Isaiah 10:20

Remnant of Israel. After the prophet notes the fact that a few of the Assyrians would escape the judgment sent upon them, his mind goes out to those in Israel who would survive the Assyrian invasion. The work of destruction is seldom complete. Even in the northern nation there were a few who remained after the Assyrians had done their work, and in Judah the people of Jerusalem and a few others escaped the destruction resulting from Sennacherib’s invasion. The idea of the return, or survival, of a remnant, embodied in the name of Isaiah’s son Shear-jashub (ch. 7:3), is a thought to which the prophet constantly returns (chs. 10:21, 22; 11:11, 16; 46:3).

Shall no more. Ahaz placed his confidence in Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9; 2 Chron. 28:16-21) rather than in God. Assyria, however, was no friend of Judah, or of any other nation for that matter; she was interested only in herself. God intended that after the terrible destruction wrought by Sennacherib in Judah the “remnant” should place their confidence in Him. He it was who gave them deliverance in response to Hezekiah’s earnest prayer (Isa. 37:14-36), and in Him the faithful remnant would now place their trust. At last they recognized in Assyria a cruel master rather than a friend and helper. Reliance upon God was demonstrated as the only way to safety and victory.