Four nations were dealt with in Isaiah chapters 13 thru 16...Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, and Moab. I did some research to see when/if these prophecies had been fulfilled. Beginning with Babylon...
Chapter 13 is one of those prophecies like the "sign of Immanuel" that has both a near and distant meaning. Babylon did not come to prominence until about 100 years after Isaiah's prophecy. During his lifetime, Babylon was a province of Assyria. But in 609 BC, Babylon defeated Assyria. Four years later, Babylon deported the first group of Jews and completed the captivity in 587 BC. Isaiah pronounced judgement upon Babylon for this, and the "near" fulfillment took place in 518 BC when the Medes (specifically named in 13:9-13) together with Persia, conquered them. The Babylonian king was Nebuchudnezzar. The destruction they experienced at that time however, did not rise to the level of what is described, so many scholars have deemed the Assyrian seige as a partial fulfillment of the prophecy, to be completed to the full at some point in the distant future. The distant prophecy views Babylon as the "end-times" enemy and the king of Babylon as Satan. Verse 14:12 has been interpretted by many scholars as a reference to Satan as being the "son of the morning who has been cast out of heaven". The distant view interprets this passage as coinciding with the events of Revelation.
The prophecy regarding Assyria's judgment, as stated above, was fulfilled when Babylon defeated them.
We haven't read much about Philistia since David and Goliath but know that the two nations were long-term enemies. Isaiah's prophecy stated that Philistai should not rejoice "that the rod who struck you is broken- that the King who attacked you is dead". The rod/king is interpreted as being David's dynasty, which was broken with the death of Ahaz. The prophecy goes on to say that "from that snake a more poisonous snake will be born, a fiery serpent to destroy you". That "more poisonous snake" would be Assyria, who after conquering Israel would invade Philistia within 10 years.
Finally Moab. There had not been a history of great animosity between Israel and Moab, which explains why Isaiah was particularly saddened by the vision he received regarding their destruction. It seems the cause of Moab's judgment was idolatry, judging by verse 16:12. Isaiah was very specific in the timing of this judgment, predicting that it would occur within three years. Moab was also invaded by Assyria sometime between 715 and 713 BC, which fits the time frame.
Tomorrow's reading: 2 Chron. 27:3-31:21
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