Contributor: Ngozi Roberts

INTRODUCTION
In our last week’s study we saw the love of God exhibited in an interesting way in spite of the sins of the Israelites. His promise of the great light that was later seen in the new testaments as Jesus Christ. This light was to give them a way out of darkness. He was to be characterised as Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father. Emphasis was placed on the fact that those who refused to repent will surely bear the consequences which is also applicable to us all today. It was reiterated that the punishment that followed the disobedience of the Israelites was indeed started, fanned and fuelled by the sinners themselves and this is also the applicable to us today. We are therefore to continue to keep ourselves clean and pure as we await the glorious future.
Today we are continuing with the prophecy of Judgment on the Israelites who having heard the word of God through His prophets and were still not listening. This chapter 10 has been sectionalised into 3 parts. The first part being the judgement of the oppressors (Isaiah 10:1-4) and second section being the destruction of Israel by King of Assyria – Sennacherib and prophecy of his destruction due to pride. Third section is on the encouragement to the people of Israel.

SECTION 1: JUDGEMENT OF OPPRESSORS/EVIL LEGISLATORS JUDGED (VERSES 1-4)
The prophet continued with his prophecy of punishment that was to follow as a result of God’s anger on the proud legislators that oppressed His people. These people abused their power and perverted justice. Isa 10:1–4 connects to the similar “Woe” sayings in 5:8–30; those sayings also condemned the leaders of Judah for disregarding their responsibility to deal fairly with the poor and weak.
Let’s take a closer look at how these rulers managed to do this.

They made unrighteous laws (vs 1) note that even though they had righteous commandments /laws yet they had corrupt judges that were able to find a way of making unrighteous decrees that is contrary to the good laws God already made.

They deprived the poor (v2) – by perverting justice in the way they interpret and carry out the laws, thereby turning aside the poor from judgement so that they do not get what is due to them. It was so bad that they enriched themselves through evil means like bribery and made the poor ones like the widows, fatherless to be at their mercy! See Isa 5:23. Refers to the injustice of the rich and powerful exploiting the poor and weak.

They are interrogated (Vs 3) - The prophet then challenged them on what will become of them with their power and pride when the real judgment of God comes upon them.

Sentence passed on them (Vs 4) – The prophet went to confirm their judgement and the kind of sentence that befalls them. They will be doomed, imprisoned or sent to captivity! Showing that Gods anger is still very hot on them. The same phrase occurs in 5:25.

Lesson For Us
For us as believers this goes to reiterate what we were discussed in our previous chapter that those that do not live in accordance to Gods will surely be destroyed. When we put God out of our daily living, we are bound to be heading for destruction as we will be out of his protection.

Destruction of Israel by King of Assyria

• Commission to King of Assyria – Verse 5-6

Verse 5 Assyria, the rod of my anger. Yahweh used Assyria to punish Israel. Victory in the ancient world was often attributed to the superiority of one’s god. Yahweh is thus presented as truly superior—He, not Assyria’s god, is behind their success. The foreign nations are simply tools in the hands of God

Isaiah does not explicitly identify the king of Assyria in this passage, though 2 Kgs 17–18 identifies the king who attacked Israel as Sennacherib. The omission is likely intentional, as the prophet wants this oracle against Assyria to apply equally to all of Assyria’s kings. The cities listed in Isa 10:9–11 seem to reflect the conquests of several Assyrian kings who were active during Isaiah’s ministry.

Verse 6 - A godless nation. Israel is considered godless since it had turned away from Yahweh. See 9:17. the clay of the streets Assyria will trample everything in its path like dirt on the roads, leaving behind a muddy mess.
So we see here that the Assyrians were called the rod of God’s anger! Why? because God employed them. God emphasised how he sent the Assyrians. Making us realise the power they had was derived from God.

Lesson For Us
It is worthy of note also that sometimes disobedient children of God can be undergoing some rough times simply because God allowed it having gone out of the protection of God. We as children of God should ensure that we are under Gods protection at all times by living a life of obedience to His will.

• The Assyrian Kings Pride - Verse 7-14

Assyria’s arrogance is revealed in this self-confident speech. The king of Assyria believes his military victories represent spiritual victories over the idols of the cities he has conquered. He also elevates himself to demigod status, boasting in his own strength, wisdom, and understanding.

Verse 8 Are not my commanders altogether kings ..The Assyrian Empire turned conquered kings into subject vassals, so the king of Assyria could rightly boast that his subject commanders were kings in their own right.

Verse 9 Are not Samaria like Damascus … The king boasts over the cities he has conquered. Each pair moves geographically closer to Israel.

Verse 10 Outlines images …Assyria has already conquered stronger city-states than Israel and Judah. The boast is asserted in a religious sense—the cities with the most powerful gods already fell. See 37:12–13.

Verse 12 All his work refers to the predicted judgment. Mount Zion Yahweh’s holy mountain, the location of the temple. Symbolically, Zion often refers to the city of Jerusalem. Here they are mentioned separately.

I will punish… Assyria will also be judged for pride and arrogance once Israel’s punishment is complete. .

