Isaiah 10:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Madmenah is in flight; the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.

NIV: Madmenah is in flight; the people of Gebim take cover.

NASB: Madmenah has fled. The inhabitants of Gebim have sought refuge.

CSB: Madmenah has fled. The inhabitants of Gebim have sought refuge.

NLT: There go the people of Madmenah, all fleeing. The citizens of Gebim are trying to hide.

KJV: Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.

NKJV: Madmenah has fled, The inhabitants of Gebim seek refuge.

It is unclear now where the towns of Madmenah and Gebim once sat. Isaiah describes the people of those towns as running for their lives from the nearby invaders on their way to attack Jerusalem. The picture is of a powerful, fast-moving army, leaving destruction in their wake as they march relentlessly toward Israel's capital (Isaiah 10:28–30).

Isaiah picked up the army's route to the north, at the town of Aiath, and followed its progress to Michmash (Isaiah 10:28). Next the path takes them over the pass to Geba and south to Anathoth (Isaiah 10:29–30), just outside of Jerusalem. Soon the army will be close enough to see the city and shake their fists at the people inside those imposing walls.

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 4/29/2024 10:19:32 PM