These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
Isaiah 10:5-34
- The Light…
- Because of the DARKNESS that was going to come upon the LAND…
- The ASSYRIAN army that would rush over them like a mighty FLOOD…
- God gave a RAY of hope – a LIGHT that would shine in the DARKEST place – Matthew 4:13-15
- A child would be born – a SON given – to rule over Israel [and the world]
- His name: wonderful – counselor – mighty God – everlasting Father – prince of peace…
- His kingdom will NEVER end – because God will be the one to establish it!
- Woe to Samaria…
- But the arrogant people of the NORTHERN kingdom would not see it…
- God would stir up their enemies on all sides – to CONSUME them…
- Because their LEADERS [head] and PROPHETS [tail] had deceived them…
- So that the WHOLE nation had become full of HYPOCRITES [doing evil but talking about God]
- Therefore – just as their SIN had spread like a FIRE throughout the land…
- So also the WRATH of God would consume them – leaving only the smoke of their destruction…
- WOE to Israel [Samaria] – because God would NOT fight for them!
- 1st – Arrogance of man… vs. 5-11
- 1st – Rod of anger… vs. 5-6
- Woe to Assyria… vs. 5
- Woe to Assyria – the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation!
- The Lord had already given one WOE [הוֹי] to Israel – Isaiah 10:1
- He now moves on to give a second WOE to ASSYRIA …
- Although God used them to judge the people of Israel and Judah…
- They were the ROD of His anger – the STAFF in His hand…
- ROD [שֵׁבֶט] and STAFF [מַטֶּה] – ONE stick with TWO purposes…
- ROD – was the STICK used to CORRECT [punish]
- STAFF – was the STICK used to LEAD [comfort] back to God!
- Psalm 23:4 – “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. For You are with me – Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.”
- Ungodly nation… vs. 6
- I will send him against an ungodly nation and against the people of My wrath.
- I will give him charge to seize the spoil – to take the prey.
- And to tread them down like the mire of the streets!
- God sent [piel] ASSYRIA against a HYPOCRITICAL [חָנֵף] nation [Israel]
- A people who said they followed the Lord – but who ALL [כָּל] did EVIL – Isaiah 9:17
- Therefore – God gave [piel] ASSYRIA the COMMAND to PLUNDER [שָׁלָל] – 2x for emphasis…
- Fulfilling the name of the SON of Isaiah – Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz – Isaiah 8:3
- And they MARCHED over them [tread] like they were the MUD in the streets!
- Recall the History – ISRAEL was conquered by ASSYRIA in 722 B.C. – II Kings 17:6
- The king of Assyria [Shalmaneser] took all of Israel captive to foreign lands [diaspora]
- But the siege of Jerusalem [Sennacherib] did not happen until 701 B.C.
- Dating this WOE from Isaiah somewhere in between those two dates!
- No one LIKES the ROD – it is miserable to be CORRECTED by the LORD…
- But if the PUNISHMENT were PLEASANT – it would not be a DETERRENT to SIN…
- The reason why it works as a tool to TRAIN – is because it is PAINFUL…
- But in the END – it becomes a COMFORT – because we learn to life RIGHTEOUSLY!
- 2nd – Prideful heart… vs. 7-11
- Victory… vs. 7
- Yet he does not mean so – nor does his heart think so.
- But it is in his heart to destroy and cut off not a few nations!
- BUT [וְ] – this is NOT [לֹא] what the king of ASSYRIA was THINKING [piel]
- This could be either king Shalmaneser [Ahaz] or Sennacherib [Hezekiah]
- He could NOT [לֹא] imagine that God was using him to punish a rebellious nation…
- He had it in his HEART [לֹא] to [כֵּן] DESTROY and KILL [כָּרַת] as many nations as he could!
- History has a way of repeating itself – the date changes – but people do NOT…
- At the end of World War I – the Belfour declaration created a homeland for Jews in Israel…
- This was preparation for fulfillment of prophecy – the rebirth of a nation – Ezekiel 37:14
- But most of the Jews in Europe were comfortable – and did NOT want to leave…
- Therefore God allowed a DICTATOR to rise – to uproot His people and send them home!
- Better leaders… vs. 8-9
- For he says: Are not my princes altogether kings?
- Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?
- The king thought his people were BETTER than other nations [racist]
- His PRINCES [שַׂר] – were equal to the KINGS [מְלָכִים] of other nations…
- We are then given a list of CITIES that ASSYRIA conquered moving from NORTH to SOUTH…
- Marking their inevitable and unstoppable move towards Jerusalem…
- They had already defeated the mighty cities Carchemish – Arpad – Damascus…
- How were those that remained [Calno – Hamath – Samaria] any different!
