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 (Isa.10:7). The prophet exposed the arrogant attitude of Assyria towards Jerusalem and Samaria (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 (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 (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).