Isaiah 14:1-23

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Babylon Denounced, and the Fall of Satan Described

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The prophecy against the king of Babylon foreshadows the fall of Babylon in the future.

  2. The prophecy against the king of Babylon reveals the fall of Satan in the past.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Watch out for pride.

QUESTIONS

  1. What are the two aspects of the fulfillment of God’s judgment against Babylon?

  2. Describe Isaiah 14:4-21.

  3. Explain how this taunt song also has historical and eschatological aspects.

  4. Why do we think the latter part of this passage refers to Satan?

  5. What was the root source of Satan’s fall?

ANSWERS

  1. There was a time already in history when Isaiah’s prophecy against Babylon was partially fulfilled. The Babylonian empire no longer exists. We will also see the Babylon of the end times judged and destroyed in the future (see Revelation 17-18).

  2. These verses are a taunt sung by God’s people in reference to the defeat of the king of Babylon.

  3. Certainly the Jewish captives in Babylon rejoiced when the Medes and Persians were victorious over Babylon (verses 5-6). Especially when Cyrus the Persian Emperor issued his famous edict which allowed the Jewish captives to return home to Jerusalem. This song also looks to the far future when the whole earth is at rest and is quiet (verse 7). This will happen in the future when the Babylon of the end times will be defeated by the Lord Himself.

  4. Beginning in verse 12, the taunt song goes beyond the literal king of Babylon and describes the evil source of power behind pagan Babylon – Satan himself. Read the passage and point out the items that would not be describing the literal king.

  5. Pride (verses 13-14)

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. This passage in Isaiah 14 along with Ezekiel 28 teaches us much of what we know about Satan before his fall. What new insight have you gained from this passage? Are the five “I wills” that Satan utters a sober reminder for you to keep your pride in check?

CHALLENGE

  1. As you go throughout your week, ask God to reveal to you how often pride is at the root of your “bad days.”

KEY VERSES

  • “You will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: ‘How the oppressor has ceased, the golden city ceased! The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.’” Isaiah 14:4-5

  • “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:13-14

Isaiah, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsIsaiah 14:1-23