READ: Is. 14:1-15
For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. – Is. 14:1
In this passage, Isaiah provides an additional reason for God’s destruction of Babylon. God will once again show compassion to His people and lead them back to their own land from which they were exiled. This will happen through the decree of Cyrus. This is an expression of God’s electing grace, His love, and faithfulness.
The people, who had been led by God from Egypt to Canaan, do not deserve this, for they have been unfaithful to God. But now that they have been punished, God turns His attention back to His people. They are allowed to live in peace in their own land after enduring oppression under rulers. This true rest will only come when Christ pays for the forgiveness of their sins.
Even foreigners will now join God’s people (v.1). This implies that Gentiles will also share in the peace of the Kingdom of God. This Old Testament concept is developed here. As promised, foreigners from all nations will share in the blessing of Abraham, accomplished through Christ, not as rulers, but as servants.
Next follows a taunting song about Babylon’s downfall and the death of the king of Babylon. The question is: are we allowed to mock the suffering of others? We should not mock in a sense of deriving pleasure from their pain, but only to praise God’s wise counsel and righteous judgment (Ps. 2:4; Ps. 59:9; Is. 37:22; 2 Kings 19:21).
Here, these are God’s own words that Isaiah puts on Israel’s lips. This is God’s own mockery over the prideful of the earth who have risen in rebellion against Him. Although they were instruments in His hand to discipline His people, they boasted in their own strength, despised God, and oppressed God’s people immoderately (Deut. 32:27,36). Thus, they brought God’s judgment upon themselves.
Did Israel deserve God’s attention and care?
Singing: Ps. 2:2,4