The Song of Deliverance
Discover Jesus as: Immanuel Isaiah 14-16 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)
Lesson
Audio Only
Teaching Notes
INTRO
Isaiah prophesied between 740–680 B.C. Isaiah’s message was vital to Israel during that time. He was radically obedient to God. Isaiah had a wife and two sons,1 and God asked him to speak to a nation, particularly its kings. We don’t realize what Isaiah had to give up in order to be obedient to God’s call on his life. God told Isaiah how difficult his ministry would be in Isaiah 6: “And He replied, ‘Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed.’ Then I said, ‘Until when, Lord?’ And He replied: Until cities lie in ruins without inhabitants, houses are without people, the land is ruined and desolate, and the Lord drives the people far away, leaving great emptiness in the land’”(Isaiah 6:9–12).
How do you think people responded to the message that Israel would go into captivity? Isaiah’s message for years was that Israel would go through the worst period in its history. What motivated him to repeatedly proclaim that message? His obedience to God.
Throughout the Bible, other men have paved the way for Isaiah in obedience to God’s calling:
- Abraham responded to God by faith: “Then Abraham answered, ‘Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord—even though I am dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27).
- Jacob obeyed God: “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps’” (Genesis 32:10).
- Job realized that he brought nothing to the table: “The Lord answered Job: ‘Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who argues with God give an answer.’ Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I am so insignificant. How can I answer You? I place my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice but now I can add nothing’” (Job 40:1–5).
TEACHING
Isaiah 14:1-2: Isaiah 13 contains God’s oracle against Babylon. Babylon had been used to judge Israel. But when God’s judgment came on Babylon, Israel experienced God’s restoration. God promised to bring Israel back to “their own land” alongside foreigners (Isaiah 14:1). This would be similar to what happened during the Exodus: “The Israelites traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about 60,000 soldiers on foot, besides their families. An ethnically diverse crowd also went up with them, along with a huge number of livestock, both flocks and herds” (Exodus 12:37–38). Afterwards, MacArthur noted a “great role reversal,” in which “the Israelites will be the rulers of those nations that once dominated them.”2
Isaiah 14:3–4: After God judged Babylon, Israel would sing a “song of contempt” (v. 4).
Isaiah 14:5–8: After Babylon was judged, everything would be calm. Even the trees of Lebanon rejoice because no one comes to cut them anymore (v. 8).
Isaiah 14:9–11: Sheol is synonymous for our word, “hell.” MacArthur noted, “Those kings of the nations, already in the place of the dead, stage a welcome party for the arriving king of Babylon.”3 They welcomed the king of Babylon to their place of judgment and humiliation in death.
Isaiah 14:12–15: Isaiah described the king of Babylon, while simultaneously describing Satan, using five “I will” statements:4
I will ascend to the heavens. Satan wanted to ascend to a place of authority.
I will set up my throne. Satan wanted to sit in a position of authority.
I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly. Satan wanted to be greater than anyone else.
I will ascend above the highest clouds. Satan wanted to continue climbing higher and higher.
I will make myself like the Most High. Ultimately, Satan wanted and wants to be like God.
But Satan will not succeed: “But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:15). “The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10)
CLOSING
Many of us have been called like Isaiah. As we send the Lord’s message, we are in the midst of a battle. The enemy is constantly trying to keep the messengers from delivering the message. Our job is to stay the course and deliver the message that will set people free.
John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 755.
MacArthur, p. 777.
MacArthur, p. 777.
MacArthur, p. 777-778.
Questions
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Who were the strangers Isaiah spoke about in Isaiah 14:1 (Isaiah 56:6–7; 60:10; 61:5)? Why was this good news for the Gentiles? Was it God’s intention for every one of us to have the opportunity to be saved from the beginning (Genesis 12:3)?
Daily Word
Laura Martin Isaiah 14:12–13a, 15
“Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. You said to yourself: ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God.’ But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit.”
Satan, the shining morning star, arrogantly proclaimed: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne,” along with other “I will” statements. A battle rages. Satan has always and will always attempt to elevate himself above God. But God is not the great “I will.” God is the great I Am––the One who is and the One to come. He’s the author and the creator. He’s the first and the last. He is the name above all other names. He reigns victorious. Others will attempt to say they will be higher and greater, but only God will sit on the throne. Only God will reign victorious.
The great I Am is on your side. The great I Am is with you, and He fights your battles. You are never alone. Satan, full of pride, will attempt to gain ground in your life, but the I Am is greater because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Arrogance and pride will gain zero ground for Satan, just like arrogance and pride in your own life will lead to defeat. Walk in humility as Christ walked in humility, and in due time, you will be lifted up. You have a choice— pride or humility. Choose humility, and you will be victorious.
“Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. You said to yourself: ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God.’ But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit.”
— Isaiah 14:12–13a, 15
FURTHER SCRIPTURE
- Exodus 6:2 — “Then God spoke to Moses, telling him, ‘I am Yahweh.’”
- Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”
- 1 Peter 5:6 — “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
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