- When Adolph Hitler marched through Europe in the early 1940s…
- His main motivation was the superiority of the Aryan race…
- He led Germany on a rampage through one nation after another [Poland – France – Russia]
- Believing it was destiny for Germany to set up the THOUSAND year Reich – Revelation 20:4
- It led to concentration camps – mass murder – the Holocaust…
- But the Holocaust is what led directly to the REBIRTH of Israel [1948]
- Because the PRIDE of men – does NOT undo the plan of God…
- Instead God uses ALL things to accomplish His will – Romans 8:28
- Better gods… vs. 10-11
- As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols.
- Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria.
- As I have done to Samaria and her idols shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?
- The king assumed since he had already defeated MANY kingdoms…
- NONE of whose IDOLS [false gods] had been able to save them…
- And those CARVED images were BETTER than the ones of Jerusalem and Samaria…
- He had already conquered SAMARIA and her IDOLS [אֱלִיל] – useless gods…
- He would do the same to Jerusalem and her IDOLS [עָצָב] – carved images…
- What the king did NOT realize – Judah did NOT worship idols they had made…
- They worshiped the God who had made EVERYTHING!
- When Hezekiah [son of Ahaz] tore down the idols his father had set up…
- The King of Assyria thought he was rejecting his gods – II Kings 18:22
- It never entered his mind – that Judah was repenting and coming back to the Lord!
- The lesson God is always trying to teach us – is NOT to look to idols…
- Do NOT trust in MONEY – do NOT put our faith in MEN…
- When we reject those things the world does NOT understand [it is all they know]
- But we see the STAFF of the LORD leading us to repent and trust ONLY in Him!
- 1st – Rod of anger… vs. 5-6
- 2nd – Used by God… vs. 12-19
- 1st – Foolish King… vs. 12
- Finished…
- Therefore it shall come to pass.
- When the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem!
- Therefore [sequential] – when [כִּי] God was FINISHED [piel] with Assyria…
- And He had used them to accomplish ALL [כָּל] the work He wanted to do in Jerusalem [Zion]!
- Punished…
- I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria.
- And the glory of his haughty looks!
- God would [imperfect] PUNISH the King – as a RESULT [fruit] of his PRIDEFUL heart [לֵבָב]
- He would be HUMBLED – and find out the HARD way – as Assyria would FALL!
- Keep in mind we are talking about the GREATEST world power of the day…
- It would be like saying once God was done with the US or with China…
- Note – no one stays a world power for long – because God is sovereign over ALL nations!
- Daniel 4:35 – “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. [God] does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.”
- This is why we NEVER worry about world politics…
- Nations will rise – and nations will fall – it is the Lord who stands forever!
- 2nd – The Tool… vs. 13-15
- All about me… vs. 13-14
- For [the king of Assyria] says: By the strength of my hand I have done it.
- And by my wisdom for I am prudent. Also I have removed the boundaries of the people.
- And have robbed their treasuries so I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.
- My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people and as one gathers eggs that are left.
- I have gathered all the earth and there was no one who moved his wing.
- Nor opened his mouth with even a peep!
- The Lord then goes on to tell us what was in the HEART of the King…
- What follows is an outpouring of ARROGANCE saturated with NINE uses of the first person…
- He said [in his heart] – by MY [one] strength have done this [victory]
- Because of MY [two] wisdom – because I [three] have been made [niphal] wise…
- Therefore [hiphil] I [four] have removed the borders of nations…
- And their treasure I [five] have robbed – and I [six] have humbled their mighty men…
- My [seven] hand has found the wealth of the people [like [כֶ] getting eggs from chickens]
- [אֲנִי] I [eight] gathered for myself [nine] – ALL [כָּל] the wealth of the earth…
- And NO [לֹא] one even made a PEEP [like dumb chickens who have lost their eggs]!
- God does NOT just hear what comes out of our MOUTH [words]
- He also KNOWS what we are saying in our HEART [thoughts]
- And the most dangerous word we can say [or think] is I…
- The only thing that will EVER follow the word I – is CANNOT….
- Because when we try and do anything in our own strength – it ends in FAILURE!
- Boasting… vs. 15
- Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it?
- Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself.
- Against those who lift it up Or as if a staff could lift up – as if it were not wood!
