Lectionary Calendar

Monday, December 23rd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent

Attention!

For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 14

IsaiahIsa 13 IsaiahIsa IsaiahIsa 15

Search for…

Resource Toolbox

Print version Copyright Bibliography

Verses 1-32

Intro:
1. Next Week The Kry will join us for Worship.
2. “It is easy to bid the devil to be your guest, but difficult to get rid of him.” Danish Proverb
  1. “Satan rocks the cradle when we sleep at our devotions.” Joseph Hall (1574-1656)
  2. “Satan's friendship reaches to the prison door.” Turkish Proverb
3. Again Babylon is a picture of the world in opposition to God!
  1. Jerusalem & Zion is a picture of God’s people.
  2. The king of Babylon a picture of Satan, the prince of this world.
  3. Historically - Babylon was destroyed by Medo-Persians in 539bc.
  4. Prophetically – It will occur toward the end of the tribulation (Rev.17,18)
BABYLON! (1-23)
1. GOD WILL CHOOSE AGAIN ISRAEL! (1-3)
2. In the future day God will “again choose Israel”!
  1. He will bring them back into the land, giving them rest & peace.
3. THE KING OF BABYLON’S FALL! (4-11)
4. Here we read a “taunting song” from God to the king of Babylon.
  1. He also speaks to Satan who motivated & energized him.
1. (9-11) The underworld is seen as eagerly awaiting its new inhabitants.
  1. Kind of creepy!
2. (10,11) Death is the great leveler and the world marvels that high & low suffer the same fate. (Philip Hacking; pg.57)
  1. What a bed for a king & what a bed spread! (Isaiah; Motyer; pg.120)
3. LUCIFER’S FALL! (12-15)
4. Differing views: [1] it refers to the king of Babylon [2] it refers to Satan, the real power behind the king [3] it refers to Satan’s fall from his position of preeminence before God. [I believe it is 1, 2, & 3!]
5. Behind the evil Babylonian system was Lucifer the enemy of God.
6. He was once the highest of all created intelligences, standing as the “anointed cherub”(Ezek.28:14)
  1. Driven by ambition he thought he could lead a coup against the throne of God…and great was his fall!
7. Listen to the contrast in Jesus’ ministry!
  1. I will ascend into heaven - I will descend from heaven.
  2. I will exalt my throne - I will leave my throne.
  3. I will sit on the mount - I will kneel & wash feet.
  4. I will ascend above the clouds - I will descend below the clouds
  5. I will be like the Most High - I will become man.
  6. Which of these is closer to your approach?
    1. To getting ahead at work? To excelling in your ministry? In regards to dealing with marriage issues? To your overall leadership? – Is it by being demanding, pushy, usurping, climbing over people…or is it the humble servant path?
  7. When man worships & serves himself, he plays right into the hands of the evil one.
8. Lucifer! (Lightbearer, shining one) 22 names & titles!
  1. Other Names? {Devil(Gk.diablos/slanderer)[35x’s]; Prince of the power of the air; god of this age; prince of this world; ruler of darkness; dragon; deceiver; Abaddon[Heb.]or, Apollyon[Gk.] (destroyer)[Rev.9:11]; Beelzebub(-bul)(prince of demons); Belial(ruthless); Wicked one; Tempter; Accuser of the brethren; Angel of light; A liar; A murderer; the enemy; a roaring lion}
  2. His activities? Originator of sin; he blinds men to the truth(2 Cor.4:4); he steals the word of God from men’s hearts(parable of sower); he accuses Christians before God; he lay snares for men; he tempts; he afflicts; he deceives; he lies.
  3. His limitations? He can only move by permission of God(Job 1); Chains (Jude 6); Resisted by Christians (James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”)
  4. Is he still active today in our world?
    1. Not all evil & sin is from Satan…but some of it is!
    2. He captures people! (see 2 tim.2:23-26)
    3. 1 Jn.5:19 “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
    4. Rev.12:9 “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;”
    5. Sinning gives a foothold into our lives Eph.4:26,27, “Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
    6. They are subject to Christians in Jesus name! – Lk.10:17 “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
    7. They are withstood by elect angels, Dan.10:13.
    8. They are limited in knowledge, strength, & geographically. (i.e. He/they are not omnipresent, omnipotent, nor omniscient) Thus they can’t know our minds, know the future, nor know our thoughts.
