God's sovereignty at work-then and Now

 Read Isaiah 10.

The fascinating feature of prophecy is to be reading history in advance.  In great contrast to the fraudulent predictors of the world, God provides exact times and names in advance, and all come true.  It is undeniable proof of His sovereign plans for each of us. 

Proverbs 21:1-"The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will."  If anyone needed proof of the veracity of that statement, Isaiah 10 is it.  The message spoke to the future of two kingdoms and an empire.  The Assyrian Empire would invade and destroy the northern kingdom of Israel.  Then, the Assyrians would unsuccessfully attempt to do the same to Judah.

1. Israel. (vv.1-4)
God gave some specifics that prompted judgment against Israel.    Despite their heritage of faith, this generation had become a godless nation (v.6).  As a result, the northern kingdom would lose everything.  God does have future plans to fulfill His covenant promises to the Jews.  There is hope for a remnant to return to the land, as mentioned in verses 20-23.

2. Assyria. (vv.5-19)
The means of implementing judgment from God is most often an opposing nation.  Here, the LORD chose Assyria to be His instrument.  They are called "the rod of my anger," "the staff in their hands is my fury," "the axe," and "the saw" wielded by God to do His work.  

It may seem confusing to some that the LORD would use a sinful nation to discipline His people.  In history, however, that happened repeatedly.  In doing so, God is not overlooking the sin of any nation or people.  Here He predicted that the King of Assyria will think it was his own plan and his own might that caused the downfall of Israel.  Notice the 6 references to "I" and "my" in verses 13-14.  This, then, set up the eventual destruction of the Assyrian Empire foretold in verses 16-19.  And, indeed, the Babylonians conquered them in God's timing.

3. Judah. (vv.24-34)
For those living in Jerusalem, they will witness Israel's judgment but they will be spared.  The King of Assyria will think that he can keep going south and overrun Judah.  But in Isaiah 37:36-38, when Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem the angel of the LORD "struck down 185,000" Assyrian soldiers.  The defeat resulted in Sennacherib's own sons assassinating him.

These are reminders for us today that God has a plan for each of our lives; that He watches our behaviors and responds accordingly; though great stress may be upon us, He will protect His own.  He will deal with evildoers in His time.