Isaiah: Pomp Brought Down

Isaiah 14

Are you familiar with the seven deadly sins? Here’s the list: greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Oh, I missed the first one on the list—pride. The writer C. S. Lewis would agree that pride should be listed at the top. In his book Mere Christianity, he devoted an entire chapter to what he calls “the great sin,” “the essential vice,” “the utmost evil.” Lewis states:

Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.[1] 

In today’s passage, God deals with this “anti-God state of mind.” 

Isaiah 14 begins with a reminder that Judah will be taken captive by the Babylonians (Isa. 5:13; 6:11-12; 11:11). This happened in 586 BC, one hundred thirty-six years after the fall of the northern kingdom to the Assyrians (722 BC). Jeremiah prophesied that Judah would be in captivity for seventy years and then permitted to return to their land (Jer. 25:1-14). When the Babylonians, led by Belshazzar, fell in 539 BC to the Persians, led by King Cyrus, it opened the door for the exiles to return (Isa. 14:1-2), which occurred under Cyrus’ successor, Darius. 

As a statement on pride, Isaiah described Belshazzar’s arrival in Sheol.

Isaiah 14:4b-6
How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased! The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers, that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution. 

Isaiah notes that the earth rejoices in Babylon’s fall as it breaks “forth into singing" (Isa. 14:7). And all the kings in hell rise up to mockingly welcome Belshazzar.

Isaiah 14:9-11
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. All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ 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. 

Belshazzar had been the king of a powerful nation, but he was “cut down to the ground” (Isa. 14:12). His heart was filled with pride.

Isaiah 14:13-17
You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ 

There is some debate about whether this passage has a double application. Indeed, it is written about Belshazzar. But does it have a secondary implication regarding Satan’s fall? If Isaiah’s prophecy did not have Satan in mind, the ultimate sin of pride in the statement, “I will make myself like the Most High,” certainly applies to the evil one.

Not only did God take down Babylon, but two more countries are on his list in Isaiah 14. God will “break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot” (Isa. 14:25). Philistia is facing destruction as well. God said, “Wail, O gate; cry out, O city; melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you! For smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks” (Isa. 14:31).

God’s warnings will always come to pass. What he sets out to accomplish, he will do. No earthly king or kingdom can alter God’s sovereign plan. Here’s today’s Anchor Point:

Isaiah 14:27 (NIV)
For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

Today’s chapter reminds us that pride was the downfall of ancient kings. They left no room for God; indeed, many believed they were gods themselves. This solemn warning urges us to examine our hearts intentionally: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18).

Let me wrap up with these words from C. S. Lewis regarding the far-reaching sin of pride:

As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. 

That raises a terrible question. How is it that people who are quite obviously eaten up with Pride say they believe in God and appear to themselves very religious? I am afraid it means they are worshipping an imaginary God.[2]

Spiritual renewal begins when we take a serious and honest inventory of our attitudes, thoughts, and actions. In your time with God today, ask him to point out any scarlet-colored stains of pride and wash them as white as snow (Isa. 1:18).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on the coming Kingdom described in Isaiah 14. Consider what our Anchor Point, Isaiah 14:27, means for your life.

Talking to God: Focus on Isaiah 1:18 during your conversation with God. Ask him to highlight your sins and cleanse you from their stain. 

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as you explore God's Word. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about what it means to follow Jesus or if you desire spiritual counsel.

Make this a day of spiritual cleansing and renewal.