      1. What about psychics? They can observe!…What I had for breakfast, or listen to a phone call.
  5. But he doesn’t seem as active like the NT times (i.e. demon possessions)?
    1. Bible shows all the way through till the end of the Millennium (of course temp out of commission for most the mill. itself)
    2. Our failure to perceive it w/our 5 senses simply shows we have deficiency’s, not that they don’t exist! [no reason to think demonic activity is any less than bible days…perhaps they are simply better deceivers in our day – isn’t it true the more you lie the better you get at it?]
  6. What is the balanced approach to this topic?
    1. Our focus? - Lk.10:17-20 (esp.20b)
    2. What is “giving place”? in Eph.4:26 (i.e. “no opportunity”, “no foothold”) (in this case wrongful anger)
  7. Is the Christian already Victorious over Satan?
  8. nikao is found 28 times in the NT. (Willmington’s; pg.769) (almost always translated “overcome”)
  9. 1 Jn.4:4,5 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
  10. We have been promised victory, but how do we experience this promised victory?
  11. The spiritual battlefield is the same as a physical battlefield!
    1. [1] You must know your own weakness!
    2. [2] You must know your own strengths!
    3. [3] You must know your enemies weakness!
    4. [4] You must know your enemies strengths!
  12. To either over or under-estimate any of these 4, could prove fatal.
    1. [1] You must know your own weakness!
    2. Paul admitted, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” Rom.7:18
    3. Also, w/o Jesus we can do nothing!
    4. [2] You must know your own strengths!
    5. Paul also stated, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil.4:13
    6. [3] You must know your enemies weakness!
    7. We talked about his limitations above.
    8. 1 Cor.10:13 “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
    9. [4] You must know your enemies strengths!
    10. Willmington calls this the 16 deadly “D’s” of the Devil.
  13. [Disappointment(dis-appointments are when we forget that situations are “just-appointments”…God’s!); Discouragement; Despair; Doubt; Disbelief(the final form of doubt. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;”Heb.3:12); Distractions(any!); Double-mindedness(i.e. having 2 masters. Or depicted by the neutral observer during the American Civil War who put on a conf pants & a Yankee coat only to be shot by both sides!); Dishonesty(this might be as simple as being less than we should be: as pastors, husbands, wives, workers ); Deceit; Dullness(dull of hearing); Deadness(unchecked dullness); Delay(putting off salvation, or working for Him); Discord; Defilement(Vance Havner, addressing a group of youth that came forward to give their lives to full-time service to God…he said, “Don’t pray “Lord, use me.” He’ll do that alright. In fact, He’ll wear you out, for there’s not enough of you to go around as it is! What you should pray is “Lord, make me useable!”); Defame(criticize, or belittle other believers); & Disobedience]
    1. Q: How specifically has he been working around you lately?
    2. Q: How much was he behind your last fight w/someone you love?
    3. Q: How will you change your defense strategy this week?
  14. THE KING OF BABYLON’S FALL, CONT’D! (16-21)
  15. (18, 19) Not a state funeral, but a trampled corpse.
    1. Not like Former President Ronald Regan’s pageantry.
  16. In ancient times an unburied corpse was a calamity & a curse…the greatest of insults. (i.e. Saul’s body/men of Jabesh Gilead)
    1. Cast out of your grave – Russia (leaders body exhumed & burnt)
    2. Garments of those who are slain – reminds me of the holocaust museum mound/warehouse of discarded clothes, hair, eye glasses.
  17. (20, 21) His children would not succeed him on the throne.
  18. (23) And the land would become desolate.
  19. BABYLON’s(The City) FALL! (22-23)
  20. Discussed all ch.13.
ASSYRIA DESTROYED! (24-27)
1. Here God’s Sovereignty over the nations.
PHILISTIA DESTROYED! (28-32)
1. The Philistines, who had just recently seized 4 Judean cities(2 Chron.28:18), rejoiced over king Ahaz’s death. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.25)
2. Their joy, however, would be short-lived.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verses 1-32

