There is a sending and a commissioning that derives from the one who is in control Utley: What irony, the covenant people are called “godless” and made morally equivalent to “godless” Assyria! “And commission it against the people of My fury” Wrath (za’am) is expressed anger, in word or deed (the verb means “to scold, hurl imprecations”).Ĭontrast between inanimate objects that have no thought process and the Sovereign God who wields these objects to accomplish His purposes It is, therefore, anger as a felt emotion. Motyer: The word translated anger is ‘ap, which means “nose” and hence hard breathing or the snort that betokens exasperations. “And the staff in whose hands is My indignation,”ĭifferent words used for anger, indignation, fury Instrument to Execute Judgment for God’s Anger (10:5-11) CONTRAST BETWEEN THE SOVEREIGN PURPOSE AND THE ASSYRIAN PURPOSE – GOD EXERCISED HIS SOVEREIGNTY IN USING WICKED ASSYRIA AS HIS TOOL OF JUDGMENT AGAINST ISRAELġ. Now the prophet turns his attention to Assyriaģ CONTRASTS FOLLOWED BY A DECREE OF JUDGMENT 10:1 had concluded a section of judgment against Israel with a proclamation of “Woe” ![]() 5 was filled with Woes against the wicked for their many injustices Ĭhap. 6 when he saw the vision of the holiness of God and his own sinfulness Ĭhap. “Woe” – is not a new word for us in this prophetic book – Isaiah had proclaimed such a Woe on himself back in Chap. Yet God is here introducing an oracle of judgment and doom against this nation that had served as the tool of His judgment 8:7 “the strong and abundant waters of the Euphrates” call them just like a flood 7:18-19 “whistle for the fly and bee” incredible vast armies of Assyria and Egypt 5:26 – earlier prophecies that God would raise up Assyria – whistle to summon them quickly ![]() Look at how God had already indicated that Assyria only acted on His command … to carry out His decree of judgment against His people: Yet both truths must be maintained without watering down either one – God is in control of even the wicked actions of wicked world rulers (even Hitler and barbaric rulers in our day) yet God holds all men morally responsible for all of their actions – Most famously, Acts 2:23 “this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” – How could God then find fault and hold these men accountable? 16:9-14 “Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him.” God had sent and commissioned Shimei to curse David just as He sent and commissioned the Assyrians. – King David on the run from Absalom, being cursed by Shimei – 2 Sam. 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” – Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers – Gen. The larger theological issue in play is the age old tension between the sovereignty of God and the moral responsibility of those agents He chose to use. Yet this was the wicked nation the Lord had chosen as His instrument of judgment against His own people Israel. Their soldiers would strap on to their feet sandals with spikes on the bottom so as they would trample over those who had fallen in battle, the blood would ooze up between their toes. They had a reputation for extreme cruelty in how they conquered other cities and how they treated their captives. Where are those kingdoms now? Assyria was such a nation. ![]() Think of the wicked nations that made world domination their driving agenda. Reminds one of King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel. I’m the king of a blueberry bush and a cat! I’m the king of a house! And, what’s more, beyond that I’m the king of a cow! And I’m the king of a mule! But the comforting thought is that God is in total control of every one of these wicked nations – from the least significant pauper to the chief rulers who might imagine that they are the king of the hill like the pompous Yertle the Turtle: ![]() How can I say that? When it comes to individuals, we know that “there is none righteous, no not one.” Every nation is just a union of wicked people. Here is some special insight for you: There are no nations that are not wicked nations in the eyes of God. There is a vast difference between the Sovereign God who is working out His purposes in history and the wicked nations He uses as tools to accomplish His purposes. THE TOOLS USED BY GOD FOR HIS SOVEREIGN PURPOSES MUST NEVER IMAGINE THAT THEY FUNCTION WITH INDEPENDENT PURPOSE AND POWER
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