What happens to nations that despise God?
Map showing the Babylonian territory upon Hammurabi's ascension in 1792 BC and upon his death in 1750 BC (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud , and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isa 13:11). The passage before us is filled with descriptions of God’s wrath against a prideful and haughty people. Isaiah calls Babylon the “world” because it seemed to encompass the whole earth in its power and glory. It was a prideful city and refused to honor its Creator, and in due time it would be completely destroyed. The doctrine we draw from this prophecy is that it is impossible for us to escape punishment from the Lord if we are puffed up with vain confidence and flatter ourselves. Isaiah included every kind of pride in his charge against Babylon, from men thinking they were something they weren’t to admiring their own riches and despising others in comparison to them...