Destruction of Assyria
August 9, 2020
Commentary
Isaiah’s sixth and final pronouncement of “woe” upon the kingdom of Israel and Judah deals with the devastation that shall come upon the land (v. 1). It is directed against Sennacherib because of his treachery against Judah. Hezekiah had tried to “buy off” the Assyrians (II Kings 18:13-15) but Sennacherib had broken the agreement and invaded Judah anyway. This was a foolish thing for King Hezekiah to do when he took the temple treasures and tried to bribe Sennacherib, but God forgave him. When Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrians there was a godly remnant that prayed (vv. 2-4). God spared Jerusalem because of this remnant who prayed and trusted God. We should never underestimate the power of a praying minority.
Rejoicing in the Lord’s omnipotence, the righteous praise God for His exaltation, for filling Jerusalem with justice and righteousness, with wisdom and knowledge (vv. 5-6). But in the present, there was no peace, only lamentation (vv 7-9). Some of Judah’s bravest soldiers wept when they saw one city after another fall to the enemy. The roads were very dangerous to travel, the fields and orchards were ruined, and there was no way of escape; except to turn to God (v. 10). Isaiah describes God’s judgment as someone who’s plans will turn to chaff and straw. The hot breath of the Assyrian invaders would destroy them like a fire set to burning brushes (vv 11-12).
Application
Assyria continually broke its promises, but demanded that others keep theirs. It is so easy for me to put myself in the same selfish position of demanding my rights while ignoring the rights of others. I need to treat others as I would have them treat me.
Isaiah 33:1– 12 (NET)
1 The destroyer is as good as dead, you who have not been destroyed! The deceitful one is as good as dead, the one whom others have not deceived! When you are through destroying, you will be destroyed; when you finish deceiving, others will deceive you!
2 Lord, be merciful to us! We wait for you. Give us strength each morning. Deliver us when distress comes.
3 The nations run away when they hear a loud noise; the nations scatter when you spring into action!
4 Your plunder disappears as if locusts were eating it; they swarm over it like locusts.
5 The Lord is exalted, indeed, he lives in heaven; he fills Zion with justice and fairness.
6 He is your constant source of stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.
7 Look, ambassadors cry out in the streets; messengers sent to make peace weep bitterly.
8 Highways are empty, there are no travelers. Treaties are broken, witnesses are despised, human life is treated with disrespect.
9 The land dries up and withers away; the forest of Lebanon shrivels up and decays. Sharon is like the arid rift valley; Bashan and Carmel are parched.
10 “Now I will rise up,” says the Lord. “Now I will exalt myself; now I will magnify myself.
11 You conceive straw, you give birth to chaff; your breath is a fire that destroys you.
12 The nations will be burned to ashes; like thorn bushes that have been cut down, they will be set on fire.
Illustration: Child’s Relations With The Parent
According to psychologist William Damon, respect for the parent who exercises proper authority leads to respect for legitimate social institutions and to respect for law. Damon writes, “The child’s respect for parental authority sets the direction for civilized participation in the social order when the child later begins assuming the rights and responsibilities of full citizenship.” Damon calls this respect “the single most important legacy that comes out of the child’s relations with the parent.” (The Moral Child by William Damon)