You said in your heart: "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. You said in your heartThis phrase introduces the internal dialogue of a being who is filled with pride and ambition. In the Hebrew text, the word for "heart" is "לֵבָב" (levav), which often signifies the inner self, mind, or will. This indicates that the intentions and desires are deeply rooted within the individual. In a conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the sin of pride, which originates from within and is a fundamental issue of the human condition. The heart is the seat of thought and intention, and this phrase sets the stage for the prideful declarations that follow. I will ascend to the heavens
The desire to "ascend to the heavens" reflects an aspiration to rise above one's ordained place. The Hebrew verb "עָלָה" (alah) means to go up or ascend. This phrase can be seen as an expression of rebellion against God's established order. In the biblical context, the heavens are the realm of God, and the desire to ascend there suggests an attempt to usurp divine authority. This mirrors the temptation of humanity to elevate itself to a god-like status, reminiscent of the original sin in the Garden of Eden. I will raise my throne
Here, the speaker expresses a desire to establish authority and dominion. The word "throne" in Hebrew is "כִּסֵּא" (kisse), symbolizing power and kingship. This phrase indicates an ambition to not only reach the heavens but to establish a position of rulership there. In a conservative Christian interpretation, this reflects the ultimate act of rebellion against God, as it seeks to replace God's sovereignty with self-rule. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of pride and the desire for power. above the stars of God
The "stars of God" are often interpreted as angelic beings or celestial bodies that serve God. The Hebrew word for "stars" is "כּוֹכָבִים" (kokhavim). To place one's throne above them suggests a desire to surpass even the most exalted of God's creations. This phrase underscores the audacity and arrogance of the speaker's ambition. In the broader scriptural context, it serves as a warning against the hubris that seeks to elevate oneself above God's appointed order. I will sit on the mount of assembly
The "mount of assembly" refers to a place of divine council or gathering. The Hebrew term "הַר מוֹעֵד" (har mo'ed) can be understood as a sacred mountain where divine beings convene. This phrase suggests a desire to take a seat among the divine council, further emphasizing the speaker's ambition to claim a position of authority and influence. In a conservative Christian view, this reflects the ultimate rebellion against God's sovereignty, as it seeks to infiltrate and dominate the divine order. in the far reaches of the north
The "far reaches of the north" is often associated with the dwelling place of the gods in ancient Near Eastern mythology. The Hebrew phrase "יַרְכְּתֵי צָפוֹן" (yarketei tsafon) suggests a place of great significance and power. In the biblical context, this can be seen as a metaphor for the highest and most exalted position one could aspire to. This phrase highlights the extent of the speaker's ambition, aiming for the utmost heights of power and glory. From a conservative Christian perspective, it serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of pride and the futility of attempting to usurp God's rightful place. Persons / Places / Events 1. Lucifer (Satan)The primary figure in this passage, traditionally understood as a reference to Satan's prideful rebellion against God. The name "Lucifer" is derived from the Latin translation of "morning star" or "light-bringer." 2. HeavensThe realm of God, representing the ultimate place of authority and power that Lucifer aspired to usurp. 3. Stars of GodOften interpreted as angels or celestial beings, indicating Lucifer's desire to exalt himself above all other created beings. 4. Mount of AssemblyA symbolic place of divine council and authority, possibly referring to Mount Zion or a heavenly counterpart. 5. Far Reaches of the NorthIn ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the north was often associated with divine realms or the abode of the gods, indicating a place of ultimate authority and power. Teaching Points The Danger of PridePride is a root sin that leads to rebellion against God. Just as Lucifer's pride led to his downfall, unchecked pride in our lives can lead us away from God's will. The Illusion of Self-ExaltationSeeking to elevate ourselves above others or even God is a futile endeavor. True exaltation comes from God alone, as He lifts up the humble. The Importance of HumilityEmulating Christ's humility is essential for spiritual growth. Humility aligns us with God's purposes and opens us to His grace. Recognizing Spiritual WarfareUnderstanding the nature of Satan's rebellion helps us recognize the spiritual battles we face. We must be vigilant and rely on God's strength to resist temptation. God's Sovereign AuthorityDespite any rebellion, God's authority remains unchallenged. Trusting in His sovereignty provides peace and assurance in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the pride of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:13 serve as a warning for us in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we guard against the temptation to exalt ourselves above others or God? 3. How does the concept of the "mount of assembly" relate to our understanding of God's authority and our place within His creation? 4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate humility, following the example of Christ as described in Philippians 2? 5. How can recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare, as seen in Isaiah 14 and Revelation 12, impact our prayer life and spiritual disciplines? Connections to Other Scriptures Ezekiel 28This passage parallels Isaiah 14 in describing the fall of a prideful being, often interpreted as a reference to Satan's fall from grace. Revelation 12Describes the war in heaven and the casting down of Satan, connecting to the theme of rebellion and downfall. Philippians 2Contrasts the humility of Christ with the pride of Lucifer, emphasizing the importance of humility in the Christian life. People Ahaz, Isaiah, Jacob, Lucifer, SaraphPlaces Babylon, Lebanon, Philistia, ZionTopics Ascend, Assembly, Congregation, Enthroned, Exalt, Gods, Hast, Heart, Heaven, Heavens, Heights, Higher, Inmost, Meeting, Meeting-place, Mount, Mountain, North, Raise, Recesses, Sacred, Seat, Sides, Sit, Stars, Throne, Utmost, UttermostDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 14:13 8302 love, abuse of Isaiah 14:3-23 4215 Babylon Isaiah 14:11-15 8805 pride, results Isaiah 14:12-13 4281 stars Isaiah 14:12-14 6022 sin, causes of Isaiah 14:12-15 5484 punishment, by God
6157 fall, of Satan
8483 spiritual warfare, causes Isaiah 14:12-20 5849 exaltation Isaiah 14:13-14 5143 climbing
5786 ambition, negative
8401 challenges
8739 evil, examples of
8804 pride, examples Isaiah 14:13-15 8820 self-confidence Library The victory of Life (Preached at the Chapel Royal. )
ISAIAH xxxviii. 18, 19. The grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee. I may seem to have taken a strange text on which to speak,--a mournful, a seemingly hopeless text. Why I have chosen it, I trust that you will see presently; certainly not that I may make you hopeless about death. Meanwhile, let us consider it; for it is in the Bible, and, like all words in the Bible, was written …
Charles Kingsley—The Water of Life and Other SermonsThe Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Evil of Sin visible in the Fall of Angels and Men.
