Theological Commentary: Click Here
There is a
single phase in this chapter that summarizes the entire chapter. Destruction is
decreed, overflowing with righteousness.
This is a chapter that deals with judgment. However, this is a chapter that also deals
with the reasons behind the judgment.
What has
upset the Lord enough to bring the Assyrians upon Israel to take them into captivity? Their leaders write unfair decrees. The scribes write oppression in their words –
probably meaning laws, specifically. The
do not allow the needy to find justice.
They rob the poor. They do not
care for the orphan and the widow. Because they are taking advantage of the
helpless, they will themselves become helpless.
After Israel,
much of the remaining chapter has to deal with God’s perspective on Assyria.
God is not happy with Assyria at all. He
has brought them into the area to prove a point to the inhabitants. However, Assyria has gone to far. They have not acknowledged God. They believe that they are being successful
by their own might and through their own power.
They are arrogant in their work.
They are
actually doing the exact same thing that the Hebrew people are doing to deserve
judgment. The Assyrians are ignoring God
and leaning upon their own strength. In
order to be righteous, God pronounces judgement upon the Assyrians as
well. They may be the dominant power
now, but they will not last forever.
Their own day of judgment will come because they have ignored the Lord.
This brings
us into the concept of remnant. Isaiah
tells us that God promises that a remnant shall return. Of course, we must realize that while
millions are taken away into captivity, only tens of thousands will
return. Those who learn the lesson God
has set before them will return. Those
who focus upon God and look to Him for strength – even in the midst of great
oppression – will find respite in Him.
This chapter
is all about righteous judgment. The
people are deserving of the punishment.
But the punishment isn’t the end.
There is a hope. There is a
promise. To those who learn the lesson
and demonstrate to God that they understand what He desires will receive the
hope and promise and return to the land God has promised them. There is punishment, but it is not the
end. The end is true restoration in
relationship with God.
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