Intro:
1. Next Week The Kry will join us for Worship.
2. “It is easy to bid the devil to be your guest, but difficult to get rid of him.” Danish Proverb
  1. “Satan rocks the cradle when we sleep at our devotions.” Joseph Hall (1574-1656)
  2. “Satan's friendship reaches to the prison door.” Turkish Proverb
3. Again Babylon is a picture of the world in opposition to God!
  1. Jerusalem & Zion is a picture of God’s people.
  2. The king of Babylon a picture of Satan, the prince of this world.
  3. Historically - Babylon was destroyed by Medo-Persians in 539bc.
  4. Prophetically – It will occur toward the end of the tribulation (Rev.17,18)
BABYLON! (1-23)
1. GOD WILL CHOOSE AGAIN ISRAEL! (1-3)
2. In the future day God will “again choose Israel”!
  1. He will bring them back into the land, giving them rest & peace.
3. THE KING OF BABYLON’S FALL! (4-11)
4. Here we read a “taunting song” from God to the king of Babylon.
  1. He also speaks to Satan who motivated & energized him.
1. (9-11) The underworld is seen as eagerly awaiting its new inhabitants.
  1. Kind of creepy!
2. (10,11) Death is the great leveler and the world marvels that high & low suffer the same fate. (Philip Hacking; pg.57)
  1. What a bed for a king & what a bed spread! (Isaiah; Motyer; pg.120)
3. LUCIFER’S FALL! (12-15)
4. Differing views: [1] it refers to the king of Babylon [2] it refers to Satan, the real power behind the king [3] it refers to Satan’s fall from his position of preeminence before God. [I believe it is 1, 2, & 3!]
5. Behind the evil Babylonian system was Lucifer the enemy of God.
6. He was once the highest of all created intelligences, standing as the “anointed cherub”(Ezek.28:14)
  1. Driven by ambition he thought he could lead a coup against the throne of God…and great was his fall!
7. Listen to the contrast in Jesus’ ministry!
  1. I will ascend into heaven - I will descend from heaven.
  2. I will exalt my throne - I will leave my throne.
  3. I will sit on the mount - I will kneel & wash feet.
  4. I will ascend above the clouds - I will descend below the clouds
  5. I will be like the Most High - I will become man.
  6. Which of these is closer to your approach?
    1. To getting ahead at work? To excelling in your ministry? In regards to dealing with marriage issues? To your overall leadership? – Is it by being demanding, pushy, usurping, climbing over people…or is it the humble servant path?
  7. When man worships & serves himself, he plays right into the hands of the evil one.
8. Lucifer! (Lightbearer, shining one) 22 names & titles!
  1. Other Names? {Devil(Gk.diablos/slanderer)[35x’s]; Prince of the power of the air; god of this age; prince of this world; ruler of darkness; dragon; deceiver; Abaddon[Heb.]or, Apollyon[Gk.] (destroyer)[Rev.9:11]; Beelzebub(-bul)(prince of demons); Belial(ruthless); Wicked one; Tempter; Accuser of the brethren; Angel of light; A liar; A murderer; the enemy; a roaring lion}
  2. His activities? Originator of sin; he blinds men to the truth(2 Cor.4:4); he steals the word of God from men’s hearts(parable of sower); he accuses Christians before God; he lay snares for men; he tempts; he afflicts; he deceives; he lies.
  3. His limitations? He can only move by permission of God(Job 1); Chains (Jude 6); Resisted by Christians (James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”)
  4. Is he still active today in our world?
    1. Not all evil & sin is from Satan…but some of it is!
    2. He captures people! (see 2 tim.2:23-26)
    3. 1 Jn.5:19 “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
    4. Rev.12:9 “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;”
    5. Sinning gives a foothold into our lives Eph.4:26,27, “Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
    6. They are subject to Christians in Jesus name! – Lk.10:17 “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
    7. They are withstood by elect angels, Dan.10:13.
    8. They are limited in knowledge, strength, & geographically. (i.e. He/they are not omnipresent, omnipotent, nor omniscient) Thus they can’t know our minds, know the future, nor know our thoughts.
      1. What about psychics? They can observe!…What I had for breakfast, or listen to a phone call.
  5. But he doesn’t seem as active like the NT times (i.e. demon possessions)?
    1. Bible shows all the way through till the end of the Millennium (of course temp out of commission for most the mill. itself)