Verse 13 ….by the strength of my hand ….The king of Assyria believes his victory is the result of his own strength and cunning. Psalm 9: 20 Strike them with terror, LORD; let the nations know they are only mortal.
So In carrying out the assignment from God, Sennacherib did not wase time to exhibit his wickedness. Showing his pride and insolence. Magnifying himself and even showcasing his ignorance that he was in control as a fact. Unknown to him these were the very characteristics
that God abhor and God was to deal with him in the later verses. He actually demonstrated himself as a real punisher just like God intended as we saw in 2 kings 18.
So the prophecy continues to show case his pride and arrogance in his letter to Israel in vainglory. He boasts of his prowess over other nations, making of other kings and how he made them subjects to himself thereby making himself their master and even went as far as laying siege over – this actually came to pass in 2Kings 18:13-16 even after Hezekiah had given gifts to the Sennacherib, yet he did not let go of the Israelites.
We also see how King Sennacherib enriched himself through the peace making gifts that we later got to know were from Hezekiah just as he had always done to other nations as was prophesied by Isaiah(vs 14)

Lesson For Us
God sometimes makes use of men as instruments in His hands to do His work. Though in most cases those being used do not realise this. As children of God, we should strive to always make ourselves ready to be used as vessels of honour instead of dishonour.

SECTION 2 : JUGEMENT ON ASSYRIA – SENNACHERIB (VERSES 12-19)

Isaiah have outlined in his prophesy the use of the king of Assyria by God and went on to prophesy how God was going to deal with him. He would have served the purpose for which he was raised by God. So now we are going to see how God in his Justice reproves his pride and prophesies his fate. God by His servant Isaiah shows that God is above him.

Verse 15 The axe boast against the one who cuts. God used Assyria to bring judgment on rebellious Israel and Judah, but the Assyrians are still accountable for their actions and their arrogance. A tool is useless on its own. Assyria is judged for not recognizing that it is only a tool in the hand of God.

Verse 16 will send leanness See 37:36.

Verse 17 in one day See 9:14. The Assyrian king Sennacherib abruptly leaves his siege of Jerusalem. See 37:37 and 2 Kings 19:15-21. So due to his evil doings the prophet prophesies his down fall and destruction – it’s important to note that when God has finished doing his work of salvation on his people as we shall see in the chapter 37:37 and 2 Kings 19:15-37. Hezekiah and the children of Israel eventually repented.

Verse 20 the remnant of Israel Contrasts with the imagery in v. 19, which depicts the destruction of Assyria until only a remnant of forest remains, the survivors of the house of Jacob See 1:9 and 4:2.

Verse 21 A remnant will return referring to a spiritual, not necessarily physical, return. The phrase “a remnant will return” is also the name of Isaiah’s first son, Shear-Jashub. See 7:3 and 8:18.

Verse 22 like the sand of the sea …The Apostle Paul quotes this verse in Rom 9:27–28. overflowing with righteousness See Isa 28:22. God’s judgment is righteous and necessary.

Isaiah had foretold that the Lord himself will perform his work on mount Zion which we saw done by Sennacherib invading the land. Vs 20-23 elaborates how Gods promise of grace to His people and their suffering under affliction. The suffering indeed yielded some fruit as the remaining children of God eventually returned and repented as we shall see later in Chapter 37:14-37 Then the second part of the Vs 12. We see the punishment of King Assyria for his pride being elaborated which later came to pass in 37:38.

SECTION 3: GOD’S CHILDREN ENCOURAGED (VERSES 24 - 34)

The prophet now comforts the sincere ones. He encourages them not be afraid. He gives them hope promising them that all will eventually end well.

Verses 24 - 34

Verse 24 Assyria -This group of people came from central Mesopotamia on the Tigris River. They were the dominant power in the ancient Near East during the eighth and seventh centuries BC.

Verse 26 - Assyrians will be dealt with just as when Midian was defeated. The coming deliverance is compared to God’s victory over Midian in Judges 7:19–25. Also just as he did in Egypt. Referring to the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:15–31.

Verses 28–32 The path of the Assyrian invaders is laid out from the northeast part of Judah to the vicinity of Jerusalem. The place names are mentioned in order, drawing geographically closer and closer to the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem.

Verse 32 he will shake his fist at the mountain of Assyria gets close enough to threaten Jerusalem, but does not conquer her. Zion Refers to Jerusalem. Isa 1:8.

Verse 33 is about to lop off the branches with great power. Assyria was metaphorically depicted as a tool in the hand of God.

Verse 34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One. That metaphor is turned about as a cut down to size.

Isaiah in these last verses prophesied to confirm that all suffering will end soon. These words were intended to encourage the children of Israel. Letting them know that for sure their enemy will be destroyed in the end. That the storm will soon be over. The enemy that has been threatening them will soon come to his doom. Assurance that they will all be delivered from the power of the Assyrians.

Continues to reassure the children of Israel that the more daring the enemy was the more God will be exalted in all his strength. He flies to the defence of his Children in Zion. The power of the enemy will eventually be broken. In all these we should always remember that God does not leave the wicked unpunished.

Lesson For Us

This is an assurance that no matter the challenge that is threatening us , we should not be afraid as God will surely come through for us.

CONCLUSION/SUMMARY

Isaiah predicted that because of the evilness of Judah and Israel, the Assyrians would attack both nations. The Lord would no longer protect and help them. The Assyrian invasion would fulfil the Lord’s purposes in turning Judah to repentance and scattering the nation of Israel. From this chapter we have come to realise that our God is a sovereign God who has the power to make and to kill. Just s Proverbs 21:1 says - In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. He did just that with the heart of Assyria King. We are made to understand that walking in disobedience to Gods word can endanger us into the camp of the enemy. It is better to be on the right side of God at all times so that we will not be exposed to evil as we may not even come out of it. God is also a merciful God that forgives once we come to repentance. No matter how far gone or how long it may take. He is always waiting to take us back. We also need to understand that there is nothing too difficult for our God as he is a God of impossibility.