READ: Is. 10:20-34
And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have 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. – Is. 10:20-21
Assyria has been a scourge in the hand of the LORD to discipline His people due to their unbelief and impenitence. However, Assyria has become arrogant. It no longer wishes to be a mere instrument of God; instead, it rises up in its own pride against Him. It does not consider itself dependent on Him but seeks to destroy God’s people (v.12).
This has led to God promising to turn against Assyria on behalf of Judah (vv.24-27, see also Deut. 32:26-38). In this way, a remnant of His people will be saved (vv.20-22, 6:13, 7:3). They will no longer be dependent on Assyria, as Ahaz was (Is. 7; 2 Kings 16).
Let the remnant of Judah rely on the LORD, for He is mighty (v.21)! However, the majority will perish (v.23). The LORD comforts His people by assuring that a remnant will indeed stand firm through His punitive intervention against Assyria (vv.24-27). This ultimately finds its fulfillment in the return from the Babylonian exile, which is connected to the enmity with Assyria.
Yet, even as Israel receives comfort from the LORD for the future, they must not slacken in their trust in Him! To teach them this, the LORD allows the Assyrians to conduct a swift invasion, bringing them right up to the gates of Jerusalem.
Verses 28-32 vividly describe this as a kind of blitzkrieg. Isaiah points out the panic among the fearful people. However, it is God who ultimately provides deliverance. Thus, the LORD compels His people to remain focused on Him without wandering away. This too is an expression of His Fatherly love (Hebrews 12:5).
How do you perceive God’s chastening in your life?
Singing: Ps. 85:1,2