Prophecies against Israel: Isaiah 7-12 (4)

Pray Psalm 75.1.
We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

Read Isaiah 10.

Reflect.
1. Why was God upset with Assyria? Weren’t the Assyrians only doing His will?

2. False teaching is a deadly trap for God’s people. How can you see that from verses 1-4 (cf. Is. 9.16)?

Meditate.
Verses 1-4 of chapter 10 carry over from chapter 9, telling us of God’s anger against the leaders of Israel, who had led the nation astray by false teaching (Is. 9.16). We get a glimpse at the nature of this false teaching: the promulgation of laws not in line with God’s Law (v. 1); failure to seek justice for all members of the nation (v. 2); misappropriation of the assets of others (v. 2). The leaders of Israel (the northern kingdom) did all this, all the while claiming that they were within the bounds of truth to do so.

They were not. And God promised He would bring them to judgment for failing to proclaim and obey His Law, and for going beyond it by their own devices (vv. 3, 4).

The Assyrians would be the rod of God’s chastisement, bringing both Samaria and Syria to captivity (vv.8-11). So far, so good. This is why God brought Sennacherib and his kingdom to power, to exercise judgment on those who rebelled against Him.

Sennacherib, however, exceeded his remit, turning his greedy and violent eyes toward Judah and Jerusalem (v. 11). But God would not allow it (v. 12). God despises arrogance, especially when men vaunt themselves above Him, failing to recognize His grace and gifts, and aspiring to be god instead of Him (vv. 13-15). God, the Light and Holy One of Israel, will bring the Assyrians down, like a burned field (v. 17), a wasted crop (v. 18), and a cleared forest (vv. 18, 19). When that happens, the faithful remnant taken away from Samaria and the northern kingdom will find their way to safety in Judah (vv. 20-23; cf. 2 Chron. 28.9ff), fleeing to the mountain of the Lord’s house, a kind of foreshadowing of what Isaiah had prophesied for the last days in Isaiah 2.1-4.

God hates arrogance. Good to keep that in mind.

All this is for Judah and Jerusalem’s sake. God calls on them not to fear the Assyrians (v. 24). Though Sennacherib will wreak havoc throughout the southern kingdom, God will stop him dead in his tracks (literally) at the gates of Jerusalem (vv. 25-32). God will cut down the haughty ones who do not rest in His Word and will (vv. 33, 34). Jerusalem, are you listening?

And what about us?

Prepare.
1. Why is arrogance such a terrible sin in the eyes of God?

2. What does God’s using Assyria suggest about His sovereignty over all nations? Is this still true today? How should this encourage or instruct us?

3. God never leaves Himself without a remnant. What are the characteristics of a remnant? If God were leaving Himself a remnant to escape His wrath today, would you be part of it? Explain. 

All sins must be avoided, to be sure, because all sins are contrary to God, but they vary in degree. The proud, for example, are God’s enemies. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The devil is the prince of the proud. “Lest he be puffed up with pride,” says holy Scripture, “and incur the condemnation passed on the devil,” for everyone who glorifies himself in his heart is partner to the devil, who used to say, “By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd. I have moved the boundaries of peoples.” … All other failings deserve the mercy of the Lord because, in humility, they are submitted to the tribunal of God; pride alone, because it honors itself beyond its power, resists God. Jerome (347-420 AD), Homilies on the Psalms, Alternate Series, Psalm 93

Keep me from all pride and arrogance, O Lord, and let me instead…

Pray Psalm 75.
Let the Lord search your heart, to root out and eradicate any haughtiness or sinful pride. Pray that He will exalt you in loving service today, so that He may be exalted in you.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 75 (Galilee: Jesus Calls Us)
We give thanks, Lord, we give thanks for Your all-glorious Name is near!
Men Your wondrous works declare, Lord; let all living creatures hear!

When you choose the time of judgment, You will judge with equity.
Then the earth and all within it by Your hand no more shall be.

Warn the boastful, warn the wicked: “Do not boast or raise your horn!
Do not raise your boastful voices; do not speak with pride and scorn!”

Neither east nor west nor desert shall exalting bring to man.
God is Judge, He puts one down and makes another one to stand.

For the cup of judgment foams in Jesus’ sovereign, holy hand.
He has mixed it and will pour it out on every wicked man.

As for me, I will declare it: Evermore to God be praise! 
He abases all the wicked, but His righteous ones He saves!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).