a. The gathering of Yahweh’s host for battle (13:1-5)

The call has gone out for the Lord’s hosts to gather to do battle against Babylon. This introduction employs what is known as “Day of the Lord” language. As such, it is a mixture of historical and suprahistorical references. The Lord’s army is made up of earthly warriors from faraway lands as well as some of the heavenly host, God’s holy ones from the ends of the heavens (vv.3-5).