Isaiah 14
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CHAPTER 14
A Prophecy Against Babylon, Continued (14:1–23)
1 Here Isaiah says that the fall of Babylon will be linked with the restoration of Israel. The LORD . . . once again . . . will choose Israel. God had first chosen Israel back in Egypt; He had made a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:3–8). He had led the Israelites to the promised land and had protected and prospered them there, in accordance with His covenant promises (Leviticus 26:3–13). But because of their unfaithfulness to His covenant, God punished His people and sent them into exile. During those years of exile in Babylon, it certainly seemed as if God had canceled His covenant with Israel. But here, years before the Exile even took place, Isaiah assures his readers that God will not break His covenant nor withdraw His compassion from His people. A remnant will be preserved and will return to the land (Isaiah 10:20–21).
2 After God’s people have returned to their own place, they will once again become powerful and possess the nations . . . and rule over their oppressors. This part of Isaiah’s prophecy has not yet taken place. Isaiah shows us that the return of the remnant will open the way for God to fulfill His ultimate purpose for Israel—namely, that Israel be a blessing to all the peoples of the world. Thus the return of the exiles from Babylon is a foreshadowing of the establishment of the Messianic kingdom still to come.
3–11 In verses 3–21, Isaiah recites a taunt song against the king of Babylon (verses 3–4) to the effect that no matter how great he thought himself to be, he would end up in the same place all other worldly rulers end up—the grave78 (verse 9).
12–17 Ancient kings often fancied themselves as gods. But the higher they exalted themselves, the less like God they became. When the true God became a man, instead of exalting Himself He humbled Himself79 (Philippians 2:5–11).
The king of Babylon said in his heart: “I will ascend to heaven” (verse 13). He had the same thought as those who built the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4). The name Babel is the He brew word for Babylon(Genesis11:9). From “Babel” to “Babylon” human nature hadn’t changed!
In verses 12–15, Isaiah shows us a fundamental sin of mankind: the desire to put oneself in the place of God.80 We say, “My will be done,” when we should say, “Thy will be done.” There can only be one lord in our life (Matthew 6:24); the question for each of us is: Who shall it be? Me or the Lord? If we answer “Me,” then we can expect the judgment of the Lord to follow.
18–23 Isaiah concludes his prophecy against Babylon by saying that its king will have no tomb, no burial; instead, his corpse will be trampled underfoot (verse 19). A man’s memorial is not only his tombstone but also his children; the king of Babylon will have neither (verse 21).
A Prophecy Against Assyria (14:24–27)
24–27 Here Isaiah confirms God’s judgment on Assyria, which he has stated earlier (see Isaiah 10:5–19). No one—not even the mightiest king—can thwart the sovereign Lord or turn . . . back His outstretched hand (verse 27).
A Prophecy Against the Philistines (14:28–32)
28–32 The Philistines81 were ancient enemies of the Israelites; they lived along the Mediterranean coast west of Israel. Here Isaiah prophesies that they will revolt against Assyria—the rod that struck them (verse 29)—but that quickly new Assyrian rulers will spring up who will be worse than the former ones. Therefore, let the Philistines not rejoice over short-lived victories.
Indeed, the Philistines are doomed. The poor and the needy (the Israelites) will be secure, but the Philistines will be destroyed by the Assyrians (verse 30). The Assyrian army will appear as a cloud of smoke coming from the north. The Philistines will send envoys to Jerusalem, in hopes of making an alliance with Israel against their common enemy; but the Israelites will answer that the Lord has established Zion (Jerusalem, His earthly kingdom) and that Israel trusts in Him and not in human alliances82 (verse 32).