Isaiah 14: 1 – 32
The Power Behind The Man
1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2 Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors. 3 It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: “How the oppressor has ceased, the golden city ceased! 5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers; 6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he who ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted and no one hinders. 7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; They break forth into singing. 8 Indeed the cypress trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you were cut down, no woodsman has come up against us.’ 9 “ Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10 They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, and worms cover you.’ 12 “ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 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; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. 16 “ Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?’ 18 “ All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, everyone in his own house; 19 But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, like the garment of those who are slain, thrust through with a sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a corpse trodden underfoot. 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land and slain your people. The brood of evildoers shall never be named. 21 Prepare slaughter for his children because of the iniquity of their fathers, lest they rise up and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities.” 22 “ For I will rise up against them,” says the LORD of hosts, “ And cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, and offspring and posterity,” says the LORD. 23 “ I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and marshes of muddy water; I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” says the LORD of hosts. 24 The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, “ Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand: 25 That I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders. 26 This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” 28 This is the burden which came in the year that King Ahaz died. 29 “ Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, because the rod that struck you is broken; For out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper, and its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. 30 The firstborn of the poor will feed, and the needy will lie down in safety; I will kill your roots with famine, and it will slay your remnant. 31 Wail, O gate! Cry, O city! All you of Philistia are dissolved; For smoke will come from the north, and no one will be alone in his appointed times.” 32 What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.
A lot of people perk up in their enthusiasm with biblical learning as we now reach this chapter in our study of the book of Isaiah. This chapter and chapter 28 of Ezekiel speak about the former chief ‘Anointed’ angel. He goes by a variety of names. In this chapter he is called ‘Lucifer’.
The Bible calls Satan by many different names. Each name has a slightly different meaning. The many other names for Satan give a fuller picture of who Satan is and what he does. There are more names for Satan in the Bible than for anyone else except our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Abaddon - Apollyon
Hebrew name for Satan meaning “Destruction”. “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11
Accuser
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” Revelation 12:10
Adversary
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Angel of light
“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
Angel of the bottomless pit
“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11
Anointed covering cherub
"You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones." Ezekiel 28:14
Beelzebub
“Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’” Matthew 12:24
Belial
“And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:15
Deceiver – Dragon
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9
Devil
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
Enemy
“The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.” Matthew 13:39
Evil one
“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15
Father of lies
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44
God of this age
“Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
King of Babylon
“That you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: ‘How the oppressor has ceased, The golden city ceased!’” Isaiah 14:4
King of the bottomless pit
“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11
Lawless one
“8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
Murderer
“44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44
Power of darkness
“13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14
Prince of the power of the air
“1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:1,2
Roaring lion
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Ruler of demons
“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’” Luke 11:15
Ruler of this world
“31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:31,32
Satan
“And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” Mark 1:13
Serpent of old
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9
Star
“Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.” Revelation 9:1
Tempter
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’” Matthew 4:3
Wicked one
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:1
So with all that said, let’s take a look at chapter 14;
1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2 Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.
Please note this guarantee of our Lord God to His people Israel. This prophecy speaks of the restoration of the people of Israel to the land that God had given them - 1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land.”
Our Holy and Wonderful Yahweh will have compassion again on them. Those who had oppressed them will assist in their deliverance and become their servants and captives – ‘The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2 Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors. ‘
Look at how complete the conquest were granted the Jews by God;
1. ‘Then people will take them and bring them to their place’ This speaks of Israel being the leading military power able to dominate the world
2. ‘and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD’ This speaks of domestic matters. The Jews will be in control and blessed while the nations serve them
3. ‘rule over their oppressors’ – This speaks of the political rule the Jews will maintain over others.
3 It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: “How the oppressor has ceased, the golden city ceased! 5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers; 6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he who ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted and no one hinders. 7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; They break forth into singing. 8 Indeed the cypress trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you were cut down, no woodsman has come up against us.’
Finally, throughout all the centuries of war and destruction, the Jewish people will have peace - 3 It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow.’
They will no longer experience the oppression from foreign nations – ‘and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: “How the oppressor has ceased, the golden city ceased! 5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers; 6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he who ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted and no one hinders.’
We read in the book of Romans chapter 8 how all the things of creation have been hurt by the curse for Adam and Eve’s sin “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.’
We read in verses 7 and 8 the removing of this curse – ‘7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; They break forth into singing. 8 Indeed the cypress trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you were cut down, no woodsman has come up against us.’
