Isaiah 10:1-4
Isaiah issues a woe to those who make unjust laws, make oppressive decrees, withhold justice and rob the fatherless. These leaders were writing laws and making judgments for the sole purpose of benefitting themselves. They were stealing from the widows and orphans. With no acknowledgement of the moral and ethical boundaries established by God's law, men were subject to the ever-changing boundaries established by sin-fallen men. The results would always be the same, every time. Corrupt leaders will lead a nation in a moral and ethical death spiral of self-interest. It leads to bondage and death. Every man starts doing what is right in his own eyes.
Isaiah asked them to consider what they will do when the disaster comes. When they could no longer manipulate the situation for their benefit or when justice comes calling, to whom would they run? Where would they run for help?
Even at this, God's anger is not turned away (4th appearance of this phrase.)
Isaiah 10:5-7
Woe to the Assyrian; God used them to judge Israel which made them the rod of His anger. God was sending an ungodly nation against another ungodly nation. Israel was now considered ungodly since they had turned away from Him. The Assyrians saw their military success as coming from their god and from their own strength. It was in their heart to kill, destroy and conquer. But it was Yahweh who allowed it for His purpose, for a time. The Assyrian empire was around for 700 years; their judgment is due.
Note: "The Assyrian" is considered to be another name used for the anti-Christ by some.
Isaiah 10:8-11
The arrogant king of Assyria boasts that his princes are really kings. In doing so, he is claiming to be a king of kings. The names of places in verse 9 are contrast of current victories against previous ones. It's bragging and arrogance. They had already conquered more difficult places that Samaria and Jerusalem. They had already captured the carved images (gods) of other nations. The King of Assyria felt the idols of Samaria and Jerusalem were powerless against the Assyrians. The Assyrians threatened to do to Jerusalem as they had done to Samaria.
Isaiah 10:12
When God is finished using the Assyrians for His stated purpose of judgment, He will punish them for their pride. Once again we are reminded that God hates pride. God did this in 701 B.C. when 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were slain by the angel of the lord. They later fell to Babylon.
Isaiah 10:13-15
Isaiah repeats the Assyrians brag that they have conquered and plundered the nations. The king thinks it is by the strength of his hand that this happened. He was proud and arrogant. They gathered nations as if they were eggs. He felt no one could resist them.
Isaiah gives us a picture of an ax boasting that it is chopping wood to the woodchopper who holds the handle. Then he pictures a proud and arrogant saw bragging of how it can but to the one who holds the handle of the saw in his hand. Neither example is valuable without the men setting them into motion with a purpose. This is what God does with the Assyrians; he sets them in motion with a purpose, His purpose. Imagine a staff trying to ward take a stand and fight against the one who wields it. They were all implements of God and didn't realize it. God is sovereign.
Isaiah 10:16-19
The leanness sent by the Lord is a 'wasting disease'. They are fat because they've been well fed but now by disease or famine they're provisions will be few. While the Lord was using them as judgment, the light of Israel had not gone out. As they approached Jerusalem, they were approaching a fire of judgment on themselves also. The light and holiness of God will burn and devour. The Holy One will be a flame that burns away the thorns and briers. These things are idiomatic of sin. The Holy One would be a reference to Jesus Christ who is the Light. The Assyrian glory will be consumed and all they relied on and took pride in will waste away. In a single day He will consume them.
Isaiah 10:20-23
The remnant of Israel will rely on the Lord and return to Israel. See Ezra 2:64-65 for the number of the remnant returning to the land. Throughout the history of Israel, we see this faithful remnant that held onto the word of the Lord and passed it on to the next generation. Paul quotes verses 22 and 23 in Romans 9:28.
Isaiah 10:24-26
God told his people not to be afraid of Assyria since his anger against them will end soon and he will judge Assyria. They needed to get their eyes off the Assyrian and fear God alone. He compares the situations with His deliverance of them from Egypt and Gideon's victory over the Midianite.
Isaiah 10:27-34
The Assyrian was not to be feared, they were merely being used the by the Lord. They were to fear the Lord only. This promise is that there was a day coming when things will be reversed. God's children would no longer be under the yoke of bondage to the Assyrian. The yoke will be destroyed because of 'fatness', translated anointing oil; meaning that Assyria will waste away while Israel enjoys the 'fatness'; the blessings of inherent riches and strength.
The cities listed are in the order of north to south along the route the Assyrians would take to Jerusalem. It is almost play by play as they approach from the north and make their way toward Jerusalem. As they approach Jerusalem they will threaten her and shake their fist at the daughter of Zion, but God would not allow them to conquer it. God promises to protect His city. Isaiah announces this terror would be trimmed down to size. God would 'lop off' and 'hewn down' this army like an overgrown forest. The haughty would be humbled, the thickets cut down. They would fall at the will of the sovereign God.
©2018 Doug Ford
Facebook