8 Then shall the Assyrian ['Ashshuwr] fall [naphal] with the sword [chereb], not of a mighty man ['iysh]; and the sword [chereb], not of a mean man ['adam], shall devour ['akal] him: but he shall flee [nuwc] from [paniym] the sword [chereb], and his young men [bachuwr] shall be discomfited [mac]. KJV-Interlinear
8 “And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man; and a sword, not of man, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor. ESV
The book of Isaiah is one of the more difficult books to read and understand, simply because people do not pursue a study of the book. Once you pursue a study, then you will quickly learn that this is one of the easiest books to understand, just as the entire Bible is clear and easy to understand, when you engage in a systematic and daily study.
These last two verses, demonstrate the helplessness of man, and the hopelessness of any position that man takes on his own, in this world.
The nation of Israel, both the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom, had turned away from God. The nation as a whole, had abandoned the principles and mandates that were taught in the original Scriptures, and had set out on their own version of the spiritual life, which was completely opposite of that which was mandated by God.
As judgment, God raised up the Assyrian Empire. And evil empire to be sure, however, God often allows the raising up of evil, to confront evil. But sooner or later, that second evil will itself be destroyed, because of its own abuse, failing to see its purpose.
This verse describes the direct intervention of God, in the destruction of Assyria.
It was allowed to advance against Israel, in order to punish Israel. However, as nations go, they fail to see the reality of their purpose in this world and in life, and they themselves failed to turn to God through Christ, which in effect leaves them open to God’s judgment, for their failure.
The phrase, fall by the sword, is typically used to describe a complete destruction.
Not of a mighty man, refers to brilliant tacticians and strategists and military generals.
Not of a mean man, refers to the common soldier.
In other words the defeat of Assyria will not come at the hands of man, but through the direct intervention of God.
Wars and invasions initiated by man, take months and years, to run their course.
However, when God judges, that active judgment comes quickly. The destruction of the Sennacherib army in a single night, sets the precedent for the destruction of all armies worldwide, who will be set against Jerusalem at the end of human history.
And those armies will flee in panic and complete disorganization.
The word for discomfited, describes the attitude of complete fear and terror, and loss of courage.
As those enemy armies are systematically destroyed, so to all of their arrogance and aggressiveness will be taken from them. The word for discomfited, describes the state of nothing being left after taxes and tribute have sapped the wealth and resources of property, leaving it virtually bankrupt.
And so too, the enemies of God, will flee to their own destruction, leaving nothing, when it is all said and done.
These studies are a part of the massive daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org, and are written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so already, and therefore not be lost forever.
And if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a phenomenal eternal reward which you will have forever.
To ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete, unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to complete yourself beyond your imagination.
But you have to decide to make that commitment. No one else can study for you. You have to do that yourself.
