Isaiah 10:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth.

NIV: The Lord, the LORD Almighty, will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land.

NASB: For a complete destruction, one that is determined, the Lord God of armies will execute in the midst of the whole land.

CSB: For throughout the land the Lord God of Armies is carrying out a destruction that was decreed.

NLT: Yes, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, has already decided to destroy the entire land.

KJV: For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

NKJV: For the Lord God of hosts Will make a determined end In the midst of all the land.

Isaiah's prophecy in these verses is both hopeful and devastating (Isaiah 10:20–22). The good news for the readers of his day was that Israel would not be wiped off the map by the judgement of the Lord. Though he does not mention them by name, neither the Assyrians or the Babylonians will end Israel as a people or as a nation. A remnant of Israelites will survive and return to trust in the Lord once more (Isaiah 10:20).

The solemn news, however, is that only a fraction of the Israelites will be saved. The vast majority will be destroyed or carried off into captivity. This will happen first by the Assyrians, and later by Babylon. Israel has been faithless. The people have broken their covenant with the Lord. The destruction has already been decreed and announced. The Lord of Hosts will carry it out. There is no stopping what the Lord has willed.

Isaiah 10:20–34 describes the remnant that will be saved in Israel and who will reestablish trust in the Lord. Only these few will be saved, and the Lord's destruction will come. The Lord, though, urges His people not to fear the Assyrians. His anger will soon turn from Israel to Assyria's direction. He will use His supernatural power to end Assyria's oppression over Israel. Even if a great Assyrian army marches all the way to the edge of Jerusalem, the Lord will cut them down as 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).

Accessed 5/5/2024 6:18:44 AM