Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 11

Verses 1-16

JUDGMENT ON ASSYRIA

The verses intervening since the last lesson apply to Israel, and are comparatively unimportant; but at Isaiah 10:5 a discourse begins concerning Assyria, running continuously to the close of chapter twelve. Assyria, an ally of Judah, is to become her enemy, but the chastisement she is to inflict on Judah is in the divine purpose, up to a certain point (Isaiah 10:5-6 ).

Assyria’s motive is not the divine glory, however, but her own aggrandizement, which leads her to go further in afflicting Judah than God intends. She cares nothing for Jehovah, and esteems the God of Jerusalem no greater than the idols of the surrounding nations which she has overcome (Isaiah 10:7-11 ). Therefore, her day of retribution is coming (Isaiah 10:12-19 ).

But the day of her retribution is that of Israel’s deliverance and triumph (Isaiah 10:20-34 ). “Israel” is used interchangeably with Judah when the history of that people at the end of the age is in mind. And that such is the case here is evident because Israel is found trusting no longer in any Gentile nation, but in Jehovah himself (Isaiah 10:20 ). Also the saved remnant is spoken of (Isaiah 10:20-21 ). Comforting language is used (Isaiah 10:24-25 ). Israel’s enemy shall be miraculously overcome, as were the Midianites under the Gideon (Isaiah 10:26-27 ). Thus we have another illustration of the law of double reference, and two events wide apart in time are spoken of as though continuous.

As strengthening the thought that the end of the age is referred to, we find the second coming of Christ indicated and blended with His first coming (Isaiah 11:1-5 ; compare v. Isaiah 11:4 with 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ). A description of millennial conditions follows (Isaiah 11:6-9 ). The Gentiles are seen fellowshipping Israel (Isaiah 11:10 ), while the latter are being gathered “from the four corners of the earth,” the ten tribes and the two once more united in a single kingdom (Isaiah 11:11-13 ). The section closes with a song of rejoicing which will be heard in Jerusalem in that day, as recorded in chapter twelve.

QUESTIONS

1. To which kingdom does the last part of chapter 9 seem to refer?

2. When is the name “Israel” used interchangeably with “Judah”?

3. Give four reasons for believing verses 20-24 refer to the end of the age.

4. Quote 2 Thessalonians 2:8 .

5. To what period did verses 6-9 refer?

6. When will the song of rejoicing (chap. 12) be sung in Judah?