Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Isaiah+014
Chapter 14 (ESV)
3 When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:
“How the oppressor has ceased,
the insolent fury ceased!
5 The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked,
the scepter of rulers,
6 that struck the peoples in wrath
with unceasing blows,
that ruled the nations in anger
with unrelenting persecution.
7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet;
they break forth into singing.
8 The cypresses rejoice at you,
the cedars of Lebanon, saying,
‘Since you were laid low,
no woodcutter comes up against us.’
9 Sheol beneath is stirred up
to meet you when you come;
it rouses the shades to greet you,
all who were leaders of the earth;
it raises from their thrones
all who were kings of the nations.
10 All of them will answer
and say to you:
‘You too have become as weak as we!
You have become like us!’
11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,
the sound of your harps;
maggots are laid as a bed beneath you,
and worms are your covers.
12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
REFLECTION:
- This is a taunt song which celebrates the overthrow of the ruler of Babylon who personifies the pride that marked the nation as a whole.
- The words “suffering”, “turmoil”and “the harsh labour” are used to describe the cruel oppression by the Babylonian king; and “at rest” and “at peace” describe the state of the people after the death of the tyrant.
- Is there anybody who may think that you are a “tyrant” who always gives people hard time by causing “suffering, turmoil and harsh labor”? If you are taken from your position, will that make others feel “at rest”, “at peace”? Why?
- Talk with God of this revelation and ask help for you to change.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
HYMN:
Humble Heart – youtu.be/E6P858RiYiA
