There are two short oracles here, the first concerning Dumah in verses 11-12, and the second concerning Arabia in verses 13-17. They are closely related to one another, as we shall see.

Between Judah and Babylon lay the north Arabian Desert with its Bedouin tribes, its oases and its overland trade routes. Dumah, Dedan and Tema all lay in this region. The Babylonian envoys of chapter 39:1 probably passed this way en route to Judah in order to avoid going through the Assyrian heartland to the north, and as they did so, they no doubt tried t enlist the support of these desert tribes for their cause. If they succeeded, as they appear to have done, then the subsequent action taken by the Assyrians against Babylon would have serious repercussions for these people, and that appears to be the situation reflected here. The people of Dumah anxiously await news of what is happening (vv. 11-12). While further south, fleeing refugees seek food and water in Tema (vv. 13-14), Kedar in verses 16-17 is a collective term for the desert tribes in general, so that these final two verses really act as a conclusion to both oracles. They predict a sudden end (within one year) to the prosperity of these proud desert-dwellers, and the decimation of their fighting men. Their involvement with Babylon was soon to cost them dearly. Judah herself felt Sennacherib’s wrath at about this time (as we know from chapter 37), and escaped complete destruction only because of the Lord’s miraculous intervention (37:36).

The close connection with the preceding oracles against Babylon is confirmed by the watchman imagery of verses 11-12, but now it’s Isaiah himself who is the watchman. The one who calls to him from Seir (which is also Edom), a visionary figure, is probably a fugitive who has fled westward from Dumah. He receives a mysterious response (v. 12), but its implication is clear: no news yet; Dumah’s fate hangs in the balance. It is apparent, however, from verses 16-17, which way the balance finally tipped, not by accident, but by the sovereign determination of the Lord, the God of Israel.

Isaiah 21:11-17 Reflection Questions:

Why has Edom been a constant enemy of God’s people?

What does it say about the doctrine of election concerning Edom?

How are you doing in being a watchman (watching and waiting on the Lord)?