The Fall of Lucifer

“Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it” (Source Unknown).

Pride

In his military might this great king had laid low the nations, including Phoenicia, Philistia, Egypt, Moab, Edom, Cilicia, and much of Judah (vv. 12-15). But he would fall like a morning star. The brilliance of a star in the early dawn suddenly vanishes when the sun rises. Sennacherib, because of his great power, thought himself godlike, but now by startling contrast he would be in the grave. In the ancient Near East, kings had supreme power; many were deified by their subjects. The people taunting this tyrant pictured him ascribing godlike characteristics to himself. Ascending to heaven above the stars and being enthroned on the sacred mountain recalls the belief of several Semitic peoples that the gods lived on Mount Zaphon. By ascending the mountain above the clouds, he was seeking to make himself like God, the Most High. Yet he would be brought low to the grave. Nothing could save him from death and from decay in the grave.

People would ponder Sennacherib’s fate, finding it hard to believe he was the same one who had made everyone tremble in fear by devastating cities and taking so many people captives (vv. 16-17). In his death he was not even given a decent burial as are most kings who lie in state (v. 18). He would be cut off completely, killed by the sword and trampled underfoot (vv. 19-20). He was assassinated by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer, who were then unable to rule in his place (they would not rise to inherit the land, (v. 21) because they had to run for their lives (II Kings 19:37). Babylon’s destruction by Assyria (vv. 22-23). Pride was Satan’s sin as well as Babylon’s. In fact he was cast out of heaven because of his pride. It is his desire to destroy God and to dominate the world. He doesn’t have a pitchfork, horns and a pointed tail but is an angel of light.

Application

Israel made the mistake of being too proud to depend on God, and I am vulnerable to that same mistake. He must increase while I decrease.

Isaiah 14:12-23 (English Standard Version)


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