Isaiah 14
-This chapter, known as Israel’s
taunt, declares the LORD’s salvation as He will have compassion on Jacob and
again choose Israel settling them in their own land with strangers joining them
in attachment. Israel will take their captors captive and will rule over their
oppressors. The LORD will give them rest from their pain, turmoil, and harsh
service from their punishing enslavement. They will take up a taunt against the
king of Babylon declaring their victory from oppression and fury since the LORD
has broken the staff of the wicked. The whole earth will be at rest and will be
quiet and break forth into shouts of joy (Isaiah 14:1-7).
-The king of Babylon can be
interpreted as literal with some implications to Satan himself as we observe
the chapter especially in verses 12-14. God is shown as bringing this tyrant
down in His supreme authority. The oppressor is depicted as falling from heaven
as a once bright morning star of the dawn. This one has been cut down to the
earth in the LORD’s chastisement. This evil one has weaken the nations and lied
in his heart about ascending back to heaven and raising his throne above God’s.
This one seeks to make himself like the Most High. All of this wrecks of
satanic descriptions and can be taken as the evil one himself, who is the power
and influence of Babylon in biblical symbolism, history, and prophecy.
-It is gratifying to see in the
passage that the LORD will thrust this terrible one down to Sheol, to the
recesses of the pit (Isaiah 14:15, Revelation 20:1-3). Those who see this event
will gaze at this one and ponder over him, saying, “Is this the man who made
the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world a wilderness and
overthrew its cities, who did not allow his prisoners to go home (Isaiah 14:16-17)?”
While the kings of the earth lie peacefully in their tombs with glory, this one
will be “cast out of his tomb like a rejected branch clothed with the slain who
are pierced with a sword, who go down to the stones of the pit like a trampled
corpse (Isaiah 14:19).” This one will be divided from his fellow kings in the
grave because he ruined his country and left his people slain. God has risen up
against Babylon and the offspring of these evildoers are not to be mentioned
forevermore. These will not arise and take possession of the earth, but be
destroyed by the Almighty (Isaiah 14:20-23).
-Vengeance against Assyria,
Philistia, and all the nations completes the oracle in this chapter. God will
allow no one to frustrate His plans or intentions. He will help the helpless
and make a way for His people. “The LORD has founded Zion, and the afflicted of
His people will seek refuge in it (Isaiah 14:24-32). *Application* We must
realize the power of God over His creation and that all events are under His
authority. Don’t be weighed down by the evil, which is in this world. He has
and will overcome all that comes against Him and His people. Rest child of God,
rest and be secure in Him. Fear Him and take courage.
Verses to Memorize: Isaiah 14:12-15
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