Ah, you destroyer,
who yourself have not been destroyed,
you traitor,
whom none has betrayed!
When you have ceased to destroy,
you will be destroyed;
and when you have finished betraying,
they will betray you.
There is a war in Ukraine, a nation roughly 1/28th the size of Russia, where Russia is the aggressor. It would seem easy to apply these verses to this most recent war. According to Isaiah, it is right to do so. He does not specify the aggressor nation, which allows us to fill in the blank. It is basically any aggressor nation that is open for the judgment of God. In this case, Isaiah was most likely talking about Assyria, the aggressor against the Northern Tribes in 722 BC. It would also apply to Babylon and Rome, both of whose regimes fell. When that happens, it is every man for himself. National loyalty is over.
This is not to say that Russia will lose this war. We do not know God’s will. What we do know is that the destroyer will be destroyed. This is a comfort to those of us who feel besieged by the destroyer due to illness and hardship. Like Russia possibly, you may feel that this destroyer is going to win this war. It will certainly win some battles but the war is over and the King of Creation, Jesus Christ has already won. He just has not yet ridden into the city triumphantly. J.K. Rowling wrote in her book this tombstone for Harry Potter’s parents. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” This war is over. Jesus has won. The destroyer will be destroyed. Today, live your life as if you are in…
The victorious army.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church