The Noontimes

Isaiah 14: Downfall

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Several years ago we looked at this chapter and focused on the Babylonian ruler who is compared here to Lucifer, the “Day Star,” the one with a bright and promising future.  He heeds his own call of resentment and jealousy rather than the redeeming call of God.  Here is some of what we were thinking.

He has been so overcome by his envy that he has refused to be obedient to God, has struck out on his own to achieve his own goals, and in the process has organized and unleashed the demons who harass and sometimes possess us. Not happy thoughts. But the lesson here of course is that in the end these people and spirits so obsessed with power will one day suffer complete domination by others. Scripture is so full of irony and paradox. And here is an irony expressed so beautifully in the NAV in verse 12, “How have you fallen from the heavens, O morning star, son of the dawn! How are you cut down to the ground, you who mowed down the nations!” I think of the people I know or the politicians I see who wield cruel control over people, and I pray that they hear this verse and see themselves, move toward God and give way to conversion.

Tyranny in any form eventually falls to its knees.  Freedom is what Jesus brings to us – freedom from fear, freedom to witness to the Gospel story.

Oppression in any form has only a temporal hold on us.  Openness is what the Father offers to us – openness and union.

Subjugation in any form cannot touch us when we prepare a place for the Spirit to dwell in us.  Love is the essence of the Spirit – love and the gift of community.

Tyranny, oppression, and subjugation: these are what we find in the darkness when we act out of envy and pride.

Freedom, openness and love: these are what we discover when we offer up our agony, move through our suffering, and allow the healing hand of God to transform us.

Yesterday we reflected on the steadfastness we need in the journey.  Today we look at the pitfalls that clutter our path as we journey toward our full and total conversion.  If we will want to avoid the downfall of the “Morning Star,” we must cleave to Christ in all we think and say and do.

Image from: https://images.knowing-jesus.com/i/isaiah-14-12-how-you-have-fallen-from-heaven-o-lucifer-brownjpg#