Is. 9:1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
The word “nevertheless” is not in the original, but is a proper connector to the preceding thoughts. This verse is continuing the thoughts from the last chapter. (Chapter and verse separations were inserted by men at a later time to help locate passages more readily.) This seems to be saying that the people who were first captured by Assyria (the land of Zebulun and Naphtali that were part of the Galilee) must have considered their situation totally hopeless.
Is. 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Is. 9:3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
The prophet seems to be saying that those who would first experience the hopelessness and despair of God’s judgment will at some time in the future “see a great light.” Matthew 4:15-16 quotes this portion of Isaiah and indicates that Jesus would be that light. Jesus’ ministry was greatly focused in the area of the Galilee, the land where they were feeling despair as a nation at the time of Isaiah’s prophecy. I think Isaiah is saying that although the number of Israelites will multiply and seem to be prospering, they will not experience true joy, exceeding gladness and pleasure. They will rejoice in accordance with their circumstances—was the harvest good? Were the spoils of war great?
The Believer’s Bible Commentary, by MacDonald, made the statement that when Jesus came the first time, He was the light to His people; when He comes the second time, He will bring joy to His people.
Is. 9:4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
Isaiah is letting the people of Judah know that they will again break the yoke of oppression just as they did of old. The time being referenced is related in Judges 6. The Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. Finally, they called out to the Lord for help; and He delivered them miraculously through the leadership of Gideon and 300 chosen men in such a way as to ensure that they knew it was God who had delivered them.
It jumped out to me as I was reading through this account in Judges again, that the reference was to deliverance after 7 years of oppression. I can’t help but make the connection to a similar time in the future after the 7-year tribulation.
Is. 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
This seems to be saying that the ultimate deliverance of Israel from its enemies will involve fire instead of the type of warfare they were used to, that of hand-to -hand combat and its associated chaos, noise and great bloodshed. This would seem to be a reference to Armageddon. The Hebrew for burning references cremation, which certainly connects with atomic warfare.
Is. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Is. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah begins to speak of the deliverer to come—Jesus, the Son of God, Who will come to rescue Israel once for all at Armageddon. He will be born as a child, a human, a male. The Son is a gift from God the Father.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
As I was reading a book by Ravi Zacharias, The Lamb and the Fuhrer, I came across a statement that applied here that took me to another level of understanding.
“The child is born…the Son is given. Do you see the difference? The Son was not born. I am the Son and I eternally existed in relationship with My Father.”
Jesus came to earth in the form of a child, a human. Why? What did that involve?
Hebrews 2:6-10 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Verses 6 and 7 in the Hebrews passage establish men as a creation “a little lower than the angels” in the hierarchy of creation. Then verse 9 tells us that Jesus “was made a little lower than the angels.” This means that Jesus, the Son of God, willingly became a man to “taste death for every man” and bring “many sons to glory.”
Hebrews 2:16-18 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
These verses tell me that Jesus was made “like unto His brethren.” “In all things” I think means that He came to earth the perfect man in the same way that Adam was first created. He chose to lay aside His Divine power and authority and live according to the leading and empowering of the Spirit. (See comments in Journal for Philippians 2:7.) I believe this ability to live according to the leading and empowering of the Spirit is the same status we now enjoy as believers today. Only by living a sinless life as a man could He qualify as the acceptable sacrifice for man’s redemption that was necessitated by the fall into sin of the first Adam. That is why Jesus is identified as the “last Adam” in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
1Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
I found a quote from David Guzik’s commentary that struck me: “That Jesus is both God and man tells us that man really is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and that perfect humanity is more compatible with deity than we imagine. It says that our problem is not our humanity, but our fallenness. To say ‘I’m only human’ is wrong, because Jesus was fully human yet perfect. It is more accurate to say, ‘I’m only fallen.’ But remember that the humanity that Jesus added to His Divine nature was not the sinful humanity we commonly know, but the perfect humanity of Adam and Eve before the fall.”
“The government shall be upon His shoulder” – This is speaking of the time that Jesus will rule on earth as King as the Son of David.
His character will cause us to identify Him by many names:
“Wonderful” – marvelous, a miracle, perform. First of all, this seems to reference His birth. His birth was a miracle; He was born of a virgin. It could also have reference to His ministry on earth—a doer of miraculous, marvelous things.
“Counsellor” – to advise, to guide. He is already serving in that capacity through the scripture and the Holy Spirit. When He rules in the millennium, scripture declares that His advice will be eagerly sought by the masses compared to the small percentage comprising the church that seek Him now.
“the mighty God” – These words are descriptive of His power, and the fact that it is the power of God, the greatest power. Although the article “the” is not in the original, I think it is clearly understood. There is only one God, and Jesus is that God.
“the everlasting Father” – The Father who will never die, Who encompasses eternity. This is yet another title that declares the unity of Father and Son.
