A Boastful Axe? (Isaiah 10:15)

 


Saturday, December 14, 2024


Psalms 108; 109:20-30

Isaiah 10:12-32

Mark 8:27-9:1


Observance: John of the Cross, mystic and teacher (d. 1591)


A Boastful Axe? (Isaiah 10:15)


As we come to the end of our second week in Advent, we should recap what we have covered. In the first week, we learned that, in order to live virtuously, we should look to the Lord’s instructions (and his alone). Now in this second week, we have learned the importance of trusting those instructions: they are right and true, and even if sometimes they don’t seem like the wisest option, the Lord will vindicate our decision. Concluding this week, we read Isaiah’s prophecy over the Assyrians.


For context, Isaiah is talking about how the Assyrians (a foreign empire) will come and make life very miserable for the people of Israel and Judah. Throughout all this section of prophecy, Isaiah is sure to emphasise the fact that they are under God’s control; all their rampaging will be because God has ordained it so. In today’s passage, we see how the Assyrians will later get their comeuppance: not because they were the instrument of God’s justice, but because they let it get to their head. God will allow them to defeat Israel and Judah, and they will think to themselves “by the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding”. Yet this is a false, prideful, and ultimately destructive approach. They are only tools in the hand of God; shall the axe boast over him who hews with it? As if a staff should lift him who is not wood?!


If we are to live virtuously according to our Lord’s commands and in full trust that he will vindicate us for doing so, we absolutely cannot let it get to our head. This cuts right to the core of our salvation. St Paul quotes our portion of Isaiah in the ninth chapter of his letter to the Romans (Romans 9:27-28), where he speaks about how all things happen because of God’s design. We are but clay in the hands of the Potter, and if you find a problem with God’s sovereignty, then this is his response: “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy?” (Rom 9:20, 22-23) Live virtuously, and live humbly. It is by God’s grace alone that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone, according to scripture alone – all to the glory of God alone.


Take a moment to reflect on why you want to live virtuously. Is it because you want to seem like a “good person”? Or is it so for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ?


Jesus, you formed me out of the dust by the power of your word, and by that same power you give me grace to live according to your desires. Keep me humble so that all glory returns to you.


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