Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Full of Yourself?
Not long ago, as I was studying for a sermon, I noticed a picture in my Bible dictionary of the Temple at Palmyra in Syria. It was an old black and white photo well over 100 years old, but it spoke to something that happened that very week. We had just received news that some ancient artifacts and structures in Syria had been destroyed. The truth is that all human accomplishment will one day come to an end.
In Isaiah 14 we are reminded that God will put a lid on all human pride. This chapter speaks of how the pride of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire would be brought down. No matter how long our accomplishments may last, how many history books may record them, or how many people think well of them, God will put a lid on all human pride.
Later in the chapter Isaiah says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Lucifer says, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation…I will be like the most high God.” He pridefully says, “I will…I will…I will.”
Who is this Lucifer? Some people believe he is Nebuchadnezzar. The chapter talks about how God would bring down Nebuchadnezzar and his pride. Many think this chapter speaks of the devil himself because this is the essential picture of who the devil is. He is full of self. These verses also seem to describe the way I have a tendency to live my life. So who are these verses about? The answer is that a person is most like the devil when he is most full of himself.
When I live in pride like Lucifer, the distinction between my actions and the actions of the devil are almost indistinguishable. There is only room for one God in my life, and it cannot be me and the Lord God at the same time. God alone is unchangeable, and in a changing world it is wise for me to glory in Him and not in myself.