Leaving Babylon

Isaiah 48:20

Leave Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with a shout of joy, proclaim this, let it go out to the end of the earth; announce, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!”

In the Old Testament, Babylon, is synonymous with sin and pride and often represents idolatry, cruelty, and greed. It is the picture of self-absorption and considers no one more important than self. Babylon was the oppressor of God’s people and is the new oppressor of God’s church. The prophets referred to the Chaldeans as the inhabitants of Babylon.

God allowed Israel to be taken captive by Babylon, which means “confusion or to confuse.” Indeed, selfish pride confuses us into thinking more of ourselves than we should and to consider only our own comforts above God’s word. When we cater to our own selfish desires or seek our own personal comfort rather than obeying God’s word, we fall prey to the captivity of Babylon.

God calls His people to come out of Babylon and to leave the land of the Chaldeans. He has redeemed us by the blood of Jesus, and we are not to stay in the comforts of captivity. True freedom and blessing are found when we leave our own selfish ambitions and forsake the stronghold of pride in order to follow Christ with our whole heart. When we flee from selfishness, confusion gives way to clarity, and God’s blessing and anointing are able to flow to us and through us, giving us real life.

Have a blessed day!