1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.
19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
29 They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
Isaiah Chapter 10 of the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible is a prophetic chapter that presents a rich tapestry of themes and meanings. The chapter is located in the Book of Isaiah, which is the first of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and the first of the Major Prophets in the Christian Old Testament. Isaiah Chapter 10 is a continuation of the divine messages that the Prophet Isaiah received, and it offers a profound exploration of God's judgement, the sovereignty of God, the concept of remnant, divine mercy, and hope for restoration.
Isaiah Chapter 10 opens with a stern rebuke of those who enact unjust laws and oppressive decrees, thereby depriving the poor of their rights and withholding justice from the oppressed (Isaiah 10:1-2). This theme of God's judgement is a recurring motif in the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the divine expectation for justice, fairness, and righteousness in human societies.
The chapter further reveals the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. God is portrayed as the supreme ruler who uses nations to accomplish His divine purposes, even when these nations are unaware of their divinely ordained roles. The Assyrian empire, in particular, is described as the 'rod of God's anger' (Isaiah 10:5), wielded by God to punish the Israelites for their sins. However, the Assyrians, driven by pride and arrogance, do not recognize that they are mere instruments in God's hands (Isaiah 10:7-11).
Another significant theme in Isaiah Chapter 10 is the concept of the remnant. Despite the impending judgement that the Israelites face, God promises to leave a remnant of His people (Isaiah 10:20-22). This notion of the remnant is a key theological concept in the prophetic literature, symbolizing those who remain faithful to God amidst widespread apostasy and who are subsequently preserved by God.
Closely linked to the concept of the remnant is the theme of divine mercy. Even in His judgement, God retains a measure of mercy, promising to end His punishment once His purpose has been achieved (Isaiah 10:25). This reveals that God's judgement is not aimed at total destruction, but at correction and restoration.
The final theme of Isaiah Chapter 10 is the hope for restoration. The chapter closes with a prophecy of the Messiah, a descendant of Jesse, who will rule in righteousness and justice (Isaiah 10:33-34). This prophecy offers a vision of hope and reassurance for the people of Israel, affirming that their suffering will not last forever and that a time of peace and prosperity is on the horizon.
In conclusion, Isaiah Chapter 10 is a compelling exploration of divine judgement, the sovereignty of God, the concept of the remnant, divine mercy, and hope for restoration. It underscores the divine expectation for justice and righteousness, highlights God's supreme control over the affairs of nations, affirms the divine promise of preservation for the faithful remnant, reveals God's mercy even in judgement, and offers a vision of hope for the future. This chapter, like the rest of the Book of Isaiah, invites us to reflect on the nature of God, the consequences of disobedience, and the promise of divine mercy and restoration.
Share this page