Conclusion of Jehovah Takes Up "the Rod"

Many of the non-Israelite cities conquered by the Assyrians were previously ruled by kings.  These former kings now have to submit to the king of Assyria as vassal princes, so he can truly boast:  "Are not my princes at the same time kings?" (Isaiah 10:8)  These false gods of prominent cities of the nations could not save their worshipers from destruction.  The gods worshiped by the inhabitants of Samaria, such as Baal, Molech, and the golden calves, will not protect that city.  Having forsaken Jehovah, Samaria has no right to expect  him to intervene.  Let any today who forsake Jehovah take notice of  Samaria's fate!  The Assyrian can well boast regarding Samaria and the other cities he has conquered:  "Is not Calno  just like Carchemish? Is not Hamath just like Arpad?  Is not Samaria just like Damascus?"  (Isaiah 10:9)  They are all the same to the Assyrian-spoil for him to take.

However, the Assyrian goes too far in his boasting. He says: "Whenever my hand has reached the kingdoms of the valueless god whose graven images are more than those at Jerusalem and at Samaria, will it not be that just as I shall have done to Samaria and to her valueless gods, even so I shall do to Jerusalem and to her idols?"  (Isaiah 10:10, 11)  The kingdoms already defeated by the Assyrian possessed far more idols than do Jerusalem or even Samaria.  'What,' he reasons, 'is to prevent me from doing to Jerusalem what I did to Samaria?'

The braggart!  Jehovah will not allow  him to take Jerusalem.  True, Judah does not have a spotless record of supporting true worship.  (2 Kings 16:7-9; 2 Chronicles 28:24)  Jehovah has warned that because of her unfaithfulness, Judah will suffer much during the Assyrian invasion. But Jerusalem will survive.  (Isaiah 1:7, 8) When the Assyrian invasion occurs, Hezekiah is king in Jerusalem.  Hezekiah is not like his father Ahaz.  Why, in the very first month of his reign, Hezekiah reopens the temple doors and restores pure worship! -2 Chronicles 29:3-5.

So Assyrian's proposed attack on Jerusalem does not have Jehovah's approval. Jehovah promises an accounting with that insolent world power: "It must occur that when Jehovah terminates all his work in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, I shall make an accounting for the fruitage of the insolence of the heart of the king of Assyria and for the self-importance of his loftiness eyes." -Isaiah 10:12.

Next time: On to Judah and Jerusalem!

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000