To understand the next few verses it is good to see an incident that had occurred in Isaiah’s life. We read in the book of 2 Kings chapter 20 this, “12 At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came from a far country, from Babylon.” 15 And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: 17 ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. 18 ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” 19 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?”
Isaiah saw the future. The arrival of the Babylonian ambassadors to king Hezekiah had caused a profound impact on the Lord’s prophet. Our Holy Majestic God revealed to Isaiah that the Babylonians would rise to power and crush the people of Judah. Now remember Hezekiah was a good king, yet when he hears the whole pronouncement of the future horror this nation will cause God’s people, what was Hezekiah’s response? – ‘Well, as long as it doesn’t happen in my lifetime.’
Isaiah is angry. It appears from the description above that the king of Babylon is really caring about Hezekiah’s health. However, behind their apparent nice action, they were scoping out the goodies of the land of Judah. Isaiah through inspiration of the Holy Spirit reveals this evil nations true condition, which first of all is reflected in the arrogance of its king.
9 “ Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10 They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, and worms cover you.’
This king thought he was the best of all human beings. He was raised in his position to rule an up and coming world power and all this went to his head. So, in mockery, Isaiah points out that all the kings who have died are going to be waiting anxiously for him to join them. Look again at Isaiah’s words of insult to this pompous ruler – ‘9 “ Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10 They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, and worms cover you.’
Something quite unique now happens. All of a sudden the words directed towards the king of Babylon shift to the person behind the king of Babylon.
12 “ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 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; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
Please note with me how pride can pollute your thinking. You somehow think you can accomplish things on your own. You can do it all by yourself. Your attitude is like Satan’s– ‘I will’. Read this with me again and let us note the amounts of ‘I will’s’. 12 “ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 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; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
From all my studies of Scripture, I did not see any ‘Help Wanted’ signs to take God’s position.
In the book of Ezekiel chapter 28 we find out more about this created being.
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “ You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16 “ By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. 17 “ Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;
Now this person being addressed was at one time in a very interesting place – the Garden of Eden. We first hear about this location in chapter 2 of the book of Genesis, ”8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird othe air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
So, those who were in the Garden of Eden were God Almighty, Adam, Eve, and a serpent that could talk. Throughout the rest of the Bible there is no mention of anyone else having been there. Therefore, this leader of Tyre could not have been there.
“Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.“ describes a few more amazing discoveries. First of all there are nine jewels listed. In the book of Exodus chapter 28 we find these same jewels, 15 “You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it. 16 It shall be doubled into a square: a span shall be its length, and a span shall be its width. 17 And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; 18 the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings. 21 And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.”
There are a total of twelve precious stones on the High Priest’s breastplate not nine. However, if you look into other manuscripts you find that the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate versions list in Ezekiel all 12 jewels not 9. Another startling fact is that the colors of these stones form a prism. So, whoever this person is, he is described as being clothed in light.
‘The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.’ – wait a minute! There were only two ‘human beings’ who were created – Adam and Eve. Everyone else who ever lived from that point on was born. We do know from Scripture that our Lord God also created angels.
Tabrets and pipes are musical items. We read in Genesis chapter 4 the first time man got involved with musical instruments, ”21 His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.” This was 8 generations after Adam left the Garden of Eden. Based on this information in the book of Ezekiel it appears that this unique individual was in charge of the worship in Heaven.
14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.”
It is beautiful to hear skeptics explain away this verse. A cherub is an angel. Two or more are called cherubim. So, let’s take a look at these unique creatures. In Genesis chapter three we read, ”24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” Because of the fall of man, God placed the angels there to keep the way to the Tree of Life.
Our Holy Father told Adam that the day he ate of the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil, he would die. After he ate the fruit, did he die? – yes and no. he was still there but he did not know that he died spiritually. This is why the heart broken Ever Ruling God asked him, ‘Adam, where are you?’ He didn’t say this because he couldn’t find Adam and Eve. This was not the first game of ‘hide and seek’.
In the book of Ezekiel chapter 10 we are again acquainted with cherubim, ”10 As for their appearance, all four looked alike—as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel.” There were four cherubs under each corner of God’s chariot. They served as guards and carried The Sovereign Ruler of All Creation.
