Isa 10:28-34 | KingComments | STEP | In , first the march and then the humiliation of Assyria in his fight against Judah are presented in a vivid manner. First the unstoppable march of the enemy from the north to Jerusalem is vividly described. In the spirit the prophet sees that he invaded the realm of Judah via Ephraim. “Aiath”, “Migron” and “Michmash” are conquered ( ). Aiath (mentioned Ai in and Aija in ) is the northernmost of the places in . Aiath lies on the border between Ephraim and Benjamin, about fifteen kilometers north of Jerusalem. Migron and Michmash are located a few kilometers south of Aiath. To cross the mountain pass – a very steep wadi – the “baggage” is deposited at Michmash. In “Gibeah”, directly on the other side of the wadi, they spend the night ( ). The news of their advance causes panic throughout the area north of Jerusalem. The prophet is so involved in this scene that he calls on one place to cry aloud and warns another place with the exclamation: “Pay attention!” ( ). About yet another place, which may already have been overrun, he can only express a deep pity: “Wretched Anathoth!” He sees how the inhabitants of yet other places try to seek refuge ( ). The same day the Assyrian armies reach “Nob” ( ). There they lie down in position. Nob is probably the present Mount Scopus, a few kilometers northeast of Jerusalem, directly north of the Mount of Olives. From here the enemy “shakes his fist”. The whole campaign went smoothly. All that remains is its completion: the capture of Jerusalem. He is about to give “the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem” the deadly blow. But the army of Assyria does not take into account the LORD Who returns to Jerusalem. We see this in the following verses.

‏ Isaiah 10:28-34

The March of Assyria

In Isa 10:28-34, first the march and then the humiliation of Assyria in his fight against Judah are presented in a vivid manner. First the unstoppable march of the enemy from the north to Jerusalem is vividly described. In the spirit the prophet sees that he invaded the realm of Judah via Ephraim.

“Aiath”, “Migron” and “Michmash” are conquered (Isa 10:28). Aiath (mentioned Ai in Jos 7:2 and Aija in Neh 11:31) is the northernmost of the places in Isa 10:28-32. Aiath lies on the border between Ephraim and Benjamin, about fifteen kilometers north of Jerusalem. Migron and Michmash are located a few kilometers south of Aiath. To cross the mountain pass – a very steep wadi – the “baggage” is deposited at Michmash. In “Gibeah”, directly on the other side of the wadi, they spend the night (Isa 10:29). The news of their advance causes panic throughout the area north of Jerusalem.

The prophet is so involved in this scene that he calls on one place to cry aloud and warns another place with the exclamation: “Pay attention!” (Isa 10:30). About yet another place, which may already have been overrun, he can only express a deep pity: “Wretched Anathoth!” He sees how the inhabitants of yet other places try to seek refuge (Isa 10:31).

The same day the Assyrian armies reach “Nob” (Isa 10:32). There they lie down in position. Nob is probably the present Mount Scopus, a few kilometers northeast of Jerusalem, directly north of the Mount of Olives. From here the enemy “shakes his fist”. The whole campaign went smoothly. All that remains is its completion: the capture of Jerusalem. He is about to give “the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem” the deadly blow. But the army of Assyria does not take into account the LORD Who returns to Jerusalem. We see this in the following verses.

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.