12/03/2010

Who can Thwart God's Purpose? (Isaiah 14)

God Restores Israel (Isa 14:1,2)

Though God's people Israel was once oppressed by her captors, God, in his election and compassion (Isa 14:1), would reverse the roles of oppressors and the persecuted, such that "they will take captive those who were their captors" (Isa 14:2).

Taunting Oppressors (Isa 14:3-21)

The king of Babylon is representative of arrogant oppressive human power (Isa 14:4). Her tyranny was cruel and unrelenting (Isa 14:6). But God will one day put her in her place (Isa 14:3,5,9-11), and give rest and peace to the world (Isa 14:7,8). The fall of the king of Babylon is like Satan's fall (Isa 14:12-15; Lk 10:18; Rev 12:8-10). The disgrace of the king is that of a corpse on display before all (Isa 14:16-21). The root of pride, which is the beginning of downfall, is well expressed in Isa 14:14: "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

Who can Thwart God's Purpose? (Isa 14:22-32)

God, the true ruler of history, will banish Babylon with a divine resolve (Isa 14:22,23). God will fulfill his own plan and purpose upon Assyria (Isa 14:24-27) and Philistia (Isa 14:28-32). Isa 14:27 says, "For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"

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