The Returning Remnant of Israel
March 6, 2020
Commentary
Once Assyria’s army was destroyed, a small group of God’s people would stop relying on Assyria and start trusting God (vv. 20-23). Those who remained faithful to God despite the horrors of the invasion are called the remnant. The key to being a part of the remnant was faith. Being a descendant of Abraham, living in the promised land or having trusted God at one time was not good enough.
Isaiah had already reminded the people that they should not worry about the Assyrian aggression because God was on their side (vv. 24-27). In spite of their early success the invading Assyrians were miraculously stopped by divine intervention. An account of this is given where the angel of the Lord slays the invading army. With this God lifted the Assyrian burden and yoke from Judah.
The route the Assyrian invaders took in trying to defeat Judah was from the north. They crossed over the northern boundary at Ai, about eight miles north of Jerusalem and came south to Nob, about two miles from Jerusalem. The cities listed are lesser towns which were taken by the Assyrian army as they marched toward Jerusalem (vv. 28-34).
Application
Relying on my Christian heritage, going to church or past experience will not put me in a right relationship with God. The key to being a part of God’s family is faith in Him.
Isaiah 10:20– 34 (NET)
20 At that time those left in Israel, those who remain of the family of Jacob, will no longer rely on a foreign leader that abuses them. Instead they will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. 21 A remnant will come back, a remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. 22 For though your people, Israel, are as numerous as the sand on the seashore, only a remnant will come back. Destruction has been decreed; just punishment is about to engulf you. 23 The Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies is certainly ready to carry out the decreed destruction throughout the land.
24 So here is what the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of Assyria, even though they beat you with a club and lift their cudgel against you as Egypt did. 25 For very soon my fury will subside, and my anger will be directed toward their destruction.” 26 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is about to beat them with a whip, similar to the way he struck down Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will use his staff against the sea, lifting it up as he did in Egypt.
27 At that time the Lord will remove their burden from your shoulders, and their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be taken off because your neck will be too large.
28 They attacked Aiath, moved through Migron, depositing their supplies at Micmash.
29 They went through the pass, spent the night at Geba. Ramah trembled, Gibeah of Saul ran away.
30 Shout out, daughter of Gallim! Pay attention, Laishah! Answer her, Anathoth!
31 Madmenah flees, the residents of Gebim have hidden.
32 This very day, standing in Nob, they shake their fist at Daughter Zion’s mountain — at the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Look, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies is ready to cut off the branches with terrifying power. The tallest trees will be cut down, the loftiest ones will be brought low.
34 The thickets of the forest will be chopped down with an ax, and mighty Lebanon will fall.