Isaiah 10:1-19
Q.1. What further sins by Israel made judgment inevitable? What threat did Assyria make against Jerusalem? Why will God judge Assyria? – (Isa.10:1-11)
God continued His denunciation of Israel – … In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away, and His hand is still stretched out (Isa.10:4 c.f. Isa.9:12,17,21). His anger and indignation were justified because the nation continued disgracefully – to deprive the needy of justice and the poor of My people of their rights, so that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the orphans (Isa.10:2). Though Assyria was God’s instrument to bring His chastening, yet God would also judge her for purposing to utterly destroy the nations and His people (see Isa.10:7). The prophet exposed the arrogant attitude of Assyria towards Jerusalem and Samaria (see Isa.10:8-11).
Q.2. What was God’s purpose for the calamity against Jerusalem? What attitude of the Assyrians would bring its downfall? How would God respond? – (Isa.10:12-19)
God declared that His chastisement and correction of Israel will come to an end – So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem … (Isa.10:12). Then He will punish the arrogance of the king of Assyria (see Isa.10:12). This was because of the king’s idle boast – … By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, for I have understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples and plundered their treasures, and like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants (Isa.10:13). God mocked such stupidity, by likening the nation to an axe boasting of its power (see Isa.10:15). God would destroy all the glory of the Assyrian kingdom – 16 … under his glory a fire will be kindled like a burning flame. 17 And the light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briars in a single day (Isa.10:16-17).