Isaiah 10:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an axe, and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One.

NIV: He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

NASB: He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

CSB: He is clearing the thickets of the forest with an ax, and Lebanon with its majesty will fall.

NLT: He will cut down the forest trees with an ax. Lebanon will fall to the Mighty One.

KJV: And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

NKJV: He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

Isaiah has traced the attack route of an invading army from the north all the way to a spot overlooking the city of Jerusalem. He leaves the fighters there "shaking their fists" at the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:28–32).

Suddenly, he changes scenes and pictures the Lord chopping down the tallest and mightiest of trees (Isaiah 10:33). Now Isaiah adds that the Lord will cut down the trees with an axe. The Lord God will even cut down "Lebanon," likely referring to the massive cedar trees of Lebanon.

The inescapable conclusion to this metaphor is that no matter how daunting the enemy attacking Jerusalem, the Lord will cut them down. When the time is right, the Lord will bring the invading nation down to size. Assyria will not succeed in sacking Jerusalem. God will stop them cold and end their empire's reign of terror.

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 5/2/2024 5:07:54 PM