The intoxication of success, etc.
The first thing of which this passage speaks, and of that it speaks very forcibly, is—
I. THE INTOXICATION OF UNHOLY SUCCESS. The tone of this Assyrian monarch was one of insolent arrogance. His military achievements had implanted in his mind the notion that he had done much greater things than he had actually accomplished, and had exerted the idea that he could achieve other things which were wholly out of his power. He magnifies his victories and over-estimates his capacity (Isaiah 37:23-25). This is the common consequence of success—even of success which is not unholy, which is not obtained regardless of the power and will of God; it is sometimes the unhappy result of success in sacred ministries; how much more so must it be, and is it found to be, the result in the case of those who "fear not God, nor regard man"! Unholy success intoxicates. It makes men imagine that they have done far greater things than they have achieved, and that they have become far greater people than they are. It often rears its head so high that, as with Sennacherib, arrogance passes into blasphemy (Isaiah 37:23) or into presumptuous impiety.
1. Shrink from all success that is not gained by righteous means and in the fear of the Lord.
2. Take earnest heed that honourable and even sacred success does not delude and corrupt the soul.
II. THE ATTITUDE OF GOD TOWARDS ARROGANT MEN.
1. Continual regard. (Isaiah 37:28.) "I know thy abode," etc. God's presence, his observant eye, is in the dwelling, is in the chamber of the guilty; it follows their steps whithersoever they go; it witnesses their actions with whatsoever cunning they may be hidden from human eyes.
2. Keen displeasure. The entire passage, particularly Isaiah 37:23, is indicative of stern disapproval. Undevout and godless men, still more impious and flagrantly wicked men, should be made to understand that, though they may be congratulating themselves, and though like-minded neighbours may be approving and even applauding them, the God in whose hand their breath is, and to whom they are accountable for everything they do, regards them with deep, Divine displeasure. His awful anger rests upon them—that righteous resentment which the Divine Ruler must feel towards those who are spoiling and. degrading the subjects of his rule.
3. The infliction of appropriate penalty. (Isaiah 37:29.) Jehovah would make the arrogant conqueror "go back by the way by which he came." God always visits those whom he has to punish with penalties suited to their sins. The haughty are humbled to the dust; those who partake of unlawful pleasure will suffer corresponding pain; they who rob others of their reputation will fall into utter disrepute; the rogue that preys on society will be impoverished, etc.
4. A Divine use of their lives and actions. (Isaiah 37:26, Isaiah 37:27.) Little as it imagined it, the Assyrian power was an instrument in Jehovah's hand. God will make sinful men's lives serve as beacons to warn others if they cannot be used in a worthier and more acceptable way.
III. THE TRIUMPH OF HOLY TRUSTFULNESS. The virgin daughter of Jerusalem had been greatly despised, but she trusted in the Divine Deliverer, and her hour of rescue and of triumph was at hand (Isaiah 37:22). The children of God may have to pass through a period of sore trial, of bitter anguish; their redemption may be long delayed; it may seem as if God's hand were shortened (Isaiah 50:2; Revelation 6:10); but the time of deliverance will certainly arrive: whether it be from distracting anxieties, or consuming doubt, or protracted pain, or weary loneliness, or cruel oppression, or the shadow of death, the days of darkness are numbered,,and the hour of triumph is drawing near.—C.