Do Not Love the World (Isaiah 21:1-24:23)
I was a worldly teenager. It affected my attire and also my music choices. As I grew older, I exchanged those old t-shirts and jeans for more “presentable” attire. My music tastes mellowed. This probably made it more tolerable for my parents. But I don’t think I was any less worldly. My problem with worldliness was deeper than my clothes and music. What does it mean to love the world? Theologian David Wells describes worldliness as a “system of values”. It has “as its centre our fallen human perspective, which displaces God and His truth from the world, and which makes sin look normal and righteousness seem strange.”
Worldliness goes beyond appearances. It has to do with how we think, what we want, what motivates us, and what we trust. Worldliness means living by the world’s values, treasuring what the world treasures.
Worldliness goes beyond appearances. It has to do with how we think, what we want, what motivates us, and what we trust. Worldliness means living by the world’s values, treasuring what the world treasures. We pursue the world’s priorities, plans, and pleasures. We share the world’s allegiances, ambitions, and anxieties. Worldliness can be subtle and deceptive. We may not even realise how we’ve bought into the ways of the world. In the science-fiction movie “The Matrix”, there is a scene where the hero Neo is offered a choice of either a red pill or a blue pill. If he takes the blue pill, life as he knows it will go on. He will remain blind to the reality that machines have actually taken over the world. But if Neo takes the red pill, then he will see the world as it really is.
God wants us to see the world as it truly is —to look past its glossy, glitzy exterior and see the reality behind the façade. Isaiah 21-24 were written to help us see the emptiness and futility of worldliness. The message of these chapters can be summed up by these verses in 1 John 2: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 Jn 2:15-17)”
Do not love the world, for God will judge the world and establish His kingdom.
Last week, we heard from Isaiah 13-20, which was the first cycle of oracles of judgements against the nations. Chapters 21-23 are the second cycle, which paves the way for Isaiah 24 — an oracle of judgement against the whole world. Here, Isaiah pulls back the curtain to reveal the nature of worldliness. These oracles are about the nations but they are addressed to Judah. God’s people then and now need to know the truth about the world, because we struggle with worldliness. Like Judah, we’re also tempted to trust in the world, not God. Therefore, Isaiah turns our thoughts Godward by showing us how God is the sovereign Judge of all. This world is passing away, but God’s kingdom endures forever. This is the big idea: Do not love the world, for God will judge the world and establish His kingdom. Four reasons not to love the world.
Worldly power cannot save (Isa 21)
Chapter 21 begins somewhat mysteriously. Look at Isaiah 21:1. This oracle concerns “the wilderness of the sea”. This refers to Babylon. Like the first cycle of oracles, the second cycle also begins with Babylon. Why focus on Babylon? In Isaiah’s time, Babylon was an emerging power. Judah was tempted to lean on Babylon as an ally against the might of Assyria. This is the reason why king Hezekiah of Judah gives the VIP treatment to envoys from Babylon (Isa. 39).
Who or what is our “Babylon”? What sort of worldly power impresses us, so that we’re tempted to trust in that instead of God? I used to live in Washington D.C, a city where many hope in political power and influence. Some trust in the power of governments to save the world. Some of us are impressed by economic or financial power. We’re awed by famous executives and entrepreneurs and long to learn the secrets of their success. We follow investment “gurus” who tell us where to put our money. Some are impressed by academic power. We want our children to go to the top schools. We measure a person’s worth by their academic credentials.
Worldly power may be alluring but it is powerless to save.
Worldly power may be alluring but it is powerless to save. Babylon is called “the wilderness of the sea” perhaps to highlight how it is a barren wasteland, and as unstable as the sea. The world isn’t worthy of our trust. God will judge Babylon. It will fall, along with all who put their faith in it. Look again at Isaiah 21:1. Judgement will come swiftly and suddenly, like the whirlwinds that cause sandstorms in the desert. The Babylonians will be taken by surprise. In Isaiah 21:5, the rulers of Babylon are too caught up indulging in food and drink to care. Worldly power gives us an illusion of control. It makes us proud and complacent. It dulls us to the reality of God’s judgement. The vision of Babylon’s coming judgement is so terrifying that Isaiah is physically affected (Isa 21:3-4). And this is but a small foretaste of the final judgement when Jesus returns. Do not make light of God’s judgement. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).
