Verse

Isaiah 10:12

ESV When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.
NIV When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, 'I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.
NASB So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, 'I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the arrogant pride of his eyes.'
CSB But when the Lord finishes all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, "I will punish the king of Assyria for his arrogant acts and the proud look in his eyes."
NLT After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purposes on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, he will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him — for he is proud and arrogant.
KJV Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

What does Isaiah 10:12 mean?

The kings of the Assyrians believed in their own might. They built armies into cruel and relentless machines of war. They developed strategies and executed them to wild success. They were conquering the world (Isaiah 10:8–11). According to their own thinking, this was entirely their own power and their own will coming to be.

Yet that was not true. Isaiah states that it is the Lord who is executing His own plans and strategies. The Assyrians are nothing but a destructive tool in His hands. One that He will use to bring judgment on His own people in Israel and Judah. Once the Lord has finished that work of judgment on Mount Zion, where the temple stood, and in Jerusalem, He will turn and punish the king of Assyria.

What exactly is the king of Assyria guilty of? If he is fulfilling the Lord's purpose, even without realizing it? Isaiah says that the Lord will punish the king for his arrogance and pride. God hates such arrogance and self-glorification, even among those who do not worship Him as Lord.

Very few people will ever rise to the temporary glory of the kings of Assyria. These ancient rulers inspired dread, hatred, and respect from those they ruled over. Still, the belief that our plans and our successes are our own, instead of merely being elements in the plans of the Lord are common throughout time.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: