(11) Isaiah 9:8*-12:6

This prophecy begins with Isaiah announcing God's displeasure with His people who live in sin. He warns them of a day when, if they do not repent of their wickedness, they will be destroyed by their enemies. Four times he mentions, "His hand is stretched out" (vv. 9:12,17,21; 10:4). Likewise, the faithful remnant of Jews in the great tribulation will plead with their apostate brothers and sisters to repent of their iniquity (Isa. 9:8- 10:4).

[ Note: *We must keep in mind that the division of our Bible into chapters and verses is not divinely inspired as the Scriptures are. Men placed chapters and verses to facilitate references and they are of great help, but unfortunately in this case they placed the chapter incorrectly, dividing a subject that the Spirit wished to have continuity. This prophecy of Isaiah is an example of this because it begins in the middle of the chapter. ] After the nation had refused to heed the repeated warnings, God allowed the Assyrians to come against them as "the rod" of His anger. He will use the Assyrians* in a similar way in the future to eliminate from the land the apostate Jews who received the Antichrist as their king (of whom Ahab, who was a king in Isaiah's days, is a type). The Assyrians will trample them like the mud of the streets and carry away treasures of gold and silver that they accumulated for themselves through their commercial enterprise (Isa. 2:7; 17:14). This is the first attack of the Assyrians -- the King of the North and his Arab Confederation (Isa. 10:5-12), and refers to point #2 of the summary. [ Note: *These prophecies both have a near application and a further one. They were partially fulfilled in the days of the Assyrian kings of antiquity, but are recorded in the Scriptures because they prefigure, in prophecy, the future Assyrian invasions. ] Because the Assyrians have devastated the land, and because they did not attribute their success to the Lord, but to themselves, the Lord promises that He will judge them (Isa. 10:12). He reminds them that they could do nothing against His people (Israel) unless He permitted it. The Assyrians were only an instrument in the Lord's hands in the desolation, like an axe, etc., which cannot do anything by itself (Isa. 10:12-15). Consequently the Lord judges the Assyrians whom He used to destroy the apostate Jews. Their destruction is seen under the figure of an enormous forest in flames* (Isa. 10:16- 19). This is point #5. Shortly before this, the Lord will have appeared (His second coming) to judge the western powers (the Beast), but this is not mentioned here because Isaiah's subject is the Assyrians.

[ Note: *This symbolism should not be forgotten by everyone who reads the Scriptures. Trees are figures of men and, therefore, a forest would be a multitude of peoples. In this case it is an army of men (see Luke 3:9; 6:43-45; Amos 2:9; Isa. 2:11-17, etc.) Fire is constantly used in the Scriptures as a symbol of judgment (i.e. Matt. 25:41). ] After the Lord judges the Assyrians (the King of the North), He will restore the ten tribes of Israel, bringing them back to their homeland (Isa. 10:20-23). This occurs in the interval between points 5 and 6.

When the ten tribes of Israel find themselves again dwelling in the promised land, the Assyrians come again. This is the second attack of the Assyrians who are Gog (Russia) and the many nations under his command. A great fear comes upon the newly restored Israel, but the Lord assures them that they need not be afraid of the approaching armies. Although the Assyrians afflicted them with their rod (in the first attack), when he raises his staff against Israel this time (second attack), they will be destroyed like the Egyptians (Ex. 14) and the Midianites (Judg. 6-8). These two judgments in Israel's history are significant because both enemies were defeated by the Lord without Israel doing anything. In the same way the Lord will rise in defense of Israel and destroy the Assyrians in their second attack (Isa. 10:24-27). In the last part of the tenth chapter, Isaiah realistically portrays the Assyrian advance (second attack) toward Jerusalem. There is no doubt that this was fulfilled in the time of Sennacherib (who is a type of Gog -- 2 Chron. 32), but it is the Spirit's intention to prefigure the final attack of the Assyrians under Gog's command. As they approach, they pass from city to city, getting closer and closer to Jerusalem. "Aiath" (Ai) is located 16 kilometers north of Jerusalem; "Migron" is 15 kilometers north; "Michmash" 14 kilometers; "the pass" (Almeida Atualizada Version. This is the brook Cherith) is 11 kilometers north; "Geba" is 9 and a half kilometers north; "Ramah" is 8 kilometers north; "Gibeah" is 5 and a half kilometers north; "Gallim" and "Anathoth" are 4 and a half kilometers north; "Madmenah" and "Gebim" are 3 kilometers north; and "Nob" is one and a half kilometers north of Jerusalem.* When the Assyrians approach the city of Jerusalem and try to take it, the Lord will roar from Zion (Joel 3:16) and destroy them. Their destruction is once again seen in the figure of a forest being cut down (Isa. 10:28-34). This refers to point #6 in the summary.

[ Note: *Whether or not Gog will come that close to Jerusalem is not what is important here. The prophet's language is only intended to present his advance. ] Chapter 11 follows, with the Lord (the "Branch" who is the same as the "Nazarene" in Matt. 2:23) ruling over the earth in righteousness and peace after the Assyrians have been judged. The wolf and the sheep are seen dwelling together and the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord (Isa. 11:1-9). Meanwhile, all the remaining individuals of the ten tribes of Israel who have not yet returned to their land before the final attack of the Assyrians will come and be gathered to their brothers (Isa. 11:10-13). On that occasion the armies of restored Israel will go out on a victorious campaign subduing the enemies that remain in their rightful inheritance (Isa. 11:14-16). This is point no. 7.

Chapter 12 is a song of praise and thanksgiving of redeemed Israel, in the Millennium (Isa. 12:1-6).