Isaiah 9:8-10

Vs. 12  Raise international enemies every side to deal w/ “national pride”.  Calvin saw as prophetic 300 yrs ago.  “How many are the distresses with which Europe has been afflicted for thirty or forty years? How many are the chastisements by which she has been called to repentance? And yet it does not appear that those numerous chastisements have done any good. On the contrary, luxury…What then should we expect but to be bruised with heavier blows?”  4X repeats…without repentance do not expect rest. 

 

Vs. 17  Just get worse.  Why?  Everyone Hypocrite: Mt 7:5, Lk 13:15, Rom 2:21

Evildoer: Ge 19:7-sexual abuse, 31:7 ripping off employees, 44:5 stealing, Ex 5:23 Physical abuse.  Speaking foolishness: not childishness, the fool says, there is no God.  This prophecy was a call to repentance.  18 yrs before Assyria ravage.  Nineveh only 40 days (month) Jonah 4:2

 

10:3     Spurgeon: “Foolish living world without thought what you do at end? A man goes into an inn, and as soon as he sits down he begins to order his wine, his dinner, his bed; there is no delicacy in season that he forgets to order. He stays at the inn for some time. By and by, the bill comes due, and it takes him by surprise. "I never thought of that--I never thought of that!" "Why," says the landlord, "here is a man who is either a born fool or else a knave. What! Never thought of reckoning--never thought of settling with me!"

When corrupt leaders pass laws that help them while destroying weak, they will someday need help and not find it…Pr 21:13, "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard."

 

10:6     Lesson to be learned:  God uses ungodly world.  Assyrians used by God, even though no clue.  Jer 27:6, Neb= “My servant”, Isa 44 Cyrus= “My shepherd”.  Ezek 38:4, God draws Gog into invasion.  Used Joseph’s brothers sin to save…used Judas’ betrayal to save.  We cannot know in advance how God use “bad” things for our good, but He promises (Rm 8:28) and He is God!

 

10:11   Can’t compare God to idols.  Not some plastic figure stick on dash. Isn’t some deity you visit on holidays. He’s real, powerful, the Creator God!

 

10:15   Corrie Ten Boom-woodpecker and lightning story.  As wonderful as it is to be an instrument in hand of God, the instrument deserves no special glory (Lk 17:10)  Sports paraphernalia valuable because what someone did, not what made of.

 

10:19   2 Kg 19:35… Though marched to Jer. and encamped short distance and boasted loudly,  not release single arrow, no siege engine, no banks.  Herodotus (Greek historian) records in one night Sennacherib’s camp infested rodents that destroyed arrows and shield-thongs, sandals…So, had to mysteriously leave…dead? 

 

10:20   Lord told them Chpt 7 to trust.  Didn’t, so they go thru this… But, in end will come conclusion, only One can depend on is Lord.  Though talking about day God judges Assyrians, "in that day" often refers when Lord returns to set up kingdom.  It seems entering section where prophecy has dual fulfillment, the release from Assyria and the release from antichrist’s govt.  Both will see a remnant make it thru and cling only to Lord.  Rm 11:26

 

10:23   Tough times like fire, different affect on wood and metal.  Destroys or strengthens.  Hard times either make bitter or better? Hard times drew prodigal back to father (Lk 15).  Paul directly quotes this vs. Rm 9:27 and tells us the Jews will come back to the Mighty God for salvation…Jesus! 

 

10:25   1st: Difficult times will come w/ Assyrian invasion but won’t last.  2^nd: Terrible times during trib, yet won’t last.  During Great Tribulation, a great war in heaven, Michael  vs. Satan…Rv 12:12. The remnant of Jews hide in "wilderness".  But, only for a time.  No earthly govt able deliver which cause them to trust only in Lord.   

 

10:26   Gideon’s victory 400 to 1, Israel’s freedom…1^st: 2 Kg 19:35-185K Assyrians (even 2 Kg 19:36-37).  2^nd: Rv 19:19-21

 

10:27   1^st slaughter of Assyrians. Isa 37:35 says… For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David's sake.  2nd defeat of Antichrist.  When JC comes He will take care of antichrist.  2 Th 2:8 the Lord will consume [him] with the breath of His mouth and destroy [him] with the brightness of His coming.