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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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?
4. 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