The judgement on Israel continues. Unjust laws and oppressive decrees are singled out. A government should make it a priority to look after the needy.
People oppress the poor because they think they are more powerful and so can get away with it. However, there comes a point where God demonstrates to them in no uncertain terms that they cannot get away with it.
Again we are told that God's anger is not turned away, He still has more against Israel. However, for now, attention turns to Assyria.
Assyria was God's chosen instrument of judgement on Israel, but this did not mean that Assyria was right in what she did. Assyria had her own plans and goals and was proud of her own prowess. She thought that Jerusalem would crumble before her.
Assyria did not realise that she was only an instrument in God's hand, in the same way that Pilate was an instrument in God's hand. She had power only because God gave her the power, and He would take it away from her before she conquered Jerusalem.
Now if someone looked at Assyria at the time they would largely agree with Assyria's assessment of herself, but things would not turn out that way. When we view world events we need to look at God's agenda as well as the military, economic and political facts.
Assyria would be defeated when she thought she was on the verge of victory.
No comments:
Post a Comment