“The Prince of Peace” – prince = captain, keeper, lord, master, ruler.
Peace = safe, well, health, prosperity, rest. He is the one who can ensure our safety, health, wealth, and contentment—both physically and spiritually. During His reign on earth, the world will experience a time of peace such as it has never yet come close to knowing.
Once Jesus assumes His throne on planet earth in His kingdom, His time of government will never end. There will be no elections, no alternatives. Although many will rebel and join Satan at the end of the first 1,000 years of His reign (the millennium), those in rebellion will be immediately defeated, and never again will an enemy of Jesus be allowed in His kingdom.
Revelation 20:7–10 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
What are the characteristics of His kingdom? It will be ordered (stable, prosperous, perfect). It will be established according to God’s law and will reflect morality, virtue and prosperity according to His law. Its foundation and constitution are such that never will sin be allowed a foothold within its confines. It will continue for eternity, time without end. How will this be accomplished? By God’s zeal, His jealousy, His envy. God will not share His authority with another. He was very clear about this early in the history of the nation of Israel.
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Is. 9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Again, the words of Isaiah change from encouragement to warning of judgment to come—specifically directed at Israel, the northern kingdom.
Is. 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
Is. 9:10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
Ephraim is another reference to Israel, the northern kingdom, as the dominant tribe, and Samaria was the capital of Israel. The people will recognize this judgment as from the Lord, but they evidently think it is not going to last very long—after all they are God’s chosen people. In their pride and arrogance they will plan to rebuild their kingdom so as to be better and stronger than ever. What had been built of bricks would be replaced with buildings of hewn stone; where there had been an abundance of sycomores, they would replace with fields of cedars.
Satan is so successful in deceiving us and blinding us to the truth staring us in the face. Once we choose listen to his lies and deceptions the first time, it becomes easier to deceive us the second time and on and on. Because of our pride and arrogance it isn’t long before Satan doesn’t even have to enter the picture; he can just sit back on the sidelines and watch us destroy ourselves by thinking we don’t need God.
I can’t leave this section without making reference to the amazing teaching of Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. In His book The Harbinger, he crafted a fictional story to illustrate how events associated with the attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, mirror this prophecy and should serve as a warning to our nation regarding coming judgment. I must say that I am astonished at the reaction of many in the Christian community that are intent on attacking the messenger rather than acknowledging the serious implications of his message. As did the prophets of old, he is declaring a message of the need for repentance and turning to God in faith and obedience in light of coming judgment. The message is consistent in every way with the truth declared in scripture. I highly recommend this book.
Is. 9:11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
Is. 9:12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
As Isaiah begins to warn of the defeat of Israel, the point is made that it is the Lord who will “set up” (make strong, exalt) their enemies.
The enemies of Rezin are going to join forces against Israel. We learned in chapter 7 that Rezin, the king of Syria, was an ally of the king of Israel. Assyria attacked Damascus and killed Rezin. Assyria then became an enemy of Israel and would join forces with the Philistines to destroy Israel; like hungry lions devouring their prey. (This makes me think of the current connection of Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and the Palestinians.)
The last phrase of verse 12 is repeated several times in upcoming scripture. The solemn warning it carries is that this will only be part of the judgment God is going to inflict on His people; there will be more to come.
Calvin makes this comment: “When there is no repentance, it is unreasonable to expect that God will yield to obstinate men, as if he were vanquished; and the consequence is, that he prepares himself for inflicting severer punishment…. This rebuke applies not to the Israelites only but to us also. Already hath the Lord chastised the whole world by various afflictions, so that hardly any part could be exempted from distresses and calamities. And yet all appear to have obstinately conspired against God, so that, whatever He does, they cease not to retain their former character, and to carry on their wicked courses. Justly, therefore, might the Lord address to us the same expostulation, and assuredly he addresses us by the mouth of Isaiah; and we ought not to look for another Prophet to threaten new chastisements, seeing that our case is not different from that of the Israelites, and we are involved in the same blame with them.”
Calvin lived in the 1500’s; how much more valid is the application today.
Is. 9:13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
The sad thing is that the people will incur further judgment because they refuse to turn to the Lord in repentance for deliverance from His wrath. Do not loving parents employ the same logic? Would they let continued disobedience go unpunished?
Is. 9:14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
Is. 9:15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
Is. 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Isaiah now speaks of more severe judgment to come. He first speaks of the fate of those who are responsible for the spiritual leadership of the nation—1)those who were older and held positions of honor and leadership and 2) the prophets who should have been sharing the message of God but were speaking lies—the head and tail respectively. The word for “err” implies that the people were seduced by their leaders.
