Friday, November 22 – Isaiah 10, 11

1. In what way did Assyria misunderstand its true role in history? (Isaiah 10:5-7)

2. How does Isaiah describe the remnant? (Isaiah 10:20-21)

3. How does Isaiah describe Jesus? (Isaiah 11:1, 2, 10)

4. Additionally, what were his military conquests? (2 Chronicles 27:5)

Commentary and Reflection:

The “evangelical prophet” reminds the faithful remnant to trust in God, who will be their protector and deliverer. Although God, in His sovereignty, chose Assyria as His instrument of punishment—a “rod” against Judah—He indicates that this ungodly empire will, in turn, be judged for its arrogance and cruelty.

Isaiah 10:1-4 presents the woes against the oppressive Jewish leaders who mistreat their people. The sentence is unequivocal: they will be taken into captivity. Among the abuses they committed were creating unjust and tyrannical laws, denying justice to the poor, stripping widows of their rights, and stealing from orphans. The message is direct: What will you do when you must give an account and when you see punishment coming from afar? To whom will you turn for help? If they are not humbled and taken captive, they will fall among those killed by the sword.

In verse 5, God explains that Judah’s punishment is due to their treachery and hypocrisy. Regarding Assyria, He clarifies that in its arrogance, it believes it has the right to destroy nations at will. The Assyrian leaders operate with selfish interests and do not understand that God is using them as instruments. Some may wonder, as Habakkuk did, why God uses wicked kingdoms or nations to discipline His people. How can the more wicked the less wicked punish? The concept of “more wicked” and “less wicked” is relative and subjective. Who had more light—Judah or Assyria?

It was not the Spirit of the Lord that moved Assyria to attack Israel and Judah, but the spirit of the enemy. God removed His protective hand from Judah and Israel, allowing Assyria to act on its malice toward His people. Indeed, we reap what we sow.

The Assyrian kingdom was known for its cruelty toward conquered peoples. In response to Assyria’s arrogance and boasting, God asks, “Can the axe exalt itself over the one who wields it? Can the saw boast over the one who moves it? It is like a staff claiming to be stronger than the man who carries it.” Once again, God’s sovereignty is above His instruments of punishment.

Finally, God promises His people that the Lord Almighty will punish Assyria and demonstrate His power over them.

Chapter 11 contains one of Isaiah’s most beautiful Messianic prophecies, foretelling the age of the Messiah. The descendant of Jesse will bring a reign of peace and justice. We can rejoice in this oasis where God will fulfill the long-awaited ancient promise.

The prophet compares Jesse, David’s father, to a tree. The judgment on Israel is like cutting down a tree, but this falling is not final, for the stump will produce a shoot or branch. This way, God’s covenant with David is fulfilled. The ideal king from David’s lineage is fulfilled in Christ, as seen in the New Testament. Revelation 5:5 echoes this fulfillment when one of the elders comforts John, saying: “…Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

(v. 2) “The Spirit of the Lord” would rest upon the Messiah, endowing Him with wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, and the fear of the Lord.

In Isaiah’s time, the judges were corrupt, taking advantage of the poor and weak, while the wealthy exploited widows and orphans. In contrast, the promised Messiah would act with a spirit of justice, equity, mercy, and compassion for the needy. Knowledge of the Messiah is more than intellectual—it includes recognizing God’s presence in life and personal conduct.

Starting in verse 6, we are given a glimpse of what the renewed earth will be like in the eternal kingdom of our Lord. This is a return to the original peace of the Garden of Eden.

We long to see this scene: the wolf and the lamb will live in peace, the leopard and the young goat will lie down together, the calf and the lion will grow side by side, a lion and an ox will eat grass, the cow and the bear will be friends with their young resting together, and in all of this, “a little child shall lead them.” A child will play at the cobra’s hole and put his hand in the viper’s den. In all of the Lord’s holy mountain, there will be no harm or destruction.

Although the promise of Israel’s deliverance and prosperity, as announced by Isaiah, was there to be claimed by His people, it was sadly left unfulfilled due to Israel’s constant rebellion. However, God’s promises are faithful, and now they will be fulfilled for spiritual Israel, His church, when Jesus returns to gather His people from every nation, tribe, tongue, and people to lead us into that eternal kingdom promised through Isaiah.

May we all prepare to be there.