As Isaiah chapter ten goes on, the Lord continues to tell about the king of Assyria. The king of Assyria was supposed to be like a rod and a staff in God’s hand to bring judgment on various nations. God gave him power over those nations. But the heart of the king became lifted up and he took credit for all God gave him power to do. In Isaiah chapter ten verses thirteen and fourteen, we seem more things that the king of Assyria said, “13) For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: 14) And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.” Seven times here it is mentioned that the king boasted himself and said that he had made those conquests by his own might and hand.
When the king of Assyria made boastful statements such as those mentioned above, he was really boasting himself against God. Verse fifteen says, “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.” The king was supposed to be like a tool in God’s hands. However, instead of submitting to the Master's control, the tool magnified itself and took credit for the doing.
Because of the king’s boasting and arrogance, God would send judgment upon him. In verse sixteen we read, “Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.” The end of this proud man would be destruction, and the finish of him would be a great fall.
Truly, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) On the other hand, Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Which one will we choose today – pride or humility? destruction or life?