Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Assyria shall fall by a sword"
Text: Isaiah 31:8
THE FALL OF ASSYRIA
This prophetic word was a very bold statement. It was proclaimed at a time when Assyria was the rising power in the days of Isaiah.
“‘Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man,
And a sword not of mankind shall devour him.
But he shall flee from the sword,
And his young men shall become forced labour.
He shall cross over to his stronghold for fear,
And his princes shall be afraid of the banner,’
Says the LORD,
Whose fire is in Zion
And whose furnace is in Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 31:8-9
1. The make-up of the Assyrian Empire.
a) They were originally individual city-states.
b) They combined and became Assyria.
c) They were able to thrive:
i) Economically
ii) Militarily
d) They began to conquer weaker states.
e) Assyria was one of the most formidable Middle East Empires.
2. The sword of the LORD.
a) Assyria would fall to the Babylonians.
b) The Babylonians were actually ruled by the Assyrians for more than a century.
c) How then did the Assyrians fall to the Babylonians?
d) Isaiah informs us:
i) It was not a human sword that destroyed Assyria.
ii) A sword not of mankind slew the Assyrians.
iii) This word was emphasised by Isaiah.
iv) Behind the human forces (Babylonians) was the LORD Himself.
3. The Assyrians threatened to destroy Judah.
a) This was recorded in Isaiah 36-37.
b) His arrogance was his downfall.
c) God was there to defend Judah.
d) God’s Presence like a fire would protect His people.
e) His fire was compared to a furnace.
4. Assyria’s downfall.
a) The king would flee.
b) His men would become prisoners of war.
c) They would become “forced labour”.
d) They would flee from the LORD’s banner raised in Zion.
e) They would learn to fear the LORD and His might.