NOTES for Isa 10:1-34
The prophecy about Assyria reveals the meaning of historical upheavals that occurred not only in ancient times. It helps us see the deep essence of many events in later centuries.
The great empire, devouring its neighbors and in Isaiah's days looming over Judah, had grown used to relying on its power. It considered its military successes, and not only its military successes, to be exclusively its own achievement. Its kings and commanders, in principle, could acknowledge their successes as a gift from above, but what did not fit into their consciousness was that their victories and greatness were not at all a sign of God's favor.
But the Bible gives us the right to conclude that the Lord, seeing that people desire what cannot benefit them, nevertheless allows things to happen according to their desires. To those who do not understand what is better for them, yet claim such understanding, He lets them see and experience what will happen if what they so passionately wanted comes about.
At the same time, He Himself does not allow the final destruction of erring humanity and can turn even the most monstrous situation toward good. But those who wanted evil will still have to answer for their deeds.