Isaiah 14:24-16:14

In this passage Isaiah speaks a burden against three nations.

·        The burden against the Assyrians, 14:24-27.

o   The prediction is that God will break the Assyrian in my land.  This is what happened in the time of Hezekiah when the Assyrians came against Jerusalem (Isa. 37:36-38).

o   Notice the connection of Assyria with God’s people.  What God did to Assyria is God’s ultimate purpose over all the nations: to bring them under Israel when the Messiah rules.  No one can stand against the LORD of hosts when He stretches out His hand to deliver His people.

·        The burden against Philistia, 14:28-32.

o   This prophecy was given when King Ahaz died.  Ahaz had picked on them and they thought that things would get better now that their antagonist was gone.  But Hezekiah not go light on Philistia either.  Their judgment will be severe, leaving no remnant of the nation.

o   Notice the connection with Israel.  As judgment is pronounced on the Philistines God also assures Zion that it will be established.  Even when God is addressing the nations the prophecy concerns the apple of His eye.

·        The burden against Moab, Ch. 15-16.

o   The people of Moab were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen. 19:30-38).  They were given land by the Lord, an area east of the Jordan River (Deut. 2:9).  Ruth was a Moabite who married Boaz and is in the lineage of the Messiah. 

o   But for all this, the prophecy is that Moab would suddenly (in the night, 15:1) and quickly (in three years, 16:14) be reduced to being a despised or ridiculed nation.  The reason is her pride (16:6).  To be proud is to stand against God and thus to trust in a lie.  

We ask the question, “What is God’s standard of judgment when dealing with the nations?”  This passage reveals an answer.  God has a plan to restore Israel; any nation that opposes this opposes God.  Nations (like the Assyrians) that see themselves as God’s tool of judgment but then become proud and seek to completely destroy God’s people will be judged severely.  We believe that even today, when Israel is far from the righteous nation God desires her to be, that God still holds the nations to His word to Abraham: I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 12:3).