- In response to the PRIDE of the King – God asked a series of THREE rhetorical questions…
- Should a TOOL [ax – saw – rod] take pride in the WORK that was done…
- Because if the TOOL were not in the hand of the MASTER – nothing would happen…
- An AX could not chop – a SAW could not cut – a ROD could not strike…
- The point being – they are NOTHING apart from the one who USES them…
- In the same way – the king of Assyria was just a TOOL in the hands of the Lord…
- And the moment the Lord set that TOOL down – HE would be USELESS!
- We would NEVER give credit to a cell phone – for the text we receive…
- Neither would we boast in a pan – for the tasty food we ate…
- They are just the TOOLS we use – the credit goes to the one using the TOOL!
- Everything we have we received is from God – so it is NOT ours to BOAST about…
- Our intellect – our abilities – our family – all were given to us…
- We have NOTHING that we have NOT been given – so ALL credit should go to Him!
- I Corinthians 4:7 – “What do you have that God has not given you? If all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?”
- 3rd – One day… vs. 16-19
- Angel of God… vs. 16-18
- Therefore the Lord – the Lord of hosts – will send leanness among his fat ones.
- And under his glory He will kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
- So the Light of Israel will be for a fire and his Holy One for a flame.
- It will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.
- And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field both soul and body.
- And they will be as when a sick man wastes away!
- Therefore [כֵּן] – the MASTER [אֲדֹנָי] – the LORD of the armies of heaven [צְבָאוֹת]
- Would SEND [piel] a single PLAGUE [רָזוֹן] among the PRIDE [army] of Assyria…
- The LIGHT of Israel will be a FIRE – the HOLY one a flame…
- And that FIRE would BURN the armies of Assyria [thorns] in a single DAY…
- The FIRE would CONSUME the forest [army] – both body [physically] and soul [mentally]
- So that the army that came in PRIDE – would limp away like a SICK man!
- II Kings 19:28 – “Your rage against Me… has come up to My ears.”
- When the armies of Assyria [185 thousand] surrounded Jerusalem…
- Confident that they would EASILY conquer as they had done to every nation before…
- The Lord answered and told them NO – they would NOT enter – II Kings 19:32
- And God sent ONE angel [flame] – who killed their whole army in ONE night!
- Fall of Assyria… vs. 19
- Then the rest of the trees of his forest will be so few in number that a child may write them!
- The number of MEN [trees] that remained in the ARMY [forest]
- Were so FEW – that even a CHILD could count them!
- King Sennacherib left Jerusalem after the loss of his ARMY – he returned to Nineveh…
- This marked the end of Assyrian dominance – and the rise of Babylon…
- He was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch [Nusku?] – the Assyrian god of FIRE…
- When his sons came in and MURDERED him – II Kings 19:37
- Because those who chose to live in PRIDE – are destinated to FALL…
- God will still use their LIVES – they will be a TOOL for His purposes…
- But when PRIDE defines their lives – their END is also certain!
- Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
- 1st – Foolish King… vs. 12
- 3rd – Remnant of Israel… vs. 20-34
- 1st – Depend on God… vs. 20-23
- Hard lesson… vs. 20
- It shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel.
- Such as escaped of the house of Jacob – will never again depend on him who defeated them.
- But will depend on the LORD – the Holy One of Israel – in truth!
- The remnant will return – the remnant of Jacob to the Mighty God!
- There was a COST to REBELLION – trusting in MEN rather than the LORD…
- Most of the NORTHERN kingdom was lost – and much of Judah was also scattered…
- But [sequential] in that DAY – when the armies of Assyria are wiped out…
- The REMNANT of Israel [the people of Judah and Jerusalem]
- As well as any who have escaped from the House of Jacob [Northern Kingdom]
- Those that survived – would never again [לֹא] LEAN [niphal] upon the ASSYRIANS…
- But [sequential] would instead faithfully [אֱמֶת] LEAN [niphal] upon the LORD!
- Ruin… vs. 22-23
- For though your people – O Israel – be as the sand of the sea.
- A remnant of them will return – the destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
- For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a determined end in the midst of all the land!
- Because [כִּי] even though Israel used to number as the sand of the sea [uncountable]
- Only a REMNANT [שְׁאָר] would return to the land…
- For in their DESTRUCTION – God brought about RIGHTEOUSNESS [צְדָקָה]
- Therefore [כִּי] – the MASTER [אֲדֹנָי] – the LORD of the armies of Heaven [צְבָאוֹת]
- DESOLATED [niphal] the whole [כָּל] land – both Israel and Judah!
- When hard times come – our first reaction is rarely to look to the Lord…
- Therefore God will allow DEVASTATION – our lives will crumble into ruins…
- So that we would learn NOT to trust in ourselves – but instead trust in God!
