Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 14

DIVINE MERCY TOWARD JACOB

Verse 1-2 PROSPERITY FOR THE COVENANT NATION

1. Self-will and rebellion, on the part of His own, have prompted God to use Gentile powers in the necessary chastisement and discipline or His erring people.

2. The arrogance and cruelty of these Gentile instruments of His wrath will bring His judgment upon them - after He has accomplished His purpose upon Israel.

3. In His judgment on her oppressors, the Lord is manifesting His covenant-faithfullness ("hesed", mercy) toward the nation that has broken His covenant; He is faithful!

4. By His own choice He will restore Israel to her own land - the land of Promise - where, disciplined to the obedience of faith, she will be an instrument of blessing to the Gentiles over whom she will have triumphed, (Isaiah 49:22-23; Isaiah 61:5-7).

5. This indicates that, restored to the position of covenant-fellowship (from which the nation was cut off, through the disobedience of unbelief), Israel will fulfill (during the millennium) the role of ministering to the Gentiles - the work that her ancient father’s refused.

a. Israel will be the chief nation on earth during the millennium, (Ezekiel 36:24-28; Zechariah 10:6; Micah 4:6-8; Micah 7:15-20; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 61:8-11; Zechariah 8:23; Isaiah 49:22-23; Isaiah 66:12; Isaiah 60:11-12; Zechariah 14:12-19).

b. However, the nation of Israel will be ruled over by the twelve apostles of Christ, (Luke 22:28-30).

1. When Israel is given rest from her troubles (through divine redemption and restoration), she will rejoice over the destruction of Babylon with a note of triumph.

a. "How has the oppressor ceased!"

b. "His insolent rage has been silenced!"

2. It is the Lord Himself who has broken "staff and sceptre" (representative of kingly state, or rule: cf. Jeremiah 48:17; Jeremiah 48:29; 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 9:4) of him who raged, without restraint, against the nations; he is now recompensed by divine vengeance, (Verse 5-6).

3. The whole earth enjoys rest and quietness, except for the spontaneous song of joy - the fir trees and cedars of Lebanon rejoicing in the overthrow of him who made havoc of their forests, (.Verse 7-8).

4. Sheol (the place of the dead) is pictured as being excited by the coming of the king of Babylon - its inhabitants aroused and astounded at his violent end; he is now as one of the kings of the earth whom he had overthrown.

5. The taunt of Israel is taken up again in verse 11.

a. His pomp, and the noise of his instruments of music, are brought down to Sheol, (Isaiah 5:14; Ezekiel 28:13; cf. Daniel 3:5).

b. The luxurious cushions and pillows on which he once lay have been exchanged for a bed of worms; maggots are now his covering instead of the gorgeous rugs under which he once rested, (Isaiah 51:8; Isaiah 66:24; Mark 9:43-48).

Verse 12-20: THE FALL OF LUCIFER

1. Inquiry is made as to why Lucifer (whose name means "day star"), son of the morning, has been cut down, (Verse 12).

a. Though the words are addressed to the fallen king of Babylon, it is evident that its ultimate throughst is at Satan himself, by whom the king was manipulated into rebellion against the Most High.

b. It should be understood that this is a prophecy, though the moral fall is of great historical significance, and reveals the origin and originator of sin.

c. The ultimate casting down of Satan awaits fulfillment -since he presently has access to the very presence of God as the "accuser of the brethren", (Job 2:1-8; Revelation 12:9-12; Luke 10:18; Judges 1:6).

2. Sin had its origin in the heart of the "shining one" who, in proud rebellion and arrogant willfullness, declared his independence and announced his ambitious goal of self-exaltation, (Verse 13-14; comp. Ezekiel 28:11-19).

a. "1 WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN-!" (Ezekiel 28:2).

b. "I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God!" (Daniel 5:22; Daniel 8:10; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

c. "I WILL sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north!"

d. "I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds!"

e. "I WILL be like the Most High!"

(It was this same willful selfish rebellion against the divine order and authority that Satan was able to implant in the hearts of mother Eve (Genesis 3), and the king of Babylon.)

3. The end of Satanic rebellion (Verse 15) will be "sheol" - the bottomless pit, (Ezekiel 28:8; cf. Revelation 20:13); and, ultimately, the lake of fire, (Revelation 20:10).

4. Men will be amazed at the fall of the kingdom of Babylon, as they contrast the proud arrogance of his reign with the shame and disgrace of His fall, (Verse 16-17; Ezekiel 28:18-19).

5. Though most of earth’s kings are given an honorable burial, the carcass of the king of Babylon, who has been the destruction of his own land and people, will be cast out and trodden under foot, (Verse 18-20).

Verse 21-23

1. His dynasty will perish with him - his offspring slaughtered, (Verse 21-22).

2. And the Lord will sweep Babylon with "the broom of destruction" - making it the possession of porcupines, (Verse 23).

Verse 24-27: ORACLE CONCERNING ASSYRIA

1. The Lord has sworn that His plan and purpose will not be thwarted; it will be fulfilled, (Verse 24; Isaiah 46:10; Psalms 33:11; Proverbs 21:30; comp. Acts 2:23; Acts 4:28; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 11:33-36).

2. He has purposed to "break the Assyrian" (Isaiah 10:12; Isaiah 30:31; Isaiah 31:8; Isaiah 37:7; Isaiah 37:36-38) in the land of promise - Jehovah’s own land, (Verse 25a; Ezekiel 38:21; Ezekiel 39:2; Ezekiel 39:4).

3. When the Lord accomplishes this purpose the yoke of the Assyrian will be broken - liberating His people from bondage and servitude, (Verse 25b; cf. Isaiah 9:4; Isaiah 10:27; Nahum 1:13).

4. The Lord has a definite purpose for the whole earth, (Isaiah 23:9; Zephaniah 3:6-9); His outstretched hand will truly bring judgment to the nations, (Exodus 15:6; Exodus 15:12; etc.).

5. His purpose cannot-be annulled - nor shall any successfully resist His outstretched hand, (Verse 27; Isaiah 43:13; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Daniel 4:24-35).

Verse 28-32: ORACLE CONCERNING PALESTINA

1. This oracle is dated by the death of Ahaz, who was succeeded by king Hezekiah (715 B.C.); he would utterly defeat the Philistines, (2 Kings 18:8).

2. The rejoicing of the Philistines seems to be in the death of an Assyrian king, rather than in the fall of Ahaz - who certainly had not smitten them.

3. They appear to be proposing that Hezekiah join with them in rising up to throw off the yoke of Assyria; but, Isaiah warns that there will be great trouble ahead for any who take such action; the Assyrian will bring swift destruction upon Philistia (Palestine), (Verse 31; Jeremiah 1:14; Jeremiah 4:6; Jeremiah 10:22).

4. Hezekiah is to answer the messages of Philistia "that Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in Him shall the afflicted of his people take refuge"! (Isaiah 28:16; Psalms 87:1; Psalms 87:5; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 57:13).