How should we live in view of the coming judgement? In Isaiah 21:6, the Lord commands Isaiah: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees.” This is the message: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground” (Isa 21:9b). Isaiah is to announce the bad news, so that people turn from worldly power and turn back to God, who saves through his promised King. Look at Isaiah 21:10. Isaiah is to speak what he has heard from the LORD, no more, no less. This good news will comfort those who have been threshed and winnowed by this world. The prophet is also to appoint other watchmen to proclaim the same message.
Our mission as God’s people is to be God’s faithful witness to the nations. The church must remain distinct from the nations. We can’t be a light of the world if we become like the world.
Beloved, this is our mission as God’s people: To be God’s faithful witness to the nations, the church must remain distinct from the nations. We can’t be a light of the world if we become like the world. So, don’t lean on worldly power. We are not of the world, but Jesus sends us into the world to make Him known. We are to faithfully speak of the coming judgement and how this world is passing away. But we can receive eternal life by believing in King Jesus, who died and rose from the dead to save sinners like us.
The world needs to hear God’s word because it waits in anxious silence. This is the meaning of the oracle concerning Dumah (Isa 21:11-12). Dumah means “silence”. This is an oracle about Edom, which asks, how much longer will the darkness of the night last? The reply comes in Isaiah 21:12: Morning will come, but not before still more darkness. This dark, silent world needs to hear the gospel and behold the light of Christ.
This world cannot offer us true, lasting security. This is the point of the oracle concerning Arabia (Isa 21:13-17). Tema (Isa 21:14) was an oasis city in Arabia. It was to offer help to refugees of war (Isa 21:15). But this refuge is short-lived. In less than a year, the Arabian tribe of Kedar will be destroyed (Isa 21:16). Worldly power cannot save. Amid the relentless grind of life, where do we find rest? This restless world cannot give us rest. Our hearts remain restless until we find our rest in Christ. He invites us to draw near: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laded, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28).”
Worldly confidence is insecure (Isa 22)
The next oracle concerns the valley of vision (Isa 22:1). Once again, the title is enigmatic. It refers to Jerusalem in Judah (Isa 22:8). It’s not just the other nations that are judged; God’s people themselves will not be spared. As we heard earlier from the Scripture reading, Jesus warned Jerusalem of coming judgement. As 1 Peter 4:17 says, “It is time for judgement to begin at the household of God.” Beware of being a “Christian” in name only — a nominal Christian. Not all who say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord” will enter God’s kingdom. So, examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Do we trust and obey God, submitting to His rule over every part of our lives? If we say we love God, then do we also love His people by joining a local church where we can regularly gather with, encourage, and serve God’s people?
By calling Jerusalem “the valley of vision”, God is being sarcastic. Mount Zion has been brought low into the valley of the shadow of death. Judah was supposed to have spiritual vision. But they have ignored God’s revelation and stopped listening to His word. Judah is blind to its own spiritual state. Jerusalem continues to celebrate: “You who are full of shoutings, tumultuous city, exultant town” (Isa 22:2). This is like Rome’s infamous emperor Nero, who is said to have been playing the fiddle while his city burned to the ground. How have we also gotten spiritually complacent? With Good Friday and Easter approaching, let’s use this week to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How are we following Him?
Severe judgement is coming upon Jerusalem. Isaiah grieves “concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people” (Isa 22:4b). Isaiah 22:5, 8 writes: “For the Lord GOD of hosts has a day of tumult and trampling and confusion in the valley of vision… He has taken away the covering of Judah." God will remove Judah’s protection. Yet, Judah will choose to turn to worldly confidence rather than to trust in the Lord. If we are not careful to seek the Lord, tough times can lead us further away from Him.
Judah shows its worldly confidence in two ways. Firstly, through activism. The people busy themselves with planning and doing. This is what’s happening in Isaiah 22:9-11. To prepare for the defence of Jerusalem, the people get caught up in a frenzy of activity. They prepare weapons, inspect the defences, demolish houses to strengthen the city wall, store up water and build a reservoir. What’s missing? Look at Isaiah 22:11b: “But you did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago.”
