Isaiah 14:1-2
These first two verses serve as a reminder after the previous oracle of destruction of Babylon and the world. The Lord will have mercy; this isn't based on anything Israel has done or will do. It is based on the choice and goodness of God. God will have compassion on Israel and will bring them back and set them in the land. Israel will settle in the land along with the Gentiles. Those that once oppressed Israel will become slave to them. Israel will be oppressed by the entire world under the anti-Christ in the tribulation. Then there will be a reversal of roles and they will rule over their oppressors.
Isaiah 14:3-11
Isaiah told the people that 'in the day of the Lord' they would have rest from their sorrow, fear and bondage. This will move them to take up this proverb against the king of Babylon. This is a taunt aimed at this king and his city;
- The golden city of Babylon ceased. The king had no palace, capital to rule from.
- His staff is broken; this will be a king without power. A king with nothing to rule over is nothing but a former king.
- The king had once been the persecutor will become the persecuted. No one will interfere with this.
All the earth will rejoice over the fall of the king and his city. All those under the earth welcome him to the abode of the dead. In each case, we see those on the earth and under the earth that the king once took authority over, now welcomed him as an equal. All the arrogance and worldly pomp means nothing at death. The maggots and worms would cover his flesh like any other dead man.
God used the nations for his will (and still does). Don't get comfortable with the power you have today, the worldly power can fade away so fast. See Jeremiah 50-51 for prophecy about Babylon. Also see Zechariah 5:5-10. In the end it is meaningless.
Isaiah 14:12-15
The king of Babylon would fall, he would suddenly be just like all the other fallen kings. All the power and might he once had would become meaningless. The ultimate fulfillment of the king of the earth was fulfilled at the fall of Satan. In many prophecies we see a near fulfillment and look to the future for the ultimate fulfillment. In this one, we can look at the near prophecy and look to the distant past for the ultimate fulfillment. Satan, who desired to reign like God, who left his place and ministry to be cast from heaven and rule the earth. Once beautiful, once powerful, once full of pride and arrogance; now defeated and destined to a lake of fire.
The name 'Lucifer' has become understood as Satan; however the Hebrew word means Venus. Lucifer was the Latin translation of this Hebrew word. The morning star was a bright star seen at the break of dawn, probably Venus. The 'son of the morning' phrase is a link to a god of Canaanite mythology. It's a taunt toward this king for seeing himself as a god. The attitude and desire to ascend to heaven is reminiscent of the pride of those who built the tower of babel. It was a desire to ascend to heaven and rule over God and take possession of His throne. The stars of God are heavenly beings; some see this as the council of God. Satan wants to rule over that council, as the king of Babylon and many other kings of the earth have done. All have fallen, will fall and only one can reign perfectly and that is Christ.
The 'mount of congregation' is the idea of the meeting place of the divine council. This is the throne of power that Lucifer wants to possess. The Canaanite mythology defines a northern mountain as the seat of gods. This sacred mountain was Zaphon (meaning north). The Hebrews see Mount Zion as the seat of God; see Psalm 48:2 – even though it is found in the south, it is called the holy mountain to the north.
In the king's heart, he said:
- I will ascend…..
- I will exalt….
- I will sit…..
- I will ascend…..
- I will be like…..
This prideful and rebellious heart is portrayed in so many wicked rulers across the ages. This king, will be brought down to the pit. There is a power behind every power. The power behind the king of Babylon is revealed by the attitude that he wanted to be like God.
Satan, or Lucifer, was an angel of light that was cast down from heaven. Satan, like the King of Babylon, said that he would ascend to heaven. He proclaimed himself to be God and thought he could raise his thrown beyond that of God's.
Jesus referred to verse 12 in Luke 10:18 to describe the fall of Satan. Ezekiel 28 uses very similar language to describe the King of Tyre.
Isaiah 14:16-17
The reversal of this rulers life is authenticated with the taunt from those who see him in hell. They would say:
- He once made the earth tremble.
- He shook entire kingdoms
- He destroyed the land
- He destroyed the cities.
It's as if they were saying, "Now look at him! He's not much to be afraid of any longer."
Isaiah 14:18-23
The other kings were buried in glory and with honor as former kings. The king of Babylon would be like a corpse trodden underfoot; this was incredibly dishonorable. He would be cast out of the grave. Slaughter was to be prepared for his children, "Lest they rise up". This is similar language used in dealing with the rebellion of the tower of babel.
The royal line of this king would be cut off. Because of his iniquity against the people and the Lord, God would rise against them and cut them off. The Lord will sweep Babylon with the broom of destruction.
This once great and honored power is nothing but an abominable branch cut off, cast out and trodden under foot in death. This royal line would be disgraced and cut off. Christ, the King of kings, was dishonored on the earth, exercising no power or authority over the earthly thrones. He was the honorable branch of Jesse that is now lifted up, victorious, all powerful and coming again to rule supreme! His royal line will reign forever!
Isaiah 14:24-27
The Lord says as He plans it, it will be. His purpose will stand. The initial thought of the Assyrian might be a reference to their power to threaten them in Isaiah's day. God says He will tread him underfoot on His mountain (Jerusalem). The purpose was for the entire earth, not just the nation of Israel, so this might be a reference to the Day of the Lord.
The Assyrian is many times a reference to the coming world leader that will be revealed as the anti-Christ. Nothing can change the plans of the Lord.
Isaiah 14:28-32
Isaiah warned Phlistia not to rejoice over the oppression of Israel. Israel was weak when Assyria defeated them but God maintained them by His grace. King Ahaz was a puppet King under Assyrian rule. While they might feel good about Israel, their enemy, being attacked by Assyria, they too would be attacked; but they would be completely destroyed.
The root of the serpent is interesting in contrast to the root of David. This power of Assyria has its roots in evil from Satan. The reference to the fiery flying serpent is a strange one. It's the singular for a plural word Seraphim used to describe heavenly beings. It may just be metaphorical language for an Assyrian king. Sargon would defeat the rebellions of Philistia.
The smoke from the north is the clouds of dust from the Assyrian army coming from the north. The news of Zion is that it is the Lords; and His people will find refuge there.
©2018 Doug Ford
Facebook