In this next passage of Scripture, we see the judgment that is to come upon the kingdom of Israel, particularly Ephraim and Samaria because of what they had done to Judah and Jerusalem. Remember that God had promised King Ahaz that Ephraim, Samaria, and their leader Rezin would not prevail against them. God would raise up enemies to Judah’s enemies. Ephraim, Samaria, and Rezin had built up so much confidence in themselves that they thought they could beat their enemies. But they did not consider that they were really fighting against God. God would bring enemies upon them that they could not defeat.
Pride and stoutness of heart were the downfall of Ephraim, Samaria, and their leader Rezin. They trusted in their own strength and valor instead of humbling themselves before God. Isaiah 9:9,10 give us a look at their hearts, “9) And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, 10) The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.” Even when all the odds seemed stacked against them, they thought they could work their way out of trouble by reason, strength, and courage.
What did God say would happen to these enemies of Judah and Jerusalem? Let us see in the next two verses, “11) Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; 12) The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 9:11,12) As mentioned above, Israel here is talking about the kingdom of Israel, which, at that time, was going against Judah and Jerusalem. The judgment mentioned in these verses was quite severe, but it did not end there. God would bring even more judgment because they did not humble themselves and repent. “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.” (verse 13)
Who would be destroyed in the judgment God was bringing upon the kingdom of Israel? Verses fourteen and fifteen tell us, “14) Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. 15) The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.”
Why would God bring such judgment upon these people? Besides the fact that they were proud and unrepentant, God had one more indictment against them. Their own leaders – even the elders and the prophets (spiritual leaders) – taught the people to err and led them to paths that would destroy them, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” (verse 16)
Does this sound anything like America today? Are we proud and stout of heart? Do we think we can take care of ourselves, no matter what the challenge? Have we hardened our hearts against God? Do we refuse to humble ourselves and seek to the One who is smiting us and repent? Do we have leaders – even our elderly and spiritual leaders – that are teaching this people to err and leading them in paths of destruction? We do not have to continue down this path. We do not have to harden our hearts against God. We do not have to carry on until we reach destruction.
Jesus said, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) What will our choice be today? Will we humble ourselves and see God’s hand of wrath turned away? Or will we trust in our own strength and courage, continue to listen to wrong counsel, and choose the path of destruction? Will we choose the way of life, or the way of destruction?