The King of Babylon
This chapter is difficult to discuss. There is not a main point or line of thought connecting the chapter as a whole nor a narrative that is obvious to understand. If anything, the names and places are quite important, but to what degree is uncertain. This passage is about the Lord returning to Israel after being ruled by other nations. Historically speaking, nothing in the chapter has clearly occurred. One could argue that parts of the passage have been fulfilled, but not its entirety. That is very interesting.
The nations that are mentioned seem to be important also; Babylon, Assyria and Philistines. These three nations are specifically identified in scripture as oppressive nations against Israel. Goliath was a Philistine; which many Christians know from the story of “David and Goliath.” Assyria was constantly invading Israel and Judah after the nation split in a civil war after Solomon’s death. Lastly, Babylon was the nation that captured and enslaved Israel and Judah; most people will know this from the prophet Daniel’s life and book.
While these are actual nations that existed in history and afflicted real suffering upon the people of Israel, the prophecy in Isaiah doesn’t seem to directly speak to the nations of Isaiah’s lifetime. My focus will be on the portion regarding Babylon since my knowledge of Assyria and the Philistines is lacking.
Starting out in Isaiah 14, there is an awesome foreshadowing about the integration of Gentiles into Israel. The end of verse 1 says that “Aliens will join them (Israel) and unite with the house of Jacob.” While a great portion of the Bible emphasizes Israel’s role in the world, it is extremely encouraging to see the integration of Gentiles into the promise weaved throughout scripture—mainly because I am a Gentile by Biblical standards.
In verse 3, the passage shifts to focus on Israel and Babylon as nations. The verse says, “On the day the Lord gives you relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon.” The use of a title, while not uncommon, is quite interesting. It doesn’t state a person to which this taunt will be given, but rather a position. Further, this prophecy does not have clear application to Israel and Judah yet. At the time of this prophecy, Israel and Judah were not in captivity to Babylon. The prophecy was given during the time of King Ahaz of Judah, roughly between the years 743-727 B.C. The Babylonian captivity did not begin until the ~600 B.C. (remember in B.C. dates that the lower date happens after the higher date; example, year 601 precedes year 600, and year 600 precedes 599, etc.). The prophecy that Isaiah gave would not make sense at the time; it was a dual prophecy: 1) that Israel would become captives to Babylon and 2) that the Lord would free Israel from Babylon.
The purpose of focusing on the nation of Babylon is the symbolic significance throughout scripture. In the previous chapter (Isaiah 13), God announces that he “is mustering an army of war” to “destroy the whole country;” referring to Babylon (Is. 13:1,4-5). In Isaiah 14:12-17, we are told a bit more about this “king of Babylon” through the taunts.
“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! 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.” But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew it cities and would not let his captives go home?” – Isaiah 14:12-17
To be frank, this passage is rather confusing and difficult to interpret. Many scholars interpret this passage to refer to Satan, comparing it with Ezekiel 28:12-19 about the King of Tyre. These two kings are equated with the spiritual powers of darkness according to most scholars. There is nothing to directly indicate this interpretation is incorrect; rather the interpretation that Satan is the king of Babylon or the “power” behind the king of Babylon is quite reasonable. Revelation 12:7 seems to expound upon this mystery; “And there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
Throughout the book of Revelation, the devil, anti-Christ, false prophet and his kingdom are referred to as “Babylon.” It is connecting these two prophecies that scholars conclude that the “king of Babylon” in Isaiah is a reference to Satan. Here again, Isaiah is proclaiming another prophecy about the “End Times.” When the taunts are lined up with what happens to Satan in Revelation 19:20, “But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet…the two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur,” it seems clear these are the same person. According to my knowledge, the king of Babylon did not endure such taunts—unless it is referring to King Nebuchadnezzar’s time living as a wild beast (Daniel 4:28-37). However, it seems unlikely since Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God’s glory and power once his punishment was complete; but there is no indication in Scripture that Satan repents.
This passage has been fascinating to digest and I hope it encourages you to dig deeper. The Bible is full of mysteries and crazy events. While some principles or ideas could be drawn from this passage, it didn’t seem appropriate. I felt the need to demonstrate the depth and complexity of the Bible. The Bible is not always straightforward or obvious. There is plenty of room to grow in understanding. Fortunately, regardless of Satan or the wreckage he brings on the world, my fate is sealed with Christ.
