Scripture

After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish His purposes, He will turn against the king of Assyria  and punish him, for he is proud and arrogant.

Observation

The unjust judges of Israel who steal from the poor will be punished. They will have nobody to turn to for help.

Assyria is the Lord’s tool –  a rod or club. The Lord is sending Assyria against Israel because they have become godless. 

The king of Assyria is himself arrogant and thinks he is mightier than the God of Israel. The Lord will punish him for this. The Lord will  consume Assyria’s glory like a fire consumes a forest. 

The Lord will preserve a remnant in Israel, so they are not to be afraid. The Lord will end the bondage of His people. 

 Application

The Lord is not afraid to use godless people to punish His people. He used Assyria and Babylon in the Old Testament. He has used all kinds of oppression through the ages to strengthen the true church and purify it as if through fire.

The Bible makes it clear that although the Lord uses these tyrants to bring about his purposes, that does not absolve them from guilt. The king of Assyria does what he wants to because he can with no reference to God. Therefore the Lord will punish him for his sinful attitudes and actions.

Whenever the church faces persecution, we can be confident that God is using the suffering of His people to deepen their trust in Him. This does not make the persecution acceptable, and the perpetrators will face the wrath of the Lord, unless they repent.

Prayer

Lord, your ways are perfect. Thank you for the assurance that, even when people act to fulfil your purposes, you will still hold them accountable. Amen.