As Isaiah chapter ten continues, God further describes the defeat of Assyria and the restoration of Israel. God had used Assyria to judge nations, including Israel; but one day God would use Israel to judge Assyria. Let us look at verses seventeen through nineteen.
“17) And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day; 18) And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth. 19) And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.” (Isaiah 10:17-19) Although God judged Israel in His wrath, a remnant of Israel would remain. They would then be used of God to judge Assyria. The judgment of Assyria would be complete – both soul and body, also property such as the fruitful field and the trees. As the king of Assyria did not have compassion on others, there would be no compassion for him.
As far as Israel was concerned, there would be only a remnant left, and they would return unto the Lord. Let us consider the next verse. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” (Isaiah 10:20) When Israel was in captivity, they had to depend upon their captors. Any sustenance they received came from their captors, cruel and unkind captors. When they would come out of captivity and return to the Lord, then they would stay upon Him. The word “stay” means to lean upon, to lie, to rely, to rest.
As mentioned previously, there would be only a remnant of Israel left, but that remnant would return unto the Lord. “21) The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 22) For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 23) For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.” (Isaiah 10:21-23)
When Israel had to stay upon their captors, there was no guarantee of provision for their needs or even of their life. Many died. However, when they would return unto the Lord, they could stay upon Him and be confident. In Psalm 34:9, the Bible assures, “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” The very next verse says, “they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” (Psalm 34:10b)
What is our choice today? Are we choosing our own way that leads to captivity by the enemy and to destruction? Are we in a captivity that causes us to lean upon our captors and wonder if we will get what we need or if we will even live to see the next day? Or, are we fearing the Lord and staying on Him? If we are not, we can return unto the Lord and be restored to fellowship and to His assurance of provision and help in all our needs – the needs of both body and soul. Upon whom will we stay today?