Judgment Must Begin at the House of God

In this chapter Isaiah is showing us God's care for his vine, the church, in times of great trial.

The particular illustration he uses is the care and protection of God's elect remnant in Israel during the time of their Babylonian captivity. God will destroy his enemies, those who persecute and oppress his church. And in the end the Lord will cause his Israel, the church of his elect, to blossom, and bud, and fill the earth. But, in order to accomplish these things, “Judgment must begin at the house of God."
In verses 7-13 Isaiah calls our attention to three things and assures us of them.

1. The Judgment of God's House (vv. 7-9).
   

2. The Destruction of Babylon (vv. 10-11).
   

3. The Salvation of God's Elect (vv. 12-13).