EPISODE THREE
ISAIAH foretell that Assyria would not be the nation to dethrone the kings of Judah and destroy Jerusalem, but that this would b done by Babylon. At the time when Assyria flooded Judah "up to the neck," Isaiah delivered the message to King Hezekiah that the Assyrian forces would not be able to enter the city. God backed up His Word by sending an angel to destroy 185,000 of the Assyrian army's mighty men and leaders, delivering Jerusalem. Although God would allow the people to go into exile to Babylon because of rebellion and revolt against Him, God would in time judge Babylon because she acted out of malice and intended to hold God's people in captivity forever.
During Isaiah's prophetic service to Judah, especially in the days of King Ahaz, the kingdom was in a deplorable moral state. It was full of revolt on the part of both princes and people, and in God's eyes the nation was full of wounds from head to foot, sick in the heart and in the head. The rulers were called "dictators of Sodom" and the people likened to "people of Gomorrah."
Isaiah spoke many times of "signs" that God would give, among them being his two sons and, Isaiah himself. God commanded him to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and against Ethiopia, signifying that they would be led captive by the king of Assyria.
The restoration prophecies glorify God's undeserved kindness and mercy toward his people, and toward all mankind. They foretell the time when Jerusalem would be elevated to a new position with God, a glory that would be seen by all nations, and she would be a blessing to all nations.
Jerusalem was indeed restored and rebuilt and was blessed by the presence of the Messiah, who "shed light upon life and incorruption through the good news."
Isaiah, in faithfully carrying out the prophetic work assigned to him by God, had a strong influence on the nation's history, particularly as a result of his counsel and guidance of King Hezekiah.
Nevertheless, as soon as Hezekiak died, the people under Manasseh returned to their wickedness until there was no healing of the nation.
Isaiah 10:17) The light of Israel will become a fire, and his HOLY ONE a flame; and it will burn and devour his (the evil power) thorns and briers in one day. 18) The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land the Lord will destroy, both SOUL and BODY, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away.
19) The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child can write them down.
20) In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean upon him that smote them, but will lean upon the Lord, the HOLY ONE of Israel IN TRUTH.
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