Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The king of Assyria"
Text: Isaiah 8:7
THE THREAT OF THE ASSYRIANS
The Assyrians were far away from Judah. But as news of the might of the Assyrians began, a number of nations were frightened. Syria led a coalition of nations to resist the Assyrians. Judah joined this coalition.
“Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up over them
The waters of the River, strong and mighty—
The king of Assyria and all his glory;
He will go up over all his channels
And go over all his banks.
He will pass through Judah,
He will overflow and pass over,
He will reach up to the neck;
And the stretching out of his wings
Will fill the breadth of Your land, O Immanuel.”
Isaiah 8:7-8
1. Behind the Assyrians.
a) The LORD identified Himself as the One who was bringing in the Assyrians.
b) This was a sobering reality that Judah could not comprehend.
2. The growing power of the Assyrians.
a) It was described as a River.
i) It is strong.
ii) It is mighty.
iii) It has many channels.
iv) It is like a River that floods low lying regions.
b) The king of Assyria is clearly identified.
c) He will come in his “glory”:
i) In his power.
ii) In its military might.
3. Assyria will threaten the very existence of Judah.
a) Assyria was compared to a mighty River.
b) It will flood Judah up to its neck.
4. Assyria is also compared to a predator bird.
a) Its wings will stretch over the breadth of the land.
b) How would Ahaz and Judah meet this threat?
c) Would the coalition be strong enough?
5. “O Immanuel”
a) This was Isaiah’s cry to the LORD.
b) Judah’s hope was in the presence of the LORD.
c) Only His power can defeat Assyria.