Since Babylon was Judah’s great enemy, any judgment on Babylon was an expression of mercy on Israel. So, Isaiah follows the pronouncement of judgment on Babylon with the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel.

1. Israel will come back to God and their own land with the Babylonians their prisoners (vs. 1-2)

The Babylonians had forcibly exiled most of the population of Judah, so the promise of return was precious. The re-gathered and restored Israel would invite Gentiles to receive the goodness of God with them. In inviting the strangers to come and be joined with them, Israel eliminates their enemies. The ultimate way to conquer an enemy is to make them your friend!

2. The carol of conquest (vs. 3-11)

Isaiah gives the words of the redeemed taunting and rejoicing over the fall of Babylon that will finally come in the future. God want us to know now that the king of spiritual Babylon – Satan – that his days are numbered. There will come a day when his oppression has ceased, and when the Lord will break the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.

We often inflate Satan’s status and importance. We think of him as the opposite of God; as if God were light and Satan was darkness, as if God were hot and Satan was cold. Satan wishes he was the opposite of God, but God wants us to know now what everyone will know someday – that Satan is a mere creature, and is in no way the opposite of God. If Satan has an opposite, it is not God the Father or God the Son; it would be a high-ranking angelic being such as Michael.

3. The proud conceit of the King of Babylon and Lucifer (vs. 12-15)

Isaiah is writing of the King of Babylon and of the Antichrist who are both charged by the power of Satan. See Ezekiel 28 & John 8:44. Lucifer means “the shining one”. See also 2 Corinthians 11:13. He appears as something beautiful but is really evil. He does not have horns, a tail or swarthy skin. In verses 13-14 we have the sin of Satan, who states his unbelief of God by the five “I wills”. Satan’s pride leads to his revolt. Man is so like this when he is against God.

4. The destruction of the King of Babylon and his people (vs. 16-23)

Isaiah brings his focus back more upon the king of literal Babylon. He notes the comfort and ease the other kings of the earth enjoy, but not the fallen king of Babylon, who is instead cast out of your grave like an abominable branch. The Lord will cut off from Babylon the name and remnant. There will not even be a remnant of Babylon left, when the Lord will sweep it with the broom of destruction. 2 Kings 19:35 describes how God simply sent the angel of the Lord, and killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night. When the people woke up, there were 185,000 dead Assyrian soldiers. God’s judgment will come against the Philistines also. They should not think that just because God was judging the Israelites, that they had somehow escaped.

5. The condemnation of Assyria (vs. 23-27)

See 2 Kings 19:35. It describes how God simply sent the angel of the Lord, and killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night. When the people woke up, there were 185,000 dead Assyrian soldiers. God’s judgment will come against the Philistines also. They should not think that just because God was judging the Israelites, that they had somehow escaped.

6. The prophecy against the Philistines (vs. 28-32)

God’s judgment will come against the Philistines also. They should not think that just because God was judging the Israelites, that they had somehow escaped. The Philistines have captured some Israelite cities during the reign of Hezekiah. The Philistines had been rejoicing that the Davidic Kingdom was broken. Isaiah tells them not to rejoice because ultimately it will overthrow them. The adder in verse 29 is Hezekiah. The final part of verse 29 which says “and his fruit a fiery flying serpent” is likely a reference to the Messiah.

A great army will come from the north and bring misery to them. This great army is Assyria. The future of the Philistines is not as secure as Zion, so they have nothing to rejoice about. God’s place of security is not for the rich and self-sufficient. It is for the poor of His people. It is the poor in spirit who find refuge in God’s city.

Categories: Isaiah