Isaiah 14:3-23 – Don’t usurp what rightly belongs to God

In these verses, Isaiah described the fall of Babylon and how its destruction would bring elation to Israel and the world. Babylon at this point was the symbol of the dominating world power. However, the truth is this: no matter how great a nation deems herself to be, it can never rise above the power of God. The Sovereign Lord is in control of every nation and kingdom, and the destiny of nations is determined by Him. We learn from Isaiah that God would use Babylon to discipline His covenant people for their waywardness, but ultimately, they themselves would be dealt with by God for their cruelty. As promised, God would deliver Israel from their oppressors and restore them to their land. Then they could taunt and insult Babylon, their oppressor.

The text made it clear that the prophet was talking about the king of Babylon. This perhaps is a reference to the monarch in Babylon’s glory days.  History tells us that the empire was the domineering power from 625-538 B.C. after the fall of Assyria. Under King Nebuchadnezzar, this nation was brought to its zenith. Now Isaiah foresaw her fall. Isaiah 14:4-6 speak of the fall of Babylon and the demise of the great oppressor. God is seen here as the One who had brought about her downfall. Verses 7-23 describe the sort of responses to the fall of Babylon. Verses 7-8 depict the nations enjoying a time of rest that even the cypress trees in the forest would be left undisturbed by cutters. The destruction of the great oppressor would bring great joy to the earth. Verses 9-10 said that even in Sheol, the place of the departed spirits, there would be some commotions. The past leaders of the earth would jeer the once-great Babylonian king who had once deemed himself to be a “god.” Ironically, he would be brought as low as them, to share the same end as they, languishing in Sheol. This is a timely reminder that death is the leveler of all mankind. No matter how powerful, how mighty, or how rich, everyone will return to ground zero at death. Verses 16-20 describe how the inhabitants of the earth would disdain the once-great monarch of Babylon. They would be astonished at the disrespect shown to his dead body. Verses 21-23 show the kingdom of Babylon destroyed, her followers gone, and the nation left desolate and annihilated.  

There are people who saw the description of this passage as referring to the downfall of Satan. We will not take the time to deal with it. Suffice to say that no one would be left undealt with who tries to usurp the place that rightly belongs to God. It will do us well to always know our position and to honor God’s. He deserves the best we can bring to Him. We must honor Him with our time, our treasure, our talent, our temple (i.e. our body), and with every ticking of our hearts. Let us do it!