That is such an applicable truth concerning our world today, not just America. People in leadership have a powerful influence on a majority of the people they lead. Those to whom we should be able to look with respect for leadership are leading us astray. The prophets would equate to those in spiritual leadership today. False religion is still dominant in our world as a whole, and their leaders command great respect. Sad to say, in the “Christian” world, many who claim to be church leaders are going against the truth of scripture—saying that the Bible just contains God’s words but you can’t believe it all—and blatantly repudiating God’s word (e.g., accepting homosexuality and abortion).
Is. 9:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Although God holds those who should have been leading and directing the people responsible, He does not ignore the responsibility of the individual—no matter their station in life. Everyone, from the young men to the fatherless and widows, has been found to be hypocrites (soiled/defiled by sin) and evildoers (good for nothing, wicked). Their hearts are reflected by their words.
Matthew 12:34 …for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Again, the sad statement that there is more judgment to come.
Is. 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
Isaiah compares the spread of evil to a burning fire. As the flame burns the kindling, it gathers more strength and spreads more quickly until there is a major forest fire sending up clouds of smoke into the heavens. This reminds me of a verse in Galatians.
Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Is. 9:19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
Is. 9:20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
Is. 9:21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
The Lord is the One bringing this time of darkness and judgment on the land, but it is really the people that are responsible for their own destruction. Because of the hard times, the selfishness of men will cause them to turn on each other. One tribe will attack another in an attempt to meet their physical needs. Yet, not one word is uttered in repentance before the Lord. Because of their lack of repentance, there will be yet more judgment to come.
“they shall eat…his own arm” – The arm represents strength and power. Sin destroys. The people are destroying themselves through their sin.
Is. 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
Is. 10:2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
“Woe” speaks of judgment yet to come. The leaders of Israel are not leading in righteousness; they were using their position to profit off those they should have been helping. They were making laws intended for evil and not for the good of the people. They were taking advantage of the weak, the poor and needy, those without a champion, those without means of influence.
Is. 10:3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
“day of visitation” – This is a phrase that references judgment and punishment.
Jeremiah 50:27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.
Hosea 9:7 The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
God, through Isaiah, continues to speak of sure judgment to come and questions His people—How are you going to respond to this time of judgment and destruction when it comes by the hand of those who seem so distant to you now (Assyria)? To whom are you going to turn for help? To whom are you going to give your riches? (“glory” – a reference to wealth, riches; Psalm 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.)
Is. 10:4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
The word “under” is not in the Hebrew. I like the NIV translation of “among.” The point being that when they are taken captive, they will be cast down, smitten, subdued harshly—some to the point of death.
Again, the sad refrain—there is yet more judgment to come.
Is. 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
Is. 10:6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
“O Assyrian” – This would appear to be referring to the king of Assyria who will be responsible for the attack and destruction in Israel. Point is made that this king will be a “rod” (a stick used in punishment and ruling) in God’s hands and will be used against Israel because of God’s anger toward them. Not all anger is bad; we would call it righteous indignation. The word for “indignation” indicates that they are being judged because of God’s fury and displeasure at their sin. This thought is verified in the first phrase of verse 6. God is sending the Assyrian against a nation soiled with sin, “hypocritical.” His victory will be complete; he will be allowed to rob Israel and to ruthlessly and abusively subdue the people.
I have heard it taught that the “Assyrian” is a type of the antichrist to come. Both (the king of Assyria and the Antichrist) are allowed to come to power and to inflict judgment upon Israel as a direct result of God’s sovereignty even though the intent of their heart is rooted in pride and a desire for their own power and glory.
Is. 10:7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
The Assyrian is not intent upon being God’s vessel. His desire is to conquer many nations and increase his position of power and wealth.
Is. 10:8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
Is. 10:9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
“princes” – head person, captain, chief, general, governor
I think this is saying that those in leadership under the Assyrian have the power of many kings because his holdings are so great. The greater in power those under him appear to be, the greater he appears to be. Then he starts to make comparisons. None of the cities that he had taken had posed any great problem.
Is. 10:10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
Is. 10:11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
The Assyrian is full of pride. He is expressing the idea that he has conquered kingdoms whose gods and idols were far greater than those of Israel (Samaria) and Judah (Jerusalem). They and their gods certainly shouldn’t cause him any problem.
Is. 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Is. 10:13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
Is. 10:14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
God is now declaring that when His purpose for Israel and Judah has been accomplished, He will punish Assyria because of the king’s pride. The pride of the ruler often pervades the nation as a whole.
The king is claiming these victories in his own strength and power: “my hand…I have done…my wisdom…I am prudent…I have removed…and robbed…I have put down…my hand…have I gathered.” He claims his conquests have been as easy as gathering eggs from the hen’s nest.
Is. 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
God is saying through Isaiah that the instrument of destruction—be it axe, saw, rod or staff—is nothing in and of itself. Assyria and its king were just instruments of God’s choice in accomplishing His purpose. The instrument is only as effective as the one wielding it. It has no power at all in regard to being chosen for use or its effectiveness.
