounter Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well, where He told her about Living Water.
(John 4: 14)

This water is living because we are free to drink from the well of Jesus at any time.

V. 4-6 Because of this gift we are to proclaim His praises and give our testimony of salvation so that
other people can draw from the well also.

These verses declare what we as believers should spend the remainder of our time on this earth
doing…shouting His praises.

Chapter 13 - Main Idea: God predicts the fall of Babylon almost two centuries before it
happened.

Christians have three relentless enemies that constantly wage war on our souls: the world, the flesh and
the devil. The devil is our personal enemy who prowls around seeking to destroy (1 Peter 5: 8)

Of course, the world and the flesh are tempted by, led by, the devil himself. All of us as sinners
contribute. We can see it in those without Christian principles in positions of power. We can see it in
pagan nations. We can see it in those who plot terrorist attacks and those who push the limits of
morality in the media.

It all boils down to this: rebellion against God. The name ‘Babylon’ has both literal and symbolic
meaning. There was a literal Babylon, which came about following the attempt at building the Tower of
Babel. But it is also symbolic. Peter called Rome ‘Babylon’ in 1 Peter 5: 13. There are many who claim
that the US is the new Babylon.

Isaiah 13 is a perfect example of the truth and accuracy of prophecy. It was written 150 years before the
actual event, but it is predicted and described in great accuracy.

The destruction of the literal city of Babylon came, but evil has risen again and again throughout history.
All this will culminate in the final destruction of the final Babylon in Revelation 18-19.

V. 1-2 The next two chapters are prophecies against the enemies of Israel, primarily Babylon but also
Assyria. The ‘burden’ refers to the prophecy of doom, which was a burden to Isaiah to have to bring the
news.

Still, he calls for Israel to lift up a banner to call people to the attack on their enemies.

V. 3 ‘Sanctified’ refers to those who have been set apart for a specific use. In reality, all believers are set
apart, but the specific use may change over time. Sanctification is a process that is complete only when
we get to Heaven.

In this case, they have been set apart to punish the enemies of Israel.

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