Isaiah 10

God's judgments against oppressive rulers, Isaiah 10:1-4 . The prophet foretells the invasion of Sennacherib, and the destruction of his army. That mighty monarch is represented as a rod in the hand of God to correct his people for their sins; and his ambitious purposes, contrary to his own intentions, are made subservient to the great desires of Providence, Isaiah 10:5-11 . Having accomplished this work, the Almighty takes account of his impious vauntings, Isaiah 10:12-14 ; and threatens utter destruction to the small and great of his army, represented by the thorns, and the glory of the forest, Isaiah 10:15-19 . This leads the prophet to comfort his countrymen with the promise of the signal interposition of God in their favor, Isaiah 10:24-27 . Brief description of the march of Sennacherib towards Jerusalem, and of the alarm and terror which he spread every where as he hastened forward, Isaiah 10:28-32 . The spirit and rapidity of the description is admirably suited to the subject. The affrighted people are seen fleeing, and the eager invader pursuing; the cries of one city are heard by those of another; and groan swiftly succeeds to groan, till at length the rod is lifted over the last citadel. In this critical situation, however, the promise of a Divine interposition is seasonably renewed. The scene instantly changes; the uplifted arm of this mighty conqueror is at once arrested and laid low by the hand of heaven; the forest of Lebanon, (a figure by which the immense Assyrian host is elegantly pointed out, is hewn down by the axe of the Divine vengeance; and the mind is equally pleased with the equity of the judgment, and the beauty and majesty of the description, Isaiah 10:33 , Isaiah 10:34 .