1 When the great Builder arch'd the skies, And form'd all nature with a word, The joyful cherubs tun'd his praise, And every bending throne ador'd. 2 High in the midst of all the throng, Satan, a tall archangel, sat, Amongst the morning stars he sung [1] Till sin destroy'd his heavenly state. 3 ['Twas sin that hurl'd him from his throne, Grov'ling in fire the rebel lies: "How art thou sunk in darkness down, "Son of the morning, from the skies!" [2] 4 And thus our two first parents stood Till sin …
Isaac Watts—Hymns and Spiritual Songs Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop.
To John, Bishop. Gregory to John, Bishop of Constantinople [1586] . At the time when your Fraternity was advanced to Sacerdotal dignity, you remember what peace and concord of the churches you found. But, with what daring or with what swelling of pride I know not, you have attempted to seize upon a new name, whereby the hearts of all your brethren might have come to take offence. I wonder exceedingly at this, since I remember how thou wouldest fain have fled from the episcopal office rather than …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good Livers, But, through the Zeal of Righteousness, Rigid against the vices of Evildoers.
The ruler should be, through humility, a companion of good livers, and, through the zeal of righteousness, rigid against the vices of evil-doers; so that in nothing he prefer himself to the good, and yet, when the fault of the bad requires it, he be at once conscious of the power of his priority; to the end that, while among his subordinates who live well he waives his rank and accounts them as his equals, he may not fear to execute the laws of rectitude towards the perverse. For, as I remember to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Doctrine of Satan.
I. HIS EXISTENCE AND PERSONALITY. 1. EXISTENCE. 2. PERSONALITY. II. HIS PLACE AND POWER. 1. A MIGHTY ANGEL. 2. PRINCE OF POWER OF THE AIR. 3. GOD OF THIS WORLD. 4. HEAD OF KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. 5. SOVEREIGN OVER DEATH. III. HIS CHARACTER. 1. ADVERSARY. 2. DIABOLOS. 3. WICKED ONE. 4. TEMPTER. IV. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SATAN. 1. LIMITED POWER OF SATAN. 2. RESIST HIM. V. HIS DESTINY. 1. A CONQUERED ENEMY. 2. UNDER ETERNAL CURSE. VI. DEMONS. THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN. Throughout the Scriptures Satan is set …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible The Disciple, -- Master, Some People Say that the Comfort and Joy that Believers Experience...
The Disciple,--Master, some people say that the comfort and joy that believers experience are simply the outcome of their own thoughts and ideas. Is this true? The Master,--1. That comfort and abiding peace which believers have within themselves is due to My presence in their hearts, and to the life-giving influence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As for those who say that this spiritual joy is the result only of the thoughts of the heart, they are like a foolish man who was blind from his birth, …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Holy War,
MADE BY SHADDAI UPON DIABOLUS, FOR THE REGAINING OF THE METROPOLIS OF THE WORLD; OR, THE LOSING AND TAKING AGAIN OF THE TOWN OF MANSOUL. THE AUTHOR OF 'THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.' 'I have used similitudes.'--Hosea 12:10. London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms in the Poultry; and Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Bunyan's account of the Holy War is indeed an extraordinary book, manifesting a degree of genius, research, and spiritual …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Opposition to Messiah in Vain
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. T he extent and efficacy [effects] of the depravity of mankind cannot be fully estimated by the conduct of heathens destitute of divine revelation. We may say of the Gospel, in one sense, what the Apostle says of the Law, It entered that sin might abound (Romans 5:20) . It afforded occasion for displaying the alienation of the heart of man from the blessed God, in the strongest light. The sensuality, oppression and …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 14:13 NIVIsaiah 14:13 NLTIsaiah 14:13 ESVIsaiah 14:13 NASBIsaiah 14:13 KJV
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