March 10 - I'd hate to be Assyrian

March 10 - I'd hate to be Assyrian - Isaiah 10:1-34

Actually, I'd hate to be anyone who decides to move against the Lord God Almighty. As I read through this book, I see Isaiah pleading with the people around him to pay attention to the decrees of the Lord and they not only refuse, but find all sorts of ways to be disobedient. Max often comments that there is no limit to the perversion of mankind. He's right! Look what we have going on here and this is among God's people!

Unjust and oppressive laws coming from lawmakers. These rob oppressed people of justice and prey on widows and orphans. There was no one to stand up to this. No one but Isaiah and several other prophets who were willing to stand before these criminals and tell them that the Lord would make them pay for their activities (Isaiah 10:1-4).

God was more than willing to use Assyria. They are the rod of His anger and the club of His wrath. God said that Israel was a godless nation and the people angered him. (Isaiah 10:5-6)

If Assyria simply intended to act as the bringer of God's wrath that would have been enough, but no, they intended to do far more than that and God would punish them. The Assyrians wanted to come into Jerusalem and destroy it as they had Samaria (the capital of Israel). (Isaiah 10:7-11)

Because the king of Assyria was prideful and refused to acknowledge the power of the Lord God, there would be punishment. Who of us has not taken pride in the things that we do? In the deepest, darkest corners of our minds, do we believe that we alone are responsible for things because of our strength and our wisdom? The king of Assyria saw the ease with which he plundered nations - as easy as gathering eggs. (Isaiah 10:12-14)

God promised punishment and it would come (Isaiah 10:15-19).

The remnant.

Isaiah 10:20 begins to talk about the remnant of Israel (the northern Kingdom). Even though they were broken by the Assyrians and exiled throughout the region, there would be some who would remember and would return to the Mighty One. (Isaiah 10:20-23)

For those who live in Zion - the Southern Kingdom - Judah, the Lord would soon remove His anger from them and go after Assyria. He had already told Judah that He was on their side. Even though they pass near Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:32) they will not be able to destroy it. They will be destroyed instead. (Isaiah 10:24-34)

Warnings ... Destruction ... Hope. How far would they push God? How far will we push Him?