Slideshow image

Overview

Isaiah 14 continues the vision of Isaiah 13, which is primarily about the fall of Babylon. But here Isaiah focuses on the demise of the King of Babylon. 

Isaiah 14:1-2

For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the Lord's land as male and female slaves. They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them.

God’s people will rise again from the ashes. They will be restored and ultimately rule over those who oppressed them. It is hard not to read Isaiah and be filled with hope. God is in charge. He will set everything right in the end. 

Isaiah 14:3-7

When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:

“How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased! The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers, that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution. The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing.” 

Here we are introduced to the King of Babylon. We are unsure of his identity. Many say it was King Belshazzar, who reigned in the days of Daniel and who died at the hands of Darius the Mede. Whether that is true or not, look at verse 7. I love this sentence. “The whole earth is at rest and quiet.” The demise of the King of Babylon brought rest to the world. The oppressor was gone. Righteousness can reign. The inhabitants of the earth sing. What a peaceful scene!

Isaiah 14:12-15

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.”

Is this talking about the historical King of Babylon? Or maybe someone else? I believe this is another example of the “double referent”. This is both a reference to the historical King of Babylon and to Satan, the great demon, the spiritual King of Babylon. 

If this is the right interpretation, then we are given a glimpse into what happened in the beginning. God created the angelic realm. They were all good. Perfect servants. Messengers of the Most High. But then pride crept into the heart of Satan. He wanted to be King. He wanted to be God. But God sent him down, removing him from the glories of Heaven. His domain was to be on the earth. His authority is vast, but it is not unlimited. God still has him on a chain. But he is allowed to run, to devour, to destroy. He is our enemy. He wants our souls. 

Isaiah 14:26-27

This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.

For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

The rest of Isaiah 14 contains two oracles concerning Assyria and Philistia. The nations will fall. The hand of God will be heavy on them. Be assured, it will happen. 

So what about us? The truth is: The United States will also fall someday. There will only be one kingdom: God’s kingdom. 

But on a spiritual plane, Satan, the King of Babylon, the god of this earth, he will also fall. Someday he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. And though he has authority in this world, he does not have authority over us. Remember friend, the words of the apostle John.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).