Context No. 3501 of 4322 · Isaiah

Isaiah 10:20-27: in context

20It will come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and those who have escaped from the house of Jacob will no more again lean on him who struck them, but shall lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21A remnant will return, even the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. 22For though your people, Israel, are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. 23For the Lord, GOD of Armies, will make a full end, and that determined, throughout all the earth. 24Therefore the Lord, GOD of Armies, says, “My people who dwell in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, as Egypt did. 25For yet a very little while, and the indignation against you will be accomplished, and my anger will be directed to his destruction.” 26The LORD of Armies will stir up a scourge against him, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. His rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up like he did against Egypt. 27It will happen in that day that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

After warning of Assyria's coming as God's rod of judgment, Isaiah turns to comfort the remnant. A day is coming, he says, when the survivors will no longer lean on the very power that struck them, no longer seek their help from human alliances, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. Judgment itself would teach them where their true reliance belonged.

And to those trembling before the Assyrian, God speaks tenderly: do not be afraid; his rod is real, but for only a very little while, and then the yoke will be broken from your neck. The oppression that feels endless has an appointed end. God's people are not to fear the powers that afflict them as though those powers were the last word. God sets a firm limit to the oppressor, and in his own time he will lift the burden from the shoulder. Lean on the LORD, not on the arm that wounded you, and do not fear, for the yoke will surely be broken.

Am I leaning on the LORD in truth rather than on the very things that have failed or wounded me, and do I trust that he sets a limit to every oppression and will lift the burden in his time?

Sources

Isaiah 10:20: "The remnant of Israel... will no more again lean on him who struck them, but shall lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth."
Isaiah 10:24: "My people who dwell in Zion, don't be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod."
Isaiah 10:27: "His burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck."