Woe to Assyria
Text: Isaiah 33
Woe to the Destroyer - Isaiah 33:1
Assyria is not named in this prophecy, but it was called the destroyer (Isaiah 37:11). Sennacherib and his army destroyed Israel and then Judah, but they did not destroy Assyria in return. The Assyrians dealt treacherously with the Israelites, but they did not deal treacherously with Assyria. This refers to Assyria's not keeping its treaty terms with King Ahaz of Israel (II Kings 16:7-8; II Chronicles 28:20). But when Assyria stops its destruction, it will be destroyed — referring to the destruction of Assyria by the Babylonians. The treacherous will be treacherously dealt with (Isaiah 37:38).
The Lord in Action - Isaiah 33:2-6
Isaiah prays on behalf of his country. He asks for God's grace since they have waited for Him. He asks God to strengthen the defenders and save them in their time of distress. At the noise of tumult, the army of the nations fled -- a reference to the panic after the angel killed 186,000 men in the Assyrian military overnight. The plunder left behind would be plundered as men rushed on it like locusts.
The Lord will be exalted for what He has done. He brings about justice, righteousness, and stability to the nation. Salvation, wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord are the treasures He distributes.
The Misery of the Seige - Isaiah 33:7-9
Isaiah then returns to where he started to provide further details. He describes Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege. The soldiers wept, as did the ambassadors who could not gain peace with the Assyrians (II Kings 18:14-17). Trade stopped as no one traveled the roads with the Assyrian army in the region. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, broke his covenant and destroyed cities. The forests in Lebanon were stripped, and the fertile fields of Sharon now more resemble a desert. Bashan and Carmel are ransacked as well.
The Lord Will Arise - Isaiah 33:10-12
The Lord will arise and be exalted.
The Assyrian's plans are chaff (worthless). Their execution is merely stubble (insubstantial). Faced with God's anger, they will be consumed as with fire. They will be burnt down until almost nothing is left.
Who Can Live with the Consuming Fire? - Isaiah 33:13-16
The distant nations and those near are invited to hear what God has done to Assyria and acknowledge His might. The sinners and godless are terrified. Who can live with God's consuming fire? But the righteous find refuge and security in God.
The Messiah's Reign - Isaiah 33:17-24
The righteous will see the Messiah in the beauty of his reign. You'll think back to the terror of the time and wonder what happened to those who recorded the victories of the Assyrian armies. They are gone to be seen no more. Instead, on Mt. Zion, you will see a permanent city. It cannot be talking about earthly Jerusalem as it fell in A.D. 70. It wasn't a place of rivers and wide canals unused by ships of war. All the world's great cities -- in Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon -- were built on rivers. God's city would have all the benefits but none of the problems associated with being on a great river. This is an idealized city, the new Jerusalem. There, God is the judge, lawgiver, and king. Notice the use of three, alluding to the trinity.
Currently, Jerusalem is like a damaged warship. The ropes that should stabilize the mast are slack, and the hole to hold the mast is too loose. It can't hold a sail, and even the lame will plunder it. However, in the future, the residents of the new Jerusalem will not say they are sick but will all be forgiven of their sins.
