Urbana Friends Church

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Isaiah 14 and Lucifer Closing Thoughts

It was a month ago now that we began our study on Isaiah 14 and we are finally going to finish it! Chapter 13 began a new section in Isaiah that is commonly referred to as “The Oracles Against the Nations”. This gives us a frame of reference of what exactly we will be talking about in the weeks to come as we study Isaiah. The OAN (Oracles Against the Nations) are written with the idea that God will bring justice and condemnation to those who have come against His chosen people of Israel. They were written not just as a warning to the offending nations but also, and more importantly to the author of the text, to bolster an encouragement and a hope to a battered and lost nation of Israel. It showed them that God was still on their side, and that God still had a plan for them. For us today, it ought to be a reminder that an OAN has gone out for the enemies and stumbling blocks in our current lives as well. Many times we feel defeated by our circumstances. We deal with death, disease, and a whole host of issues that come with human interaction. Many people are waging battles in their own minds on a daily basis while others feel like they are losing their fight in a world that doesn’t care about them. But Christ came to wage war against the Nations of sin and shame, greed and malice, of poverty and depression, of brokenness and disease! And he has already claimed the victory! We who are in Christ also claim that victory as we are resurrected with him who had power to save us. Amen.

It has taken us so long to get through Isaiah 14 because we were sidetracked by the name “Lucifer” in v. 12. We have discussed that this name is improperly attributed to Satan and should be seen in reference to the king of Babylon. With that in mind, let’s do a brief reread through 14:3-23:

  • V. 3 speaking about the remnant of Israel that God promises to make rulers over their oppressors

  • Vv. 4-6 God enacting justice by breaking the staff and scepter, giving the imagery of removing them from authority; it was necessary as the rulers had burdened the people and even the earth as the king of Babylon showed mercy to no one and nothing

  • Vv. 7-8 the very earth is breathing a sigh of relief that the Babylonians are no longer trampling it and the trees praise God that no one is cutting them down

  • Vv. 9-11 Death is excited to greet a feared and evil king of life and welcome him to a torturous death separated from both God and from the fame he gained for himself.

  • Vv. 12-15 We see that the fall of Babylon can be traced to the sin of pride and arrogance, the king felt as though he could ascend to heights above God but he does not perceive that God granted him the ability to rule to begin with; but the pride that brought visions of lofty heights instead brought them to the depths of Sheol

  • Vv. 16-17 When people see the ruins of powerful Babylon they will be skeptical that the stories about them are true

  • Vv. 18-20 Their is no honor for Babylon after it’s death because they were merciless

  • Vv. 21-23 Babylon will be completely cut off and destroyed, there will not even be a remnant offspring so there is no chance Babylon could return 

It is an incredible act of God to destroy such a powerful nation, one that kings after would desire to emulate in power and affluence. They had built their kingdom to the heavens, but God allowed them their 15 seconds of fame and cut them down because of their lust for power and ungodly ways rooted in pride and showing no mercy. 

Let’s read through the last two sections in Isaiah 14 and finish with some concluding thoughts.

Vv. 24-27 Oracle against Assyria

  • Assyria was a powerful nation and yet here God barely speaks towards them, gives somewhat of a matter of fact tone that God is going to destroy them and make it look easy

  • We see a lot about the plans and purposes of God and that they are unable to be wavered or moved, gives sense that our God King is stronger than a human god king; Proverbs 19:21

Vv. 28-32 Oracle Concerning Philistia

  • Came at the death of King Ahaz in 2 Kings 16:20

  • Philistia was also being beaten at this time and this was a reminder that just because one bad nation was destroyed, it did not mean another would not follow

  • They were evil in the sight of the Lord and God is planning to dry up their descendants so that their nation will be no more

  • Their persecution will come from a powerful nation to the north

  • Zion is for the people chosen by God

These three oracles leave us with some interesting theology and conclusions that we can make about the power and ways of God.

  1. God has power over any government and ruler:although it is common Christian understanding that Satan has some influence in places of power and that he does pull some strings, we need to remember that it is God that allows humans to have any form of power and that He is the authority over it all. Therefore we need not fear any evil because we are working in God’s dominion and he gives and takes as needed. The greatest of kingdoms and most powerful kings have no comparison to the King of kings. All nations bow to our God. 

  2. God has a plan:We seem to be confused a lot by the comings and goings of the minor details of this world. We lose sight of the bigger picture. I am obviously not claiming that we have a grasp on all that God has planned, but He has revealed enough that we ought to be more confident in him. These OAN are meant to bring a joy to a persecuted people, God’s chosen people. But by Christ’s work we have been grafted into the family of God and are heirs to the King. The Church is God’s chosen people! And by Christ’s death he has defeated our oppressors and by his resurrection we are promised a life free of the persecution of this world. We need that bigger picture of the plan that has already been revealed!

  3. Death: Death is something that strikes fear, confusion, and questions into many people. It is why that moments like our current one cause us to panic. Even the most powerful people in the world do not look forward to death and avoid it. Christians should be the exception and ought to take the mindset of Paul and welcome it. I am not preaching recklessness, but instead life. Death has no hold on a Christian and therefore we should have no fear. All bodies will die but few know the way to life. Kings search far and wide for an abundant life but no riches or land fulfill them, always wanting more. But the Christian is content knowing they are royalty in a kingdom that contains riches that are expressed through the deepest parts of humanity: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. What a beautiful kingdom, filled with the glory of the Creator. Many people spend their lives looking for ways to defy aging and death, but the Christian has found a way for a joyful everlasting life: by the dying to self and taking on instead the covering of Christ.