'Go Forth Out of Babylon!'

When Babylon falls, will any Jews manifest the right heart condition? Will they take advantage of God's deliverance, return to their homeland, and restore pure worship?  Yes, Jehovah's next words show his confidence that this will happen.  "Go forth, you people, out of Babylon! Run away from the Chaldeans.  Tell forth even with the sound of a joyful cry, cause this to be heard. Make it to go forth to the extremity of the earth. Say:  'Jehovah has repurchased  his servant Jacob. And they did not get thirsty when he was making them walk even through devastated places. Water out of the rock he cause to flow forth for them, and he proceeded to split a rock that the water might stream forth.' "  (Isaiah 48:20, 21)  Jehovah's people are prophetically urged to depart from Babylon without delay.  (Jeremiah 50:8)  Their redemption must be made  known to the very ends of the earth.  (Jeremiah 31:10)  After the Exodus from Egypt, Jehovah provided for the needs of his people as they walked through the desert lands.  Similarly, he ill provide for his people as they make their way home from Babylon.-Deuteronomy 8:15, 16.

There is another vital principle that the Jews must bear in mind regarding Jehovah's saving deeds.  The righteously inclined may suffer because of their sins, but they will not be destroyed.  It is different, though, for the unrighteous.  " 'There is no peace,'  Jehovah has said, 'for the wicked ones.' " (Isaiah 48:22) Unrepentant sinners will not receive the peace that God has reserved for those who love him. Acts of salvation are not intended for the stubbornly wicked or the unbelieving. Such acts are only for those who have faith.  (Titus 1:15, 15; Revelation 22:14, 15) Peace from God is not the possession of the wicked.

In 537 B.C.E., the opportunity to leave Babylon brought great joy to faithful Israelites.  In 1919 the release of God's people from Babylonish captivity led to rejoicing on their part.  (Revelation 11:11, 12)  They were filled  with hope, and they seized the opportunity  to expand their activity. True, it required courage for that little band of Christians to take advantage of the new possibilities of preaching in a hostile world. But with Jehovah's help, they got down to the work of preaching the good news.  History testifies that Jehovah blessed them.

This part of Isaiah's prophecy stresses that Jehovah teaches us for our good.  it is very important to pay close attention to God's righteous decrees.  (Revelation 15:2-4) If we remind ourselves of God's wisdom and love, it will help us to conform to what Jehovah says is right. All his commands are for our benefit. -Isaiah 48:17, 18.

Next time: "A Time of Goodwill"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001