The latter words, for which your soul longed,
draw out what propelled Babylon to purchase what the merchants supplied: selfish longings. The Lord had created people for the glory of his name (Matthew 6:9); he had also drawn out that people were meant to love the neighbour as God loved people in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). But the super rich of Babylon were not interested in God’s glory or the neighbour’s well being; what made them tick was their own appetites (Revelation 18:7).
14 “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!”