Haughtiness and Insolence Earn God's Wrath

Jehovah's "word" will not be ignored.  "The people will certainly know it, even all of them, Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, because of their haughtiness and because of their insolence of heart."  (Isaiah 9:9)  "Jacob," Israel," "Ephraim," and "Samaria" all refer to the northern kingdom of Israel, of which Ephraim is the predominant tribe and Samaria the capital. Jehovah's  word against that kingdom is a strong judicial statement, for Ephraim has become hardened in apostasy and is brazenly insolent toward Jehovah God will not protect the people from the consequences of their wicked ways.  They will be forced to hear, or pay attention to, God's word. -Galatians 6:7.

As conditions deteriorate, the people experience severe losses, including their homes-commonly made of mud bricks, and inexpensive wood.  Are their hearts softened as a result?  Will they heed Jehovah's prophets and return to the true God?  Isaiah records the people's insolent response: "Bricks are what have fallen but with hewn stone we shall build. Sycamore trees are  what have been cut down, but with cedars we shall  make replacement."  (Isaiah 9:10)   The Israelites defy Jehovah and spurn his prophets, who tell them whey they are suffering hardships.  In effect, the people say:  'We may lose houses made of perishable mud bricks and inexpensive wood, but we will do more than make good for these losses by rebuilding with superior materials-hewn stone and cedar!" (Compare Job 4:19)  They leave Jehovah no choice but to discipline them  further.-Compare Isaiah 48:22.

 Isaiah continues:  "Jehovah will set the adversaries o Rezin on  high against him."  (Isaiah 9:11a)  King Pekah of Israel and King Rezin of Syria are allies.  they are scheming to conquer the two-tribe kingdom of Judah and to place  on Jehovah's throne in Jerusalem a puppet king-a certain "son of Tabeel."  (Isaiah 7:6) But the conspiracy is doomed. Rezin has powerful enemies, and Jehovah will 'set on high' these enemies against "him," Israel.  The term 'set on high' means to allow them to wage effective warfare that  will bring about the destruction of the alliance and its objectives.

Next time: Conclusion of Haughtiness and Insolence Earn God's  Wrath

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