Isaiah 10:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols, whose carved images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

NIV: As my hand seized the kingdoms of the idols, kingdoms whose images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria—

NASB: As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols, Whose carved images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

CSB: As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms, whose idols exceeded those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

NLT: Yes, we have finished off many a kingdom whose gods were greater than those in Jerusalem and Samaria.

KJV: As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

NKJV: As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

The Lord is quoting the attitude of Sargon II, king of the Assyrians (Isaiah 10:8–11). Sargon has been boasting about his Assyrian war machine. What could ever stop it? It has already rolled through numerous cities and city-states. What will keep the next nations from being like those who have come before?

Now Sargon describes the religious beliefs of the people he has conquered. Especially in this era, when one nation conquered another, it was believed that the god of the victorious nation had defeated the god of those who had been destroyed. Sargon essentially says, that he and his armies have defeated the famous, powerful gods known as Hadad, Marduk, Baal, and El. He claims this by defeating the people who worship and serve those gods. Now he asks, in outright arrogance, why will the "carved images" of the people of Jerusalem and Samaria be any different?

Two things are happening here. First, the people of both Israel and Judah and their cities of Samaria and Jerusalem did have many carved images that they worshipped (Exodus 20:4–5). One of the things the Lord was going to show them in His judgment is that these idols could not save them. Their false gods had no power. Sargon was right that he would easily overpower these nonexistent deities.

Sargon was wrong about one thing, though. The true God of the Israelites in Samaria and Judah was not to be found in any carved idol in Israel or Judah. Yahweh did not allow carved images to be made of Himself. Assyria's mighty armies were just a tool in His hand. This tool would not be able to crush His city of Jerusalem when He did not to allow it.

Isaiah 10:5–19 describes Assyria as a weapon of the Lord's anger directed at His own people. The king of Assyria imagines himself to be the source of his own strength. He also images that he will keep conquering one nation after another. However, when the Lord has finished using Assyria, He will turn and judge the king for his arrogance. Does the axe boast over the one who uses it? Or does the staff lift the one who holds it? The Lord will consume Assyria as fire consumes a forest.

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).