The Fall of Babylon

The more you know the history of the nations referenced in Isaiah, the more fascinating his prophecies are because you see how they were fulfilled. For example, read Isaiah's prophecy about the fall of Babylon in 21:1-10 after reading the following history from the People's Bible commentary:

"Cyrus [leading the Medes and Persians] conquered the ancient city of Babylon in 539 B.C. In this vision, Isaiah pictured the end of ancient Babylon quite accurately. The Euphrates River ran through the city, and the city was well fortified with thick walls. But an ancient historian wrote that the Persians under Cyrus diverted the Euphrates River and marched into the city on the old river bed while the Babylonians feasted in blind security behind their thick walls. Verse 5 is one version of these events. The Babylonians set tables, ate, and drank. Their officers should have been preparing for battle, but they were not. The end came suddenly and unexpectedly."

Looking back from our perspective of history and seeing how these predictions came true also is proof of God's power and the truth of his Word. It means the predictions of Isaiah and other prophets looking ahead to New Testament times and the end of the world are sure to come true as well, just as predicted.