Do we plan better than we pray? Do we replace trusting the Lord with methods, techniques, programmes and activities?
For self-confident and self-sufficient Judah, salvation became a DIY project. They did not need God. Why rely on God when there are walls, weapons, and water? Often, the more we have, the less inclined we are to lean on God. We even turn God’s blessings into idols that we trust in. We forget God, imagining we can help ourselves. When trials come, do we launch into problem-solving and trouble-shooting without turning to God in humble dependence for wisdom and strength? Do we plan better than we pray? Do we replace trusting the Lord with methods, techniques, programmes and activities? Like Martha in the New Testament, our busyness distracts us from the one thing that is necessary: hearing and heeding God and His word.
Worldly confidence imagines we can live for ourselves and not be accountable to God.
The second way Judah shows its worldly confidence is through escapism (Isa 22:12-13). Instead of repentance and faith, the people try to forget their troubles in self-indulgence. Knowing that life is short ought to make us more urgent in seeking the Lord. But it can make us more self-centred in living for ourselves. We selfishly seek to maximise our own pleasure and comfort. We give ourselves to entertainment, hobbies, and experiences (e.g. holidays, travel, food, wine, etc.). We want our best life now. We fear missing out because you only live once. Worldly confidence imagines we can live for ourselves and not be accountable to God. But He will judge and the wages of sin is death — “This iniquity will not be atoned for you until you die” (Isa 22:14).
Isaiah 22:15-25 present us with the negative example of Shebna, who epitomises such worldly confidence. As a high-ranking official, Shebna sees himself as a self-made man. His life ambition is to make a name for himself. He buys fancy cars and prepares a grand tomb for His burial. His example shows us the end of those who live for themselves: “Behold, the LORD will hurl you away violently, O you strong man. He will seize firm hold on you and whirl you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a wide land. (Isa 22:17-18a)”
Another ruler, Eliakim, is not like Shebna. He rules faithfully, and God will honour him (Isa 22:20-23). But even so, we are warned against putting our confidence in man. Look at Isaiah 22:25: “In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a secure place will give way, and it will be cut down and fall, and the load that was on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken.” “Even the best of human rulers cannot bear the weight we put on them. Worldly confidence is insecure. Trust God, not man.
Worldly wealth will perish (Isa 23)
The wealthy trading nation of Tyre is the focus of the next oracle. Tyre was “the merchant of the nations” (Isa 23:3b), a centre of commerce and business. Because of this, Tyre was very rich and influential. It was like the Singapore of the ancient world. Top entertainers probably had concerts there. If Babylon was the centre of military might, then Tyre was the centre of economic power. Both nations sum up all that is impressive and alluring in the world.
But Tyre will be judged, as described in Isaiah 23:1-7. Tyre is laid waste (Isa 23:1). Isaiah 23:9 tells us why: “The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonour all the honoured of the earth.” Tyre boasted of its worldly wealth. The power of money makes us think we don’t need God, because we have the means to do what we want. But what will it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul? The world honours the wealthy, but God will humble the proud who trust in their wealth. So, don’t live for the world’s approval. Seek the honour that comes from God, not man.
Today, the world economy continues to be rocked by many other shocks, from the bursting of the tech bubble to banking crises to COVID-19. Tyre’s crash, which plunged the world economy into chaos, is but one in a long series of economic woes. Worldly wealth doesn’t last.
Worldly wealth doesn’t last. We risk losing everything if we live for worldly wealth. It is unstable and unpredictable.
We risk losing everything if we live for worldly wealth. It is unstable and unpredictable. The sovereign God gives and takes away, bringing the nations to their knees. Look at Isaiah 23:11: “He has stretched out his hand over the sea; he has shaken the kingdoms.” The kingdoms of the world, which are so dependent on material prosperity, will be shaken. But God offers us a kingdom that cannot be shaken. If we repent of our worldliness and trust in King Jesus, we will receive an eternal kingdom that will never perish. Many of us are anxious about our jobs and livelihoods, about providing for our families. Some of have lost jobs and are looking for work. Don’t lose heart. Trust our Heavenly Father knows what we need. If God has given us His Son, then surely He will not fail to provide for our daily needs. So, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33). Missionary Jim Elliot, who was killed while serving in South America, said: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
God ultimately owns all the wealth of the nations. We are stewards, not owners. Wealth is a gift from God and finally belongs to Him.
