Isaiah 10:5-11 - I send him against a godless nation

10:5,6

Assyria was the rod of God’s anger, the instrument used by God to inflict judgement upon Israel and Judah. In this section we will see an example of the paradox of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. In human terms it is probably at best useless to try and work it out. In practical terms I believe we should do two things. We should live our lives (i) in the light and knowledge of the absolute sovereignty of God; and (ii) in the light of His word, seeking to live in obedience and faithfulness to God. The “godless nation” of v6 is Israel and Judah.

10:7

Verse 6 explains briefly God's purpose, judgement upon Israel and Judah for their unfaithfulness. Now we see how Assyria views things. “This in not what he intends”. God had a limited, albeit very severe, punishment upon Israel and Judah. Assyria had in mind world domination. He sought to completely destroy many nations.

10:8-11

Assyria also boasted of her military prowess, not realising that without God’s command she would have achieved nothing. We will see the outworking of this in chapters 36-38. When Hezekiah turned to God Assyria was defeated. In her boasting it becomes apparent that Samaria (Israel) and Judah were places that were full of idols, no different from other nations. “No different from other nations” is perhaps the saddest indictment there can be against Israel. “No different from the world” is the saddest indictment there can be against the church.