Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Dr Young reports that several ancient scholars, Tertullian and Gregory the Great have referred the theme of this portion to the fall of Satan, which we will consider in greater detail in our New Testament passage. That satanic reference is indeed a popular one. A few years ago a friend loaned me a tape from a popular South American evangelist. He spoke for forty minutes about the fall of Satan described in this particular chapter. By the time he was through, Satan was once the prince of the Milky Way angelic hosts and his power was now circumscribed to lowly planet earth alone.
Calvin would certainly disagree with this satanic reference. In his commentary he states: "The exposition of this passage which some have given, as if it referred to Satan, has arisen from ignorance, for the context shows that these statements must be understood in reference to the King of the Babylonians." Even while this passage can not be referred specifically to Satan, we may understand that his shadow lies behind the personality of the King of Babylon. You see, by his self-deification, the King of Babylon proves that he is a type of Satan, who is by nature anti-Christ. To this very fallen human prince, this half chapter would focus our attention.
Chapter fourteen opens with a word of blessing, comfort and promise. "The Lord will have compassion on Jacob." The destruction of Babylon will be accomplished and the Lord's people will return home. Again the Lord will show mercy, He declares, and again He will choose His people. And there in the land of promise, aliens will join Israel and that united Church of Jews and Gentiles will capture the former captors and oppressors. On that grand day, Isaiah promises that the Lord's people may taunt the worldly oppressor, the king of Babylon. At the end of time, justice will finally be handed out. "How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!"
Isn't this the way of all the wicked that is described in the next few verses? Those who have oppressed others will finally be broken. Look at the constant frenzy, if I may use the word of activity on the part of the oppressor. Who can be left to live a quiet peaceful life, apart from a growing empire? From the beginning of time, the oppressive rulers have meant to trouble the hard working laborers and farmers, to take their profits, their property and their time. This threat is what is at stake in our own growing American empire. Those in power are not content to let anyone have something of their own. The growing corporate socialism would manage every profitable enterprise so that the rich and powerful can have their percentage. And that percentage does not always have to be in the form of cash. No, credit for their genius is often so much more important.
For the last fifteen years the schools of this country have been kept in turmoil so that the professionals may pass off their answers to every problem. The fads which change every five years keep honest students and teachers from ever having any time to learn. One of my fellow instructors noted that with the new state testing programs at least thirty days of every school year is now devoted to testing. Harassment, we might call it! And that harassment is becoming a way of life in many working places. So much so that there is no rest for the righteous! But look what is the result of the fall of the house of Babylon. Verse seven gives us a clue: "All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing." That is the way to live, outside the worldly frenzy of empire building. In the twenties, a very popular song demonstrated the American attitude to letting the rest of the world go by! In this Isaiac scene, even the pine trees and the cedars of Lebanon are at peace. No longer will government building projects lay the mountain forests low.
Because, because the King of Babylon has gone the way of all flesh. There in Hades would he be greeted by his kind. And there is a cover prepared for his bed. One of worms. In this verse there may well be a pun intended. For in ancient times, a scarlet dye was extracted from worms. That dye was used for bed covers. How appropriate for a king who would rule all the earth. To this king of Babylon is sung a funeral dirge. "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!"
"Morning star" and "son of the dawn" here are very much imperial titles like the Chinese "son of heaven" and the pompous title of Mussolini "Il Duce" which meant nothing more than Number One. Now why is the King of Babylon so humiliated? Is it not because of his attitude while alive? Look at the accusation in verse thirteen: "You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'" This is the sin of Babylon. This is the sin of all Empire builders - to put themselves above the Creator God and above His moral commands.
Look at our current crop of leaders who have thought that they did not have to pay employee taxes required of those who they would rule. How many times has that attitude been shown in the last year? Oh, you mean I'm supposed to pay taxes that benefit those who worked for me? Let the little people try to get away with that line! All rulers who suppose that they may rule according to their own desires are in for a rude shock when our Lord returns. Hear the Lord's plan in verse fifteen.
"But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit." Sheol, or Hades will hold them, just as assuredly as all of those who these conquering kings have sent on ahead by blood thirsty policies of expansion. But, this king of Babylon will be cursed more than those who welcome him to the grave. The kings and leaders who greet him at least had bodies for their graves, and ceremonies of burial. The last king of Babylon would not even be buried. Even worse, his sons, his successors would be slaughtered so that the Babylonian cities might not be rebuilt. The Lord promises that nevermore will the place of Babylon rise again. In the same way will all who imitate Babylon come to a similar end. The wicked of every time and every conquering king will come to the same climactic end. Their empires will fail and the glorious Kingdom of our God and Lord will triumph. May we hope for the coming of His triumphal end and labor for our heavenly King as we let the rest of the world go by.
Resources Used:
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentery Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001
09 January 94
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.