Topical Bible: Medo-Persian Kingdom: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Babylon

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Medo-Persian Kingdom, a significant empire in biblical history, is notably recognized for its prophesied conquest of Babylon. This event is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, fulfilling the words of the prophets and demonstrating the sovereignty of God over the nations.

Prophetic Predictions

The conquest of Babylon by the Medo-Persian Kingdom was foretold by several prophets, most prominently Isaiah and Jeremiah. These prophecies highlight the divine orchestration behind the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire and its role in executing judgment upon Babylon.

Isaiah's Prophecy

Isaiah, writing over a century before the event, vividly describes the fall of Babylon. In Isaiah 13:17-19 , the prophet declares, "Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. Their bows will dash the young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah."

Isaiah's prophecy emphasizes the Medes' role as instruments of divine judgment, highlighting their indifference to wealth and their ruthless approach to conquest. The comparison to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah underscores the totality of Babylon's impending downfall.

Jeremiah's Prophecy

Jeremiah also prophesies the fall of Babylon, providing further details about the Medo-Persian conquest. In Jeremiah 51:11 , it is written, "Sharpen the arrows! Take up the shields! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His purpose is to destroy Babylon. For it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for His temple."

Jeremiah's prophecy highlights the divine motivation behind the conquest, portraying it as an act of vengeance for the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem. The stirring of the Medes' spirit by the LORD signifies the divine initiative in orchestrating historical events to fulfill His purposes.

Daniel's Vision

The Book of Daniel also provides insight into the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon. In Daniel 5, the narrative describes the fall of Babylon during the reign of Belshazzar. The famous "writing on the wall" incident (Daniel 5:25-28) foretells the imminent end of the Babylonian kingdom: "This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."

Daniel's interpretation of the writing reveals the divine judgment upon Babylon and the transfer of power to the Medes and Persians. This event marks the fulfillment of earlier prophecies and the transition to a new era in biblical history.

Historical Fulfillment

The historical fulfillment of these prophecies is recorded in the annals of history. In 539 B.C., Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, led the Medo-Persian forces to conquer Babylon. The city fell with minimal resistance, as the Euphrates River, which ran through Babylon, was diverted, allowing the Persian army to enter the city. This strategic and seemingly effortless conquest aligns with the prophetic declarations of a swift and decisive victory.

The Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon stands as a testament to the accuracy of biblical prophecy and the unfolding of God's plan through the rise and fall of empires.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 21:1,2
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook