Isaiah 47:11

Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.

Isaiah 47:11 (KJV)

Context

Isaiah 47:11 is part of a prophetic oracle against Babylon, delivered by Isaiah. The chapter pronounces judgment on Babylon for its pride, arrogance, and oppression of God’s people. The verse declares that evil, mischief, and desolation will come upon Babylon suddenly and irresistibly.

Meaning

The phrase “evil shall come upon thee” refers to calamity and disaster as consequences of sin, not moral evil in the abstract. The judgment would come unexpectedly, catching Babylon off guard, and they would not know its source or be able to escape from it. The phrase “thou shalt not know from whence it riseth” indicates the sudden and unforeseen nature of the judgment.

The verse states that mischief or disaster would fall upon Babylon, and they would not be able to avoid or avert it. Despite their wealth, power, and cunning, they would be unable to prevent the calamity. The inability to “put it off” or “charm it away” emphasizes the total inadequacy of human and occult remedies.

The verse concludes by stating that desolation would come upon Babylon suddenly, without warning. The city would experience a swift and unexpected downfall, leading to its destruction. This emphasizes that the consequences of their actions would be severe and come upon them swiftly, leaving them in a state of shock and helplessness.

Biblical connections

The immediate context in Isaiah 47:10 highlights Babylon’s self-deception: it trusted in its wickedness and said, “None seeth me,” and its wisdom and knowledge perverted it, leading it to claim, “I am, and none else besides me.” The following verses (Isaiah 47:12-13) sarcastically challenge Babylon to rely on its enchantments, sorceries, astrologers, star-gazers, and monthly prognosticators to save it, but they will fail. This underscores that human wisdom, occult practices, and wealth are powerless against God’s judgment.

Application

While this verse was specifically addressed to Babylon, there are valuable lessons for today. It serves as a reminder that pride, oppression, and wickedness ultimately lead to destruction and judgment. It highlights the importance of humility, compassion, and righteousness in our interactions with others. Additionally, it underscores the significance of recognizing the consequences of our actions and the need for repentance when we have done wrong.

This passage warns against pride, self-reliance, and the illusion of security. It demonstrates that God alone is sovereign, and He will bring down the proud. For the Christian, this passage points to the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment, while also highlighting the need for humility and dependence on God. It contrasts the false security of Babylon with the true security found in God alone.