As God’s judgments are turned against Babylon and the other nations, Isaiah 14 begins with good news for the people of God. “For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel.” While the Old Testament contains sober warnings about the harsh consequences of sin, God’s heart is always full of grace and mercy. He will never fail to keep His promises, even while disciplining His children. So a great reversal is pictured at the end of time. Brutal tyrants will no longer be on top; the last shall be first. And the foreign nations oppressing the LORD’s people will someday be welcomed into His family, gladly taking their places of service in the kingdom of God (v 1-2). The king of Babylon, along with all this world’s proud leaders, will eventually come to nothing. The people of God, on the other hand, will rest and rejoice. We are too easily intimidated by those with worldly power as they arrogantly taunt the humble and the righteous—for the meek will eventually inherit the whole earth. God opposes the proud, but His grace is for the humble (v 3-32). It is human nature to boast during times of prosperity. Like the self-deceived Babylonians, who imagined that they stood “above the stars of God” (v 13), we are prone to forget that we only prosper under the sovereign rule of God. When God’s judgment comes, what once seemed invincible can easily be swept away (v 22-23). But “the LORD has founded Zion.” The city of God lies safely under His protection. Refuge and grace can only be enjoyed by those who find it in God’s presence, trusting in the provision of His Son (v 32). The boastful spirit typical of all evil rulers originated in the king of evil himself. “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!” (v 12). One of Satan’s names is Lucifer, which means “morning star.” So while the context reminds us that this is primarily a reference to the king of Babylon, the devil’s shadow seems to lie behind this passage. In his proud rebellion against God, Satan exalted himself to his own eternal ruin (v 13-16). We might say then, that Babylon’s king was a type of Satan, who is by nature anti-Christ. Of course, “morning star” is a title that rightly belongs to our Savior (Revelation 22:16), but the devil is always trying to take what belongs to Christ. This is his nature, and it is also characteristic of those who are held in his power, like these Babylonian kings. They personified the very spirit of Satan, thinking too highly of themselves. Let us examine our own hearts today, lest the seeds of these sins begin to emerge in our lives also. For further meditation: