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13 For he
saith, ['amar] By the strength [koach] of
my hand [yad] I have done [`asah] it, and by my wisdom; [chokmah] for I am prudent: [biyn]
and I have removed [cuwr] the bounds [gabuwlah] of the people, [`am] and
have robbed [shacah] their treasures [`athuwd], [`athiyd] and I have put
down [yarad] the inhabitants [yashab] like a valiant ['abbiyr][kabbiyr] man: KJV-Interlinear
13 For he
has said, "By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, For I have
understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples, And plundered their
treasures, And like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants, NASB
These words are prophetic and refer to events that will occur in the future relative from their writing.
Isaiah uses the imagery of historical rhetoric to describe the attitude and words or the kings of Assyria, to describe their attitude and self-justification for what they have done, after they have done it.
Assyria saw no wrong in their actions against invaded countries.
Assyria saw no wrong in the taking or looting of those countries.
Assyria saw no wrong in the defeat and destruction of strong kings or bulls as it were, elevating itself higher and stronger and tougher than those it defeated.
Assyria was racing across the Middle East with no clear reason, except for their lust of territory and glory and such. Their invasion plans were evil at best.
When World War 2 broke out, evil was raging across Europe and the Pacific. That had to be stopped lest the world would come under the control of tyranny and result in even more horrendous crimes.
That was a calling of righteousness to stop and to defeat evil and to restore freedom and liberty. And whether anyone recognized it as Gods calling or not, is irrelevant, the fact remained that evil had to be stopped or far worse would happen to the world.
North Korea was an evil that had to be stopped. North Vietnam was an evil that had to be stopped. Iraq was an evil that had to be stopped.
And when people look at these incidents and try to justify their existence, try to vilify anything that opposes these evils, then it becomes clear that spiritual truth and the understanding of truth is lacking in a society. Authority is disrespected, loyalty is insulted, patriotism is ridiculed, and the need to do the right thing is opposed.
Opposition to truth brings trouble and eventually disaster.
Opposition to truth brings compromise to principles of truth and allows degenerative norms and standards into society, that too, lead to eventual self-destruction. Establishment principles are diluted and problems of varying types enter into society.
There are five cycles of national destruction, Lev. 26.
First, negative volition toward truth, apathy.
Second, family disintegration.
Third, degeneracy of social morals and standards.
Fourth, economic distress.
Fifth, severe judgment or destruction of the nation.
Note that all problems begin with a disinterest in truth. And from there, all goes downhill. The big problem is that most folks who become apathetic toward truth, do not see themselves as anti-truth, but rather see themselves as reasonable with no self-serving agenda. They just want to be free, as they define free, to make their own decisions without regard to the repercussions of their choices.
They see God as restricting their choices, never convinced that their choices are detrimental and not really freedoms at all. They pursue idealisms that are not truth but really detachments from reality.
And so standards are defined for everyone, freedoms become restricted.
Rules are made for everyone, liberties are controlled.
Equalities are dangled before everyone, privacy and ability and achievement are ignored.
And in all of this and more, the social structure of society deteriorates.
And as a nation declines, another nation, becomes the predator and takes advantage of the weak.
Israel declined and Assyria took advantage in a selfish and evil way, and saw no wrong in their actions.
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