Isaiah 10:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression,

NIV: Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,

NASB: Woe to those who enact unjust statutes And to those who constantly record harmful decisions,

CSB: Woe to those enacting crooked statutes and writing oppressive laws

NLT: What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws.

KJV: Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

NKJV: “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed

A new chapter begins in Isaiah's book, indicated by the prophet's official pronouncement of "woe" on one specific group of people. Commentators differ about whether the prophet is writing about officials in Israel or in Judah. The same message could be applied to both.

He declares judgment against those who decree sinful decisions or continue to make laws that create injustice. These "law writers" are guilty of writing oppression into the system of justice in both Israel and Judah. The picture here is of corrupt officials using the power of political office to rig the system in their favor. Leaving those who are poor and powerless in the dust.

Scholars and historians suggest Isaiah may be referring to laws that exempted the upper classes or certain cities from paying taxes. Other unjust laws may have involved private property and debt slavery. These were always in favor of the wealthy. When those laws were crafted by the same men who benefited most from them, the poor and powerless often lost out.

Isaiah 10:1–4 begins with Isaiah's declaration of woe. These are against those in Israel and Judah who use the local laws to take advantage of the poor and needy for financial gain. He asks what these rich people will do when the day of punishment comes. What good will their wealth be then? Nothing will be left for them but to die or to cower among those taken captive. The Lord's anger with them will not be satisfied even then.

Isaiah declares woe on those in Israel and Judah who use the law to take advantage of the poor. These people will not escape the Lord's judgment. He next describes the Assyrians as the Lord's staff of judgment against the godless nation that is His people. When He is done punishing His people, the Lord will turn His anger on the Assyrians, nearly destroying them. Eventually, a remnant of Israelites will return to faith in the Lord. Destruction will come, but it will not consume everything. The Lord will triumph over Assyria.

Isaiah 10 follows prophecies about God's judgment on Israel for the nation's sins. It begins pronouncing sorrow for those who oppress the poor and needy. He also declares woe on the Assyrians, whom the Lord is using to judge His people Israel. Soon, the Lord will direct His anger against the Assyrians for the arrogance of their king. He will burn them down as a forest. A remnant of Israel will survive the Assyrian judgment and trust the Lord again. His anger will turn from Israel to Assyria. The Assyrian oppression of Israel will be ended.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 11/23/2024 11:11:19 AM