- II Corinthians 1:9 – “We had the sentence of death in ourselves – that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.”
- 2nd – Do not fear… vs. 24-27
- The choice… vs. 24-25
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD of hosts:
- O My people who dwell in Zion Do not be afraid of the Assyrian!
- YES [כֵּן]- the MASTER [אֲדֹנָי] – the LORD of the armies of Heaven [צְבָאוֹת] says…
- Those in Zion [Jerusalem] – do NOT let [jussive] yourselves be AFRAID of Assyria…
- A common exhortation that appears over FIFTY times in the Old Testament…
- Making one of the most frequently repeated jussives in the Bible!
- Because fear is NOT a response – it is a choice – we chose based on what we are looking at…
- If we are looking at our circumstances – then we choose to be AFRAID…
- If we look to the Lord – then we by FAITH have nothing to FEAR!
- Short time… vs. 24-26
- He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you – in the manner of Egypt.
- Yet a very little while and the indignation will cease – as will My anger in their destruction.
- The LORD of hosts will stir up a scourge for him like the slaughter of Midian.
- At the rock of Oreb – as His rod was on the sea – so will He lift it up in the manner of Egypt!
- Assyria would STRIKE Israel with a ROD – raise up his STAFF…
- But there was NO reason to be AFRAID – because [כִּי]
- In a very short time – the ANGER of God towards Israel would STOP…
- And His ANGER towards Assyria would begin!
- Just as God wiped out the armies of Midianites at the rock of Oreb [Gideon] – Judges 7:25
- And just as God wiped out the Egyptians at the Red Sea [Moses] – Exodus 14:28
- In the same way there would be NOTHING left of the armies of Assyria!
- Trials are NOT an option – that have always happened [Moses – Gideon – Hezekiah]
- Because each NEW generation has to learn the name OLD lesson…
- Yet those TRIALS do NOT last for very long [if we are willing to learn]!
- The yoke… vs. 27
- It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder.
- And his yoke from your neck – the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil!
- And [sequential] in that DAY – when the armies of Assyria are wiped out…
- The BURDEN on your shoulders – the YOKE upon your neck…
- Will be BROKEN – as you see the BLESSINGS [fat] that comes from the Lord!
- Here is the perspective – the BURDEN compared to the BLESSING…
- The hardships we face do NOT compare with the glory that is coming…
- No matter what TRIAL we are facing – or what TROUBLE we have now…
- It will NOT last – but the reward of heaven will NEVER fade away!
- II Corinthians 4:18 – “Do not look at the things which are seen… for the things which are seen are temporary – but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
- 3rd – Last minute… vs. 28-34
- To the neck… vs. 28-32
- He has come to Aiath. He has passed Migron. At Michmash he has attended to his equipment.
- They have gone along the ridge. They have taken up lodging at Geba.
- Ramah is afraid. Gibeah of Saul has fled. Lift up your voice O daughter of Gallim!
- Cause it to be heard as far as Laish – O poor Anathoth!
- Madmenah has fled. The inhabitants of Gebim seek refuge.
- As yet he will remain at Nob that day.
- He will shake his fist at the mount of the daughter of Zion – the hill of Jerusalem!
- Although there was a PROMISE that ZION did NOT need to fear…
- That did NOT mean that things were going to be easy…
- What follows is a detailed description of the path of Assyria…
- Specifically as they marched the final 15 kilometers…
- Starting with the city of Aiath – moving south until they reached Nob…
- A ridge overlooking Jerusalem – where the King shook his fist at Mount Zion [Jerusalem]!
- Humility… vs. 33-34
- Behold the Lord – the LORD of hosts – will lop off the bough with terror.
- Those of high stature will be hewn down and the haughty will be humbled.
- He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One!
- BEHOLD [הִנֵּה] – the MASTER [אֲדֹנָי] – the LORD of the armies of Heaven [צְבָאוֹת]
- Will CHOP off [piel] the branches – the HIGH will be brought LOW [humbled]
- The FOREST [Assyrian army] – mighty like the trees of Lebanon…
- Would be CUT [piel] down and fall – because of the MIGHTY one…
- And from the ruins of Judah would rise a new branch – a ROD of Jesse – Isaiah 11:1
- God is rarely early – His timing is NOT our – Isaiah 55:8
- And although we get NERVOUS – as we see the ENEMY approaching…
- They are shaking their FIST – boasting about how we will FALL…
- We know the God who says we have NOTHING to FEAR…
- And all we have to do is BEHOLD – look to Him – and we will have VICTORY!
- 1st – Depend on God… vs. 20-23