Isaiah 10:20-23 – Be sure our trust is in God

God guaranteed Assyria’s destruction even as He promised to deal with Israel for their waywardness. And in His dealings with Israel, only a remnant would be preserved. Here in Isaiah 10:20-23, the prophet talked about Israel’s remnant that God would purify and preserve. Just as Assyria which would be devastated leaving very few survivors, Israel would also be purified till only a remnant would be left. Interestingly, years ago, God’s covenant with Abraham was that his descendants would be as numerous as the grain of sands on the seashore, but here Isaiah promised that only a small number would be graciously preserved and purified and set apart by His righteousness.

 

Verse 20 said that they whom God would preserve would no longer lean on Assyria but would return in truth to rely on the Holy One of Israel. Here we get the sense that the true people of Israel would not be marked by their link to the patriarch more than their willingness to repent and return to the Lord. The people of Israel had long prided themselves as Abraham’s children as if that relationship gave them a license to do as they wished. Here God was saying that the link with Abraham is only as great as they, like him, would be willing to obey and walk rightly before Him. God expected them to trust Him. And if they had not, they must repent and return to trust Him.   

 

The issue in our faith journey is where we place our trust. When confronted by the uncertainty of the situation, instead of trusting God, Israel placed their hope on the Assyrians. Like the people of Israel, Christians could also have misplaced trust in times of uncertainty. There is also a possibility for us to place our trust in leadership, counselors, in programs, and yes even in the name of the church we attend. Here we can see the desire of God is for a people who would place their trust in Him. Like the preserved remnant, true believers place their hope and trust in God. No matter how well run a church may be, how capable we think our leaders are, we must make God the prime object of our trust and love. Let our faith and allegiance be found completely in God. Nothing should or can replace Him!