THE LORD SPOKE (September 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Isaiah 14-16

Isaiah 14:12-15

This passage does not speak of Satan. Though that has been a common interpretation, there is no basis for it in the text itself. Consider the following:

1. The passage is addressed directly to Babylon (12:1 & 14:3) and is part of a larger unit in the prophecy of Isaiah which includes judgments of Babylon (13:1-14:23), Assyria (14:24-27), Philistia (14:28-32), Moab (15:1 - 16:13), Damascus (17:1-14)...and so forth. It is clearly in the context of God’s judgment upon the nations surrounding Israel.
2. Satan is nowhere mentioned in the text. Some would argue with that and point to “Lucifer” in vs. 12. But Lucifer isn’t in vs. 12! The Hebrew for “O morning star, son of the dawn” is hillel ben shahar, which was translated lucifer in Jerome’s Latin Vulgate in the early 5th century AD. Thus a Roman Catholic doctrine was born and found its way into the King James Version of 1611, thus twisting our theology ever since. Simply put, “Lucifer” is not a biblical name for Satan and Satan is not in Isaiah 14 except by circular reasoning.
3. Satan has not yet been cast out of heaven. It is true that the fall of Satan and other angels took place already but the Devil has not been banned from heaven. He still has access to the throne of God (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7) and accuses the saints. In fact, the Hebrew term satan means “accuser” and from that it came to be a proper name for the Devil. He will only be cast out (banned) after the final war in heaven in Revelation 12:7-9.

No, this passage is about the wicked king of Babylon, pure and simple. Do make this comparison though...his self-exaltation stands in stark contrast to the Lord Jesus as described in Philippians 2:6-9.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name....

The king who tried to be higher than God was “brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit” (Is. 14:15) but the King who humbled himself was exalted by the Father in Heaven. The result will be

...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)

Psalm 15-16

Priests got to “dwell in His sanctuary” and “live on His holy hill”. But could anyone else? Or is this psalm about something less physical? Might it be speaking of a personal walk with God that is so close that it may be defined as dwelling with Him? Who has that?

Certainly by application, at least, that is true. Psalm 15 employs beautiful Hebraic parallelism to give six answers to the question of who may dwell with the Lord.

1. BLAMELESS WALK - “he whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous” (vs. 2a) - David has just told us that “there is none righteous, no not one” (Ps. 14:3) but by God’s grace we are to pursue a “walk that is blameless” (c.f. Ps. 84:11; 101:2). New Testament truth tells us of a “righteousness not our own” (Phil. 3:9; c.f. Eph. 1:4; Rom. 10:5-6).
2. TRUTHFUL TALK - “who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue” (vs. 2b-3a) - Literally, it says “speaks the truth in his heart”. Apart from having truth embedded in your heart, keeping slander off the tongue will be a hard task (Jas. 3:7-8 says no man can do it perfectly). When truth is found at the source, the tributaries will reflect that.
3. GOOD NEIGHBOR - “who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man” (vs. 3b) - All those around him recognize it because they’ve been the beneficiaries of his good deeds and they’ve heard him talk. They know he guards his tongue and can be trusted. His life and lip match up.
4. STRAIGHT-SHOOTER - “who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord” (vs. 4a) - He doesn’t call evil, good, and is more concerned with truth and justice than with PC and CW. Those who order their lives in accordance with God’s will are his closest associates and he has nothing to do with those given over to sin.
5. PROMISE-KEEPER - “who keeps his oath even when it hurts” (vs. 4b) - He is a man of his word who can be counted on. He doesn’t just disappear when things get tough. Furthermore, he’s one who will give his word in the first place - not the kind you can never pin down, unwilling to commit to anything.
6. WISE WALLET - “who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent” (vs. 5a) - He’s not a tight-wad and he can’t be bought. Money matters are in proper balance with him. He’s both generous and above reproach in the area of finances.

Now, there’s a man who reflects God in the way he lives. He dwells with God. Latch on to him!