The prophets of Israel, and the people of Israel themselves, were often surprised at God’s chosen instruments of judgment, as exemplified so clearly by Habbakuk.
Habakkuk 1:12-13 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
As I have thought about this, I know that God doesn’t make man’s moral choices for him. The scripture is full of statements regarding man’s ability to choose:
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve.
Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 7:16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
One of the amazing things about God is His omniscience; He has always known the end from the beginning. A man’s choice to accept Him as Lord and Savior is known to God before he is even born—even before the creation of the world.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Knowing these choices, the Lord chooses those vessels to accomplish His purposes in accordance with the desires of the given individual/nation (e.g., Pharaoh, the Assyrian, Babylon, the antichrist, etc.). In that context, it stands to reason that God would choose the wicked to perform the awful acts of judgment aimed at causing His people to turn back to Him in repentance for deliverance.
Is. 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
Is. 10:17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
Is. 10:18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.
Is. 10:19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
Continuing the thought of judgment on Assyria, when God exacts punishment on Assyria, her robust soldiers and men will begin to grow thin and weak. Her glory and pride (her armies) will be destroyed by the judgment of God, The Light of Israel, his Holy One. This judgment is compared to a fire destroying thorns and briers—swift and devastating.
Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Yet, the forest will not be completely consumed, there will be some trees left, but so few that even a child could number them. In other words, Assyria will not be completely destroyed. In chapter 19 Isaiah speaks of a time when Assyria, Egypt and Israel will be allies.
Isaiah 19:23-25 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
Is. 10:20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
In fact, this verse seems to make reference to that time in Christ’s kingdom being referenced in Isaiah 19. In the past, Israel had turned for help to those who had enslaved and threatened them. This verse says that the remnant of Israel and Judah, the house of Jacob, the whole nation, will “no more” put their faith and trust in other nations; they will “stay” (support oneself, rely, rest) on the Lord in “truth” (establishment, stability, sure). That will not be true until Christ sets up His kingdom on earth.
Is. 10:21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
Is. 10:22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
Is. 10:23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
Sadly, it will only be a small remnant of Israel that will return to the Lord since the Lord will destroy many through judgment. The Hebrew for “overflow” implies a cleansing and washing away. In other words, it will cleanse the land of the wicked and allow Israel a fresh start in relationship with their God. God is the One Who has decreed the “consumption” (destruction, riddance).
Is. 10:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
Is. 10:25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
God now directs His words to His people in Judah. Those in Judah should not be afraid of the Assyrian. Though judgment will come, it will be temporary; and the enemy of their judgment will be destroyed. As we listen to God’s message, we need to keep our faith focused on His truth, and not our expectations. What to God is “a very little while” can often seem like forever from the human point of view.
Psalm 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Haggai 2:6-7 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come:
Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
In God’s economy of time, “yet a little while” and the wicked will not be found on earth; that won’t happen until eternity begins. In just “a little while” from the time of Haggai’s prophecy, “the desire of all nations,” which I believe is a reference to Jesus, the Messiah would come; that would be over 500 years later. “Yet a little while” and Jesus will come again according to the writer of Hebrews; it’s already been 2000 years.
Is. 10:26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
God’s destruction of Assyria will be comparable to the destruction of the Midianites through the leadership of Gideon and to the destruction of Pharoah’s army at the Red Sea.
Is. 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
In the day that the Assyrian meets his destruction, the people of Judah will feel like a big yoke has been removed from their neck and a big burden lifted off their shoulders.
“because of the anointing” – I’m not sure what this means. Anointing usually had reference to consecration and holiness before God. Maybe it is a reference to Israel’s chosen position of blessing before God in the millennium.
Is. 10:28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
Is. 10:29 They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
Is. 10:30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
Is. 10:31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
Is. 10:32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
Is. 10:33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
Is. 10:34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
Isaiah now gives a description of the approaching armies of Assyria as they march toward Jerusalem. This account is given in 2Kings 18-19. It took place when Hezekiah was king of Judah. Hezekiah sought God’s protection in prayer, and God informed Hezekiah through Isaiah that Assyria would not be allowed to touch Jerusalem. These verses in Isaiah 10 are obviously before that time. Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of 4 kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.
God routed the Assyrians by sending the angel of the Lord to kill 185,000 of their soldiers in one night. This caused the king of Assyria, Sennacharib, to turn tail and run home where he was eventually killed by two of his sons. The account is clear that God saved Jerusalem for “his own sake.”
2Kings 19:34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
J. Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible) has an interesting note on these verses regarding future events: “This is a remarkable section of prophecy. It gives geographical locations, all of them north of Jerusalem, and it shows the route taken by Assyria and of the future invader from the north….The invader comes from the land of Magog (cf Ezek 38:39).”