In verse 14 of chapter 28 we are introduced to another cherub. This one is different then the other six in that he was ‘Anointed’ He was given the highest authority over the other cherubs and possibly over all of the other angels. All in all there appears through the books of the bible to be seven of these cherubim. Being promoted to the highest rank of angels, gave this cherub the unique privilege of free access upon God’s Holy Dwelling Place.[ You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones]
“15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”
The human king of Tyre claimed he was beautiful and was told by Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord of Righteousness, that he was not. Here in verse 15 we read that this cherub was beautiful.- ‘Thou was perfect’ He has superior intellect as 2 Corinthians chapter 11 tells us, ”3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
This cherub was given the same gifts that the Holy Father gave to us. Emotions as the book of Revelation chapter 12 indicates, “17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” He also was given a ‘will’. In fact, this is what caused his downfall as the book of Isaiah chapter 14 points out, 12 “ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 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; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” Seven times he declared ‘I will’ and where did it take him?
16 “ By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. 17 “ Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you. 18 “ You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, and shall be no more forever.”’
This cherub is limited by God in what he can do as Job chapter 1 reveals, 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” He is not equal to the Almighty Holy God, which is shown to us in the book of 1 John chapter 4, ”4 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.”
The prophetic lamentation over the king of Tyre is describing this cherub and not a mere human king. The message here is spoken toward the power behind this wicked earthly kingdom. So, who are we talking about? For one thing the prophet gave us one of his names – Lucifer [Son of the morning]. The most familiar name is ‘Satan’ as we are informed by our Lord, Savior, King, and Master Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 4, ”10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Isaiah now comes back from his focus on Satan to talk about this king of Babylon;
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. 16 “ Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?’ 18 “ All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, everyone in his own house; 19 But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, like the garment of those who are slain, thrust through with a sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a corpse trodden underfoot. 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land and slain your people. The brood of evildoers shall never be named. 21 Prepare slaughter for his children because of the iniquity of their fathers, lest they rise up and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities.” 22 “ For I will rise up against them,” says the LORD of hosts, “ And cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, and offspring and posterity,” says the LORD.
Here is a good question to ask ourselves? How many people who have ever lived are remembered? The answer – not many. Did this king, who thought he was such a hot shot, ever make it to the ‘Who’s Who’ list of great people. Nope, we do not even remember his name just as the Lord said would happen – ‘15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. 16 “ Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?’ 18 “ All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, everyone in his own house; 19 But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, like the garment of those who are slain, thrust through with a sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a corpse trodden underfoot. 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land and slain your people. The brood of evildoers shall never be named.’
The Lord says in the book of Exodus chapter 20 that we can understand how the iniquities that parent do will cause future problems for their descendents, ‘For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.’
Thus, the sins of this king will hurt his children and grandchildren - 21 Prepare slaughter for his children because of the iniquity of their fathers, lest they rise up and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities.” 22 “ For I will rise up against them,” says the LORD of hosts, “ And cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, and offspring and posterity,” says the LORD.
We read now how God’s purposes will be fulfilled – no matter what;
23 “ I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and marshes of muddy water; I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” says the LORD of hosts. 24 The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, “ Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand: 25 That I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders. 26 This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
Also, please notice these things. For one, Babylon will be totally wiped off the map. It will be a natural habitat that no one will even recognize - 23 “ I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and marshes of muddy water; I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” says the LORD of hosts.’
This decision was made by the Great Adoni Yahweh Himself – ‘24 The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, “ Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand:’
Everyone person will know that this deliverance of the Jews was determined by God and nothing, absolutely nothing will stop it from happening exactly as He has said, ‘25 That I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, and his burden removed from their shoulders. 26 This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
From verses 28 through 32 we now come to a different burden of Isaiah. He now includes the Philistines future punishment.
28 This is the burden which came in the year that King Ahaz died. 29 “ Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, because the rod that struck you is broken; For out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper, and its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. 30 The firstborn of the poor will feed, and the needy will lie down in safety; I will kill your roots with famine, and it will slay your remnant. 31 Wail, O gate! Cry, O city! All you of Philistia are dissolved; For smoke will come from the north, and no one will be alone in his appointed times.” 32 What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.
Do you remember 9/11? Do you remember the TV footage of people from Islamic nation smiling and dancing in the streets at the news of the twin towers attack? Throughout history the nations that have surrounded Israel have rejoiced greatly when God’s people have been abused. Well, now God says through the prophet Isaiah to the Philistines, ‘So, you are happy about the coming invasion of the Babylonians. Well, your joy will turn to fear, horror, and wailing when you realize that this nation is coming after you also. My people shall have refuge in Me. You won’t.’
