Isaiah 10:33
33 Behold, the Lord, ['adown] the LORD [Yahovah] of
hosts, [tsaba'] shall lop [ca`aph] the bough [pa'orah] with
terror: [ma`aratsah] and the high ones [ruwm] of stature [qowmah] shall
be hewn down, [gada`] and the haughty [gaboahh] shall be humbled. [shaphel] KJV-Interlinear
33 Behold, the
Lord, the God of hosts, will lop off the boughs with a terrible crash; Those
also who are tall in stature will be cut down, And those who are lofty will be
abased. NASB
In verses 18 and 19, the
northern army was described as a magnificent forest, and here the boughs or
branches of the trees of that forest are going to be cut off, destroyed.
The boughs, means to beautify,
to adorn, and is the expression of magnificence.
And in the mind of that
northern army, and probably most armies of history, they look upon themselves
as magnificent when they are arrayed and advancing.
But in Gods mind, they
are evil and defeated already.
The northern army has
been described as advancing swiftly and successfully. The description of fear at their advance is expressed
from the cities that are in their path.
However, here their
demise is given, and that demise is intended to give faith and hope to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem.
A mighty enemy is
advancing on them, but they, the mature believers of Jerusalem, will be spared
and rescued, and their enemy will be destroyed.
In terror, is ascribed to
the enemy of Jerusalem. They will be cut
down little by little and great by great, and that will destroy their self-image
of magnificence. That will replace their
ego with terror.
How can a magnificent
army be defeated by such feeble opposition?
And yet the defenses of Jerusalem will become an impenetrable barrier
and obstacle.
Their belligerence will
be frustrated and their arrogance will be humbled.
Lop, hewn, and humbled
means total defeat.
This did not occur
historically, but it will occur at the end of the Tribulation.
