When I ponder the attributes of God, I conjure up an image of a gentle, fatherly figure. Words that come to mind are compassionate, loving, sovereign, trustworthy, patient, kind, merciful, creative, powerful and just. So when I read some of the Old Testament accounts, such as our passage today, I occasionally wrestle with the idea of a God who reveals anger and exacts punishment.
I've realized, however, that the Lord's responses and actions in Isaiah 10 are not in contrast to the attributes above. In fact, they are completely consistent with His nature and character. A patient God gives His people multiple chances to repent. A truly just God will not let sin go unaddressed. And a trustworthy, merciful God keeps His promises and extends hope to His people.
Miicah 7:18-20
18 mWho is a God like you, npardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
nfor the remnant of his inheritance?
oHe does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
19 He will pagain have compassion on us;
qhe will tread our iniquities underfoot.
rYou will cast all our6 sins
into the depths of the sea.
20 sYou will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
tas you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.
Isaiah's prophetic message in Chapter 10 reveals four attributes of God:
- God is Just
After giving fair warning to Judah, God used the Assyrians to punish them for their continued disobedience and rebellion. - God is Sovereign
The Assyrian king was being guided by god and allowed to be a tool and were powerless without God's enablement. - God is Powerful
Due to arrogance, destruction was inevitable for Assyria - God is Merciful
God offers a promise of hope for God's people.
The extent of God's contempt for sin exposes the depth of His merciful love.
The book of Isaiah is filled with descriptive titles for God that reveal more of His character and nature. Exploring the significance of these names sheds more light on the passage's meaning. Let's look at three of them:
- Lord GOD of hosts (Isaiah 10:16, 23, 24, 33)
"Hosts" typically refers to a military regime and, even more specifically, heaven's armies. Under God's dominion and power, all creatures, angels and human beings are at His command. Used in the context of Chapter 10, Isaiah emphasizes that no army, king or nation exists that is greater than our God. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b). - The Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 10:20)
Sin abounded among God's people, inciting His punishment. (Isaiah 10:6) Being referred to as the Holy One of Israel contrasts the righteousness of God with the wickedness of His people. It makes His protection and deliverance of Israel's remnant even more remarkable. - Mighty God (El Gibbor) (Isaiah 10:21)
This title is the same name used in Isaiah 9:6 to describe the Messiah. We're reminded of the Lord's awesome ability to liberate His people from the abuse and oppression of their enemies. It also foreshadows Jesus' offer to exchange the crushing weight of sin and the law for His yoke of freedom and rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)