February 9, 2022
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Reading along with us in Isaiah? Here’s today’s reading:
Isaiah 14 (NIV)
1 The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
once again he will choose Israel
and will settle them in their own land.
Foreigners will join them
and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
2 Nations will take them
and bring them to their own place.
And Israel will take possession of the nations
and make them male and female servants in the Lord’s land.
They will make captives of their captors
Isaiah 15
In all this judgement and destruction there is still mercy for Israel. Like us, Israel is undeserving of His mercy but we are His chosen and He always forgives.
The parallel used here about the king of Babylon and Satan is interesting. While Isaiah speaking in the present time to people who will truly understand the power of God to take down what they thought to be such a strong, powerful, and feared king; we too can be assured that no matter how strong the power of Satan can feel on this earth God will destroy him as well. Satan’s ultimate end is hell and eternal damnation so we must be prepared and on the side of victory with God and not let Satan’s appearance of power here on earth sway us from the one true path of eternal life with Christ!
This is quite an interesting chapter. It begins with proclaiming relief for Israel, God’s people. It is difficult to determine wether He is referring to the Northern Kingdom, Southern Kingdom or both. Jacob and Israel are usually terms associated with the Northern kingdom and yet the southern kingdom was judged by Babylon. After a time of exile and judgement, they will be returned to God’s favor and to the land. They will then be able to have a taunt against the king who had oppressed them. It is a consistent characteristic of Scripture that even in the context of proclaiming judgement on God’s people there is always hope provided about how God will restore them to their former self and relationship.
But once Babylon is judged for their misdeeds in the way that chapter 13 described, the people of Israel will be able to look at Babylon’s king, who appeared so mighty and powerful In his prime, as the weak, defeated, humiliated man before God. Everyone is brought to naught under His power and authority, even those who exalt themselves and appear great on this earth. And the nations of the world will be benefitted when the king of Babylon is defeated and he will face only the grave which is the fate of every human being. But then Isaiah seems to make a turn from talking about an earthly king to talking about a spiritual dynamic, about something that happened in the heavens. In the prophesy, Isaiah compares what has happened with the king of Babylon with the one who rebelled in heaven. Like the king of Babylon, Lucifer, the morning star, the glory of the angelic creation, allowed pride to enter his heart. Rather than accepting the station that he was created for, he desired to be God himself. He wanted to be the boss and be superior to God (much like the king of Babylon). So Lucifer was cast out of heaven and cast down from his position there (much like the king of Babylon was cast down because of His pride). And know the people look down at him because of his weakened and judged state. It matters not what anyone declares about themselves. What matters is what God says! His judgements, declarations and plans are what matter and all who oppose him will be brought low. So there is no reason to fear anyone but God, and the fear of God is a healthy fear that promotes the honor and respect that only God deserves!
And as goes satan and the king of Babylon, so goes Assyria and the Philistines too! God is king and He will overcome those who oppose Him and His people.
Isaiah 14
Israel will be restored to its own land. They will be brought back from exile and other nations will serve them. They look at Babylon and see it destroyed. We see the oppressive leaders in the pit, brought low.