The Burden of Babylon, vv. 1-10
A. The Desert of the Sea–>the flood waters of Euphrates and Tigris Rivers looked like a sea in the middle of the desert, v. 1.
B. Elam and Media were ancient names of the people of the Persian Empire, modern-day Iran, v. 2.
C. The Fall of Babylon, vv. 3-10
1. The attack, vv. 5-7–the party table is a reference to Belshazzar’s banquet in Daniel 5.
2. The announcement, vv. 8-10–Babylon is fallen!
The Burden of Edom, vv. 11-12
A. Dumah was another ancient name for Edom in the mountain region of Seir.
B. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother.
C. The watchman watches for the invasion of God’s judgment.
The Burden of Arabia, vv. 13-17
A. The Dedanim were descendants of Abraham by Keturah; they were nomads of Arabia, fleeing from the judgment of war, v. 15, Genesis 25:3..
B. Inhabitants of Tema were descendants of Abraham through Hagar and Ishmael, v. 14, Genesis 25:3.
C. The refugees from war have no water or bread.
D. Within a year, Kedar, descendants of Abraham by Hagar through Ishmael (Genesis 25:13), will be captives of the Assyrian Empire.