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A Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah 10:20–34 describes a remnant of Israel returning to God, the Lord’s word not to fear the Assyrian, and the Lord cutting down the tall and lofty. The passage moves from trust, to warning, to the Lord’s decisive action.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage speaks about the remnant of Israel and the house of Jacob, people in Zion facing the Assyrian, and the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, acting in judgement and deliverance. It ends with strong picture language of boughs, thickets, and Lebanon falling before the Mighty One.
Isaiah 10:20–34Main takeaway
This passage teaches that a remnant returns to the mighty God, Zion is told not to fear the Assyrian, and the Lord cuts down the tall and brings the lofty low.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A remnant returns and leans on YahwehThe opening verses describe “the remnant of Israel” and “those who have escaped from the house of Jacob”.
Explanation
The opening verses describe “the remnant of Israel” and “those who have escaped from the house of Jacob”. Their change is clear in the text. They will no longer lean on the one who struck them. Instead, they will lean on Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant is also described as returning to the mighty God.
02Only a remnant returnsThe passage then sets a contrast. Israel is like the sand of the sea, yet only a remnant will return.
Explanation
The passage then sets a contrast. Israel is like the sand of the sea, yet only a remnant will return. It also says a destruction is determined, “overflowing with righteousness”. The Lord, Yahweh of Armies, will make a full end, and that determined, throughout all the earth. The text keeps both return and judgement together.
03Zion is told not to fear the AssyrianThe Lord speaks directly to “My people who dwell in Zion” and tells them not to be afraid of the Assyrian, even though he strikes with rod and staff.
Explanation
The Lord speaks directly to “My people who dwell in Zion” and tells them not to be afraid of the Assyrian, even though he strikes with rod and staff. This trouble is limited, because the indignation against Zion will be accomplished and God’s anger directed to the Assyrian’s destruction. Comparisons to Midian and Egypt show the pattern of the Lord acting against oppression.
04The advancing “he” reaches toward Zion, but the Lord cuts down the loftyVerses 28–32 list places one after another as the advancing “he” moves on, and the scene includes trembling, crying out, and fleeing.
Explanation
Verses 28–32 list places one after another as the advancing “he” moves on, and the scene includes trembling, crying out, and fleeing. Isaiah 10:24 has already named the Assyrian, and Isaiah 10:32 shows his hand shaken at Zion and Jerusalem. Yet the final word belongs to the Lord, who cuts down the tall, brings the lofty low, and fells the forest.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What changes about the remnant’s dependence in verses 20–21?
Notice the contrast between leaning on the one who struck them and leaning on Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
02How does Isaiah 10:22 describe both Israel’s great number and the smaller group that returns?
Look at the comparison to the sand of the sea and the repeated line that only a remnant will return.
03How does the passage answer the approach of the Assyrian toward Zion and Jerusalem?
Trace the movement from the named Assyrian and the advancing “he” to the Lord cutting down the tall and bringing the lofty low.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 10:20–34
20It will come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and those who have escaped from the house of Jacob will no more again lean on him who struck them, but shall lean on Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21A remnant will return, even the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
22For though your people, Israel, are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.
23For the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, will make a full end, and that determined, throughout all the earth.
24Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, says, “My people who dwell in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, as Egypt did.
25For yet a very little while, and the indignation against you will be accomplished, and my anger will be directed to his destruction.”
26Yahweh of Armies will stir up a scourge against him, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. His rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up like he did against Egypt.
27It will happen in that day that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil.
28He has come to Aiath. He has passed through Migron. At Michmash he stores his baggage.
29They have gone over the pass. They have taken up their lodging at Geba. Ramah trembles. Gibeah of Saul has fled.
30Cry aloud with your voice, daughter of Gallim! Listen, Laishah! You poor Anathoth!
31Madmenah is a fugitive. The inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.
32This very day he will halt at Nob. He shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33Behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, will lop the boughs with terror. The tall will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low.
34He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.