"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!"
--Isaiah 14:12 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on September 24, 2013 of Proverbs 7:1-5; Hebrews 3; Isaiah 14-16.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the invading forces of Assyria, its people carried off into captivity. Judah, the Southern Kingdom, seemed to be following the Northern Kingdom's example of apostasy and disobedience of God's voice. King Ahaz, against Isaiah's counsel, foolishly sought protection for Judah from Assyria shortly before they attacked Israel. His God-fearing son Hezekiah instituted spiritual reforms during his reign, but it was only by divine intervention that Judah did not fall victim to the same fate as Israel. His successor Manasseh reinstated idolatrous practices, again mimicking Israel before their fall. Into this mess Isaiah shouted, a voice of reason in a sea of national spiritual insanity. Through this great prophet, God told of His Son's coming to man, but He also warned Judah of their own impending defeat and captivity at the hands of Babylon. God, through Isaiah, softened the blow a little by assuring the people that their nation would not be utterly destroyed, a remnant would be preserved.
The Book of Isaiah opens with a condemnation of Judah but includes the promise of its salvation, the coming Messiah. Isaiah goes on to denounce other nations and their actions, such as Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, and Egypt. He notes that God will have compassion on His people and the house of Jacob would outlast those that would conquer them and take them captive. The oppressors of God's people will all fall, even the great Babylon, which Isaiah describes as "the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride" (please see Isaiah 13:19). In today's focus verse, Isaiah is speaking for the people, looking ahead to what they will say on that day after Babylon has fallen and they are released from captivity. The people will mock the dethroned King of Babylon and say, "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer!" Isaiah isn't saying that the king is really Lucifer, but that the spirit of Satan is embodied in the king. The references to the fallen angel are clear in the following verses, and his presence in the oppressors is evident in their actions, in their treatment of others, and especially of the chosen of God.
Sadly, Lucifer can still be seen in action today, embodied in petty dictators, living inside all those who would take advantage of the weak and defenseless. Satan stalks our world looking for any he can persuade to do his bidding. We can do like Israel and Manasseh and the king of Babylon, allowing Lucifer a home in our hearts. Or we can understand that the Savior promised by God and Isaiah has already come to us and offers us redemption. We can choose who we give ourselves to, who we allow to live and work within us. Choose Jesus and live. Amen.
Father in heaven, Your prophets spoke for You to Your people in their day. But then You sent Your Son and everything is said through Him. He is the promise You made so long ago. Thank You, Father, for the gift of Jesus and Your grace that by our belief in Him we might be saved. May Lucifer never find a home in us, Lord God we pray. In the glorious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
The Book of Isaiah opens with a condemnation of Judah but includes the promise of its salvation, the coming Messiah. Isaiah goes on to denounce other nations and their actions, such as Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, and Egypt. He notes that God will have compassion on His people and the house of Jacob would outlast those that would conquer them and take them captive. The oppressors of God's people will all fall, even the great Babylon, which Isaiah describes as "the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride" (please see Isaiah 13:19). In today's focus verse, Isaiah is speaking for the people, looking ahead to what they will say on that day after Babylon has fallen and they are released from captivity. The people will mock the dethroned King of Babylon and say, "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer!" Isaiah isn't saying that the king is really Lucifer, but that the spirit of Satan is embodied in the king. The references to the fallen angel are clear in the following verses, and his presence in the oppressors is evident in their actions, in their treatment of others, and especially of the chosen of God.
Sadly, Lucifer can still be seen in action today, embodied in petty dictators, living inside all those who would take advantage of the weak and defenseless. Satan stalks our world looking for any he can persuade to do his bidding. We can do like Israel and Manasseh and the king of Babylon, allowing Lucifer a home in our hearts. Or we can understand that the Savior promised by God and Isaiah has already come to us and offers us redemption. We can choose who we give ourselves to, who we allow to live and work within us. Choose Jesus and live. Amen.
Father in heaven, Your prophets spoke for You to Your people in their day. But then You sent Your Son and everything is said through Him. He is the promise You made so long ago. Thank You, Father, for the gift of Jesus and Your grace that by our belief in Him we might be saved. May Lucifer never find a home in us, Lord God we pray. In the glorious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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