    2. Our failure to perceive it w/our 5 senses simply shows we have deficiency’s, not that they don’t exist! [no reason to think demonic activity is any less than bible days…perhaps they are simply better deceivers in our day – isn’t it true the more you lie the better you get at it?]
  6. What is the balanced approach to this topic?
    1. Our focus? - Lk.10:17-20 (esp.20b)
    2. What is “giving place”? in Eph.4:26 (i.e. “no opportunity”, “no foothold”) (in this case wrongful anger)
  7. Is the Christian already Victorious over Satan?
  8. nikao is found 28 times in the NT. (Willmington’s; pg.769) (almost always translated “overcome”)
  9. 1 Jn.4:4,5 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
  10. We have been promised victory, but how do we experience this promised victory?
  11. The spiritual battlefield is the same as a physical battlefield!
    1. [1] You must know your own weakness!
    2. [2] You must know your own strengths!
    3. [3] You must know your enemies weakness!
    4. [4] You must know your enemies strengths!
  12. To either over or under-estimate any of these 4, could prove fatal.
    1. [1] You must know your own weakness!
    2. Paul admitted, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” Rom.7:18
    3. Also, w/o Jesus we can do nothing!
    4. [2] You must know your own strengths!
    5. Paul also stated, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil.4:13
    6. [3] You must know your enemies weakness!
    7. We talked about his limitations above.
    8. 1 Cor.10:13 “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
    9. [4] You must know your enemies strengths!
    10. Willmington calls this the 16 deadly “D’s” of the Devil.
  13. [Disappointment(dis-appointments are when we forget that situations are “just-appointments”…God’s!); Discouragement; Despair; Doubt; Disbelief(the final form of doubt. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;”Heb.3:12); Distractions(any!); Double-mindedness(i.e. having 2 masters. Or depicted by the neutral observer during the American Civil War who put on a conf pants & a Yankee coat only to be shot by both sides!); Dishonesty(this might be as simple as being less than we should be: as pastors, husbands, wives, workers ); Deceit; Dullness(dull of hearing); Deadness(unchecked dullness); Delay(putting off salvation, or working for Him); Discord; Defilement(Vance Havner, addressing a group of youth that came forward to give their lives to full-time service to God…he said, “Don’t pray “Lord, use me.” He’ll do that alright. In fact, He’ll wear you out, for there’s not enough of you to go around as it is! What you should pray is “Lord, make me useable!”); Defame(criticize, or belittle other believers); & Disobedience]
    1. Q: How specifically has he been working around you lately?
    2. Q: How much was he behind your last fight w/someone you love?
    3. Q: How will you change your defense strategy this week?
  14. THE KING OF BABYLON’S FALL, CONT’D! (16-21)
  15. (18, 19) Not a state funeral, but a trampled corpse.
    1. Not like Former President Ronald Regan’s pageantry.
  16. In ancient times an unburied corpse was a calamity & a curse…the greatest of insults. (i.e. Saul’s body/men of Jabesh Gilead)
    1. Cast out of your grave – Russia (leaders body exhumed & burnt)
    2. Garments of those who are slain – reminds me of the holocaust museum mound/warehouse of discarded clothes, hair, eye glasses.
  17. (20, 21) His children would not succeed him on the throne.
  18. (23) And the land would become desolate.
  19. BABYLON’s(The City) FALL! (22-23)
  20. Discussed all ch.13.
ASSYRIA DESTROYED! (24-27)
1. Here God’s Sovereignty over the nations.
PHILISTIA DESTROYED! (28-32)
1. The Philistines, who had just recently seized 4 Judean cities(2 Chron.28:18), rejoiced over king Ahaz’s death. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.25)
2. Their joy, however, would be short-lived.

return to 'Top of Page'

IsaiahIsa 13 IsaiahIsa IsaiahIsa 15

Copyright Statement
These files are the property of Brian Bell.
Text Courtesy of Calvary Chapel of Murrieta. Used by Permission.

Bibliographical Information
Bell, Brian. "Commentary on Isaiah 14". "Bell's Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/isaiah-14.html. 2017.

Bible CommentariesIsaiah 14

Bell's Commentary on the BibleBell's Commentary

Verses 1-32

Verses 1-32

Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 14