In Isaiah 47, God issues a decree against Babylon, but His words are not merely words. Isaiah 47:4 records three names of God that combine to make one powerful point. In just one verse, Isaiah calls God Redeemer, LORD of hosts and Holy One of Israel.
As Redeemer, God announces His right to act for Israel. When God gave His people the Law through Moses, He established the role of the kinsman-redeemer. (Leviticus 25:25) This role allowed the next-of-kin to act on behalf of his family in order to meet their needs. Here, the Lord acted for Israel's sake.
As Lord of hosts, God states His ability to act. He announces His almighty power, the embodiment of every possible potentiality and power.
As Holy One of Israel, God asserts his authority to act on behalf of His people. Because of His holiness, He has the position to enact justice.
Not only would this reminder give confidence to God's people that He is able to fulfill this prophecy against Babylon, but it would also clearly state who is responsible for the humbling of Babylon.
Babylon was a chosen agent of God to carry out His purposes for His people, (Isaiah 47:6) but Babylon refused to consider her role in God's economy. Instead, the nation sat comfortably and confident in her self-assigned place of deity, believing riches were her right and her future was secure. (Isaiah 47:8)
With her sorceries and spells, Babylon believed she controlled her own destiny, but this verse sets the record straight. Without warning, God's plan would unfold and take Babylon from a world power to the place of a slave. (Isaiah 47:1-3, 9)
And let's not miss the very first word of Isaiah 47:4, "Our." God wanted His people to know He isn't just a redeemer; He is their Redeemer.
While Isaiah 47 rings with the tone of judgment and wrath against Babylon, the true message of this chapter is God's grace to His people. Not only could God deliver Israel from the threat of its enemies, but He could also redeem them from their sinful choices and from the hands of a nation to whom they were given over as captives. He has the power to defend, deliver and restore.
Like Israel, no matter the situation we find ourselves in, we can remember that because of our God, our hope is always alive. God has the right, the ability and the authority to deliver us today the same way He did for Israel. In the midst of hardship and even punishment, God is always the God of His people — with the power to advocate for us, fight for us and deliver us.