Isa 10:33 | KingComments | STEP | Just before the king of Assyria thinks he is captivating Jerusalem, Someone appears on stage Who he did not take into account. This One also shakes His hand and cuts him down ( ). Again the prophet presents the Assyrian world power as a mountain forest with tall trees ( ) and sets this world power opposite “the Lord, the LORD of hosts” Who cuts down with dreadful force those “who are tall in stature”. First He used Assyria as His axe to strike His people ( ). Now He Himself uses the axe to smite Assyria. Under the mighty blows of Divine power this proud kingdom, which has exalted itself as the cedars of Lebanon, collapses ( ). He has called himself “a mighty one” ( ). Now he falls under the blows of Him Who alone and rightly can be called “the Mighty One”. The first fulfillment takes place in the days of Hezekiah ( ). The final fulfillment takes place at the end of time ( ). In both cases the prophecy means to show that by God’s power man’s highness is humiliated and his kingdom is ended. This opens the way for the kingdom of God. That is the subject of the next chapter.

‏ Isaiah 10:33

The Armies of Assyria Exterminated

Just before the king of Assyria thinks he is captivating Jerusalem, Someone appears on stage Who he did not take into account. This One also shakes His hand and cuts him down (Isa 10:33). Again the prophet presents the Assyrian world power as a mountain forest with tall trees (Isa 10:18) and sets this world power opposite “the Lord, the LORD of hosts” Who cuts down with dreadful force those “who are tall in stature”.

First He used Assyria as His axe to strike His people (Isa 10:15). Now He Himself uses the axe to smite Assyria. Under the mighty blows of Divine power this proud kingdom, which has exalted itself as the cedars of Lebanon, collapses (Isa 10:34). He has called himself “a mighty one” (Isa 10:13). Now he falls under the blows of Him Who alone and rightly can be called “the Mighty One”.

The first fulfillment takes place in the days of Hezekiah (Isa 37:36). The final fulfillment takes place at the end of time (Dan 11:45). In both cases the prophecy means to show that by God’s power man’s highness is humiliated and his kingdom is ended. This opens the way for the kingdom of God. That is the subject of the next chapter.