Isaiah
31:8
8 Then shall the Assyrian ['Ashshuwr] fall [naphal] with the sword [chereb], not of a mighty
man ['iysh]; and the sword [chereb], not of a mean man ['adam], shall devour ['akal] him: but he
shall flee [nuwc] from [paniym] the sword [chereb], and his young
men [bachuwr] shall be
discomfited [mac]. KJV-Interlinear
8 “And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword,
not of man; and a sword, not of man, shall devour him; and he shall flee from
the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor. ESV
The book of Isaiah
is one of the more difficult books to read and understand, simply because
people do not pursue a study of the book. Once you pursue a study, then you
will quickly learn that this is one of the easiest books to understand, just as
the entire Bible is clear and easy to understand, when you engage in a
systematic and daily study.
These last two
verses, demonstrate the helplessness of man, and the hopelessness of any
position that man takes on his own, in this world.
The nation of
Israel, both the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom, had turned away
from God. The nation as a whole, had abandoned the principles and mandates that
were taught in the original Scriptures, and had set out on their own version of
the spiritual life, which was completely opposite of that which was mandated by
God.
As judgment, God
raised up the Assyrian Empire. And evil empire to be sure, however, God often
allows the raising up of evil, to confront evil. But sooner or later, that
second evil will itself be destroyed, because of its own abuse, failing to see
its purpose.
This verse
describes the direct intervention of God, in the destruction of Assyria.
It was allowed to
advance against Israel, in order to punish Israel. However, as nations go, they
fail to see the reality of their purpose in this world and in life, and they
themselves failed to turn to God through Christ, which in effect leaves them
open to God’s judgment, for their failure.
The phrase, fall
by the sword, is typically used to describe a complete destruction.
Not of a mighty
man, refers to brilliant tacticians and strategists and military generals.
Not of a mean man,
refers to the common soldier.
In other words the
defeat of Assyria will not come at the hands of man, but through the direct
intervention of God.
Wars and invasions
initiated by man, take months and years, to run their course.
However, when God
judges, that active judgment comes quickly. The destruction of the Sennacherib
army in a single night, sets the precedent for the destruction of all armies
worldwide, who will be set against Jerusalem at the end of human history.
And those armies will
flee in panic and complete disorganization.
The word for
discomfited, describes the attitude of complete fear and terror, and loss of
courage.
As those enemy
armies are systematically destroyed, so to all of their arrogance and aggressiveness
will be taken from them. The word for discomfited, describes the state of nothing
being left after taxes and tribute have sapped the wealth and resources of
property, leaving it virtually bankrupt.
And so too, the
enemies of God, will flee to their own destruction, leaving nothing, when it is
all said and done.
These
studies are a part of the massive daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org,
and are written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so
already, and therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a phenomenal
eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to
complete yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.
