As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdomsThis phrase begins with the assertion of power and control, "As my hand seized," which reflects the sovereignty and might of God. In the Hebrew text, the word for "hand" (יָד, yad) often symbolizes power and authority. The imagery of God's hand seizing kingdoms underscores His dominion over all nations, emphasizing that no earthly power can withstand His will. Historically, this reflects the Assyrian conquests, which were permitted by God as a tool of judgment against idolatrous nations. The term "idolatrous kingdoms" refers to nations that have turned away from the worship of the one true God to serve idols. This highlights the recurring biblical theme of God's intolerance for idolatry and His desire for exclusive worship. The historical context here is crucial, as it reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of idol worship, which was prevalent among Israel's neighbors and often led Israel astray. whose images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria—
The phrase "whose images excelled" points to the grandeur and perceived superiority of the idols worshiped by these kingdoms. The Hebrew word for "images" (פֶּסֶל, pesel) refers to carved idols or graven images, which were common in ancient pagan worship. The comparison to "Jerusalem and Samaria" is significant. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, and Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, were both guilty of idolatry at various points in their history. However, the text suggests that the idolatry of these foreign kingdoms was even more pronounced. This serves as a sobering reminder to the people of God about the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from Him. The historical context here is the divided kingdom period, where both Israel and Judah struggled with maintaining pure worship amidst the influence of surrounding nations. This phrase challenges believers to reflect on the purity of their worship and the dangers of allowing cultural influences to lead them away from God. Persons / Places / Events 1. AssyriaThe dominant empire during the time of Isaiah, known for its military prowess and conquests. Assyria is the instrument of God's judgment against Israel and Judah. 2. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, representing the spiritual and political center of the Jewish people. It is often seen as a symbol of God's chosen people and His covenant with them. 3. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often associated with idolatry and apostasy. It fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC. 4. Idolatrous KingdomsRefers to the nations conquered by Assyria, which were steeped in idol worship. These kingdoms are used as a comparison to highlight the spiritual decline of Israel and Judah. 5. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, who conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and Israel. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod uses even pagan nations to accomplish His purposes. Assyria, though idolatrous, is an instrument in God's hand to bring judgment. The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry leads to spiritual decline and judgment. The comparison of Jerusalem and Samaria to idolatrous kingdoms serves as a warning against complacency in faith. The Call to RepentanceThe mention of idolatrous kingdoms should prompt self-examination and repentance. Believers are called to turn away from modern forms of idolatry. Trust in God's DeliveranceDespite the threat of powerful nations, God remains in control. Believers can trust in His ultimate deliverance and justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the historical context of Assyria's conquests help us understand the message of Isaiah 10:10? 2. In what ways can modern believers fall into the trap of idolatry, and how can we guard against it? 3. How does the comparison between Jerusalem, Samaria, and the idolatrous kingdoms challenge us in our personal faith journey? 4. What does Isaiah 10:10 teach us about God's use of nations and leaders to fulfill His purposes? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Isaiah 10:10 to trust in God's sovereignty in our current world events? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 17Provides historical context for the fall of Samaria and the reasons for God's judgment, including idolatry and disobedience. Isaiah 36-37Describes the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem and God's deliverance, emphasizing His sovereignty over nations. Exodus 20:3-4The commandment against idolatry, highlighting the spiritual failure of Israel and Judah in turning to idols. Romans 1:21-23Discusses the consequences of idolatry and turning away from God, relevant to understanding the spiritual state of the nations mentioned. People Anathoth, Assyrians, Egyptians, Isaiah, Jacob, Laish, Oreb, SaulPlaces Aiath, Anathoth, Arpad, Assyria, Calno, Carchemish, Damascus, Egypt, Gallim, Geba, Gibeah, Hamath, Jerusalem, Laishah, Lebanon, Madmenah, Michmash, Midian, Migron, Mount Zion, Nob, Ramah, Samaria, ZionTopics Engraved, Exceed, Exceeded, Excel, Excelled, Got, Graven, Greater, Idols, Images, Jerusalem, Kingdoms, Pictured, Reached, Samaria, Sama'ria, WorthlessDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 10:5-11 1175 God, will of Isaiah 10:7-11 6186 evil scheming Isaiah 10:10-11 5367 kingdoms Library Light or Fire?
'And the Light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.'--ISAIAH x. 17. With grand poetry the prophet pictures the Assyrian power as a forest consumed like thistles and briers by the fire of God. The text suggests solemn truths about the divine Nature and its manifestations. I. The Essential Character of God. Light and Holiness are substantially parallel. Light symbolises purity, but also knowledge and joy. Holiness …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureNob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting If Then the Prophets Prophesied that the Son of God was to Appear Upon The...
If then the prophets prophesied that the Son of God was to appear upon the earth, and prophesied also where on the earth and how and in what manner He should make known His appearance, and all these prophecies the Lord took upon Himself; our faith in Him was well-founded, and the tradition of the preaching (is) true: that is to say, the testimony of the apostles, who being sent forth by the Lord preached in all the world the Son of God, who came to suffer, and endured to the destruction of death …
Irenæus—The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching His Holy Covenant
"To remember His Holy Covenant; to grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, should serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all our days."-LUKE i. 68-75. WHEN Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, he spoke of God's visiting and redeeming His people, as a remembering of His Holy Covenant. He speaks of what the blessings of that Covenant would be, not in words that had been used before, but in what is manifestly a Divine revelation …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Purposes of God.
In discussing this subject I shall endeavor to show, I. What I understand by the purposes of God. Purposes, in this discussion, I shall use as synonymous with design, intention. The purposes of God must be ultimate and proximate. That is, God has and must have an ultimate end. He must purpose to accomplish something by his works and providence, which he regards as a good in itself, or as valuable to himself, and to being in general. This I call his ultimate end. That God has such an end or purpose, …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Concerning Christian Liberty
CHRISTIAN faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do, because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation. While he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness. …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 10:10 NIVIsaiah 10:10 NLTIsaiah 10:10 ESVIsaiah 10:10 NASBIsaiah 10:10 KJV
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