We can be sure of this: God ultimately owns all the wealth of the nations. We are stewards, not owners. Wealth is a gift from God and finally belongs to Him. Tyre and the other nations prostitute themselves to pursue wealth, but it will all be in vain (Isa 23:17-18). Just as God purposed for Israel to plunder the Egyptians in the exodus, so God can re-purpose the wealth of the nations to provide for His people. Tyre’s wealth will be holy to the LORD.
So, don’t trust in worldly wealth. Trust in God, for the world and its fullness are His. Members of GBC, in a little while at our AGM we’ll be hearing about our church’s finances. Let’s give thanks for how God has been so faithful to provide abundantly for us. Let’s resolve to not be proud or anxious about money. Instead, let’s continue to be generous with our resources. Look at Isaiah 23:18. Wealth is not to be hoarded but used to provide for God’s people and for the growth of God’s kingdom.
Worldly kingdoms will fall (Isa 24)
Isaiah 24 begins a third cycle of oracles. The camera zooms out to give us a wide-angle view of God’s judgement on the entire earth (Isa 24:1,4). God is sovereign over all nations, indeed over the whole world.
Regardless of status or position, every single person in every segment of society will be judged (Isa 24:2). There will be no escape. This final judgement is certain “for the LORD has spoken this word” (Isa 24:3b). God cannot lie. What He says, He will do. The judgements on the nations preview the final judgement of the world. Why must God judge? Consider this scenario: You rent out your home and give your tenants specific instructions about how they should take care of the place. But they disregard you and trash your home. No doubt, you will take action, probably by evicting those irresponsible tenants and making them pay for damages. For justice’s sake, they must be held accountable. Similarly, God has made us in His image to worship Him and reflect His character. But we have rebelliously ignored God and chosen to live for ourselves rather than for our Creator. But our lives are not our own. God has given us breath that we might glorify him. He has entrusted His world to us to steward, but we have made a mess of His creation. Look at Isaiah 24:5: “The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.”
A day of judgement is coming. And, on that day, blessing will turn to curse, light will turn to darkness, joy will turn to sorrow
So, a day of judgement is coming. And, on that day, blessing will turn to curse, light will turn to darkness, joy will turn to sorrow (Isa 24:6-13). Isaiah 24:17-22 emphasise again that there will be no escaping God’s judgement. Not only the inhabitants of the earth, but also the host of heaven—the fallen angels and spiritual forces of evil — will be judged. Friends, judgement will surely come. How are we living now in view of that day? Whose kingdom will we live for today?
Worldly power cannot save. Worldly confidence is insecure. Worldly wealth will perish. Worldly kingdoms will fall. As the poet W.B. Yeats puts it, “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.”
Therefore, do not love the world. Do not hope in this world, for it is passing away. But we are not left without hope. There is a King who rules in perfect love and righteousness, whose kingdom will never end. In fact, judgement is coming because this King is Lord over heaven and earth. Isaiah 24:23 writes: “Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders.” He shall be glorified in judgement. All will have to submit to His rule. The kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of the Lord.
King Jesus will return to judge the world, but He graciously offers us peace now. He has come humbly on a colt, to lay down His life for undeserving rebels like us. Why would we continue to war against Him? Today is the day of salvation. We can flee from the wrath to come by taking refuge under the wings of King Jesus. He is the only Saviour. Jesus died to bear God’s judgement, so that we can be forgiven and brought back to God. He rose from the dead to give us life, if we repent of our sins and believe in Him.
For those who trust in King Jesus, His return will be an occasion for joy not terror. King Jesus is coming back to make right every wrong.
For those who trust in King Jesus, His return will be an occasion for joy not terror. King Jesus is coming back to make right every wrong. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. He will bring everlasting comfort and peace. Amid scenes of judgement, those who love the King’s appearing will rejoice. Look at Isaiah 24:14-16a: “They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west. Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.” Will we trust in King Jesus to be our Saviour today, or will He confront us as our Judge when He returns?