The prophecy of Babylon's fall was reiterated by God through the prophet Isaiah. At first it seems not very clear by using the term "wilderness by the sea". On the one hand to describe the geographical condition of Babylon but on the other hand to present an empty, barren and arid image as if there was no life. The epitome of an empire that seems invincible but will eventually crumble.

The prophet received this vision with great trembling, fear, even pain. Somehow a nation would fall and the people within it would be scattered. From the courtiers to the common people. In the face of such unimaginable cruelty, everyone was swept up in it. Then the fall is described so vividly, "Babylon is fallen, and all her graven images are scattered on the ground." The reference to graven images is important to illustrate that the idols ultimately have no power. Then successively other nations are also prophesied to fall by Isaiah. Truly no power lasts forever.

Our reading this time again makes us realise that in the end, the only power that lasts forever is the power of God alone. Today we are also shown the arrogance of the world's rulers who find it so easy to turn the lives of their neighbours upside down. Whether it is through war or policies that only benefit a few. May they remember the temporariness of their power. As for us, the remembrance of the temporariness of the power of the world's rulers, makes us reaffirm our call to fight against injustice and hope in God alone, the Ruler of the World.