What does Isaiah 14:24 mean?
Isaiah delivered an oracle against Babylon in Chapter 13. This is followed by a taunt-song against Babylon's fallen king in this chapter (Isaiah 14:4–21). Now, the prophet begins to prophesy about Assyria (Isaiah 14:24–27).Commentators speculate that this is not a new oracle, but a continuation of the prophecy against Babylon. These scholars suggest that "Babylon" mentioned in this chapter is the representative name for all the Mesopotamian powers in the region. They suggest that this prediction focuses more specifically on Assyria. Or, perhaps, the Lord sees future Babylon as a mere extension of Assyria, which was the major threat of Isaiah's time.
In either case, this is a revelation from the Lord. Isaiah simply quotes God as saying what He will do. The Lord of hosts has sworn to act in a specific way, and that is what will happen. "Hosts" here is referring to the armies of angels the Lord has at His command. God makes it clear that He will do as He has decided to do. Nothing will cause the course of events to be altered.
Chapter 14:24–27 presents a brief prophecy against the Assyrians living in Isaiah's own time. The Lord openly declares His purpose to break the Assyrians in His land. He will break their oppression of His people. This likely happened in 701 BC when Assyrian King Sennacherib held Jerusalem in a siege. The angel of the Lord struck down massive numbers of Assyrians in a single night (2 Kings 19:35–36). Nobody can alter what the Lord has purposed or annul His plans. The Lord will do as He said He will do.
After the oracle against Babylon in the previous chapter, Isaiah briefly describes what will follow for Judah. In compassion, the Lord will choose His people once more. He will return them to their homeland. They will sing a mocking taunt-song against the fallen king of Babylon. Isaiah pronounces oracles from the Lord against Assyria and Philistia. The Lord will break the Assyrians in His land. With heavy symbolism, Isaiah seems to prophecy that the Assyrians will defeat the Philistines with a siege four years before it happens. God's people will find refuge in Zion.
