Isa 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

Isaiah condemns the corrupt rulers of Judah who are passing unjust laws and oppressing the widows and the orphans. He warns them that they won't be able to escape when the day of visitation shall come upon them (v.1-4). Assyria is God’s instrument to punish Judah and Samaria. Assyria doesn't know that it is serving God's purposes. It just wants to conquer and destroy nations. Assyria becomes proud and haughty. It says: “Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?” (v.11). It is the same confident boasting it uttered when it sent messengers to Hezekiah (2Kings 19:12). But God will destroy Assyria after it has finished its destructive work, punishing its king for his arrogant boasts (v.5-19). God asks whether an axe, a saw, or a rod, can rebel against the person who uses it: “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it?” (v.15). The answer is "No." In this verse God reproves the pride and arrogance of the Assyrian monarch. He does it by reminding him that he was the mere instrument in His hand, to accomplish His purposes. His boasting is like the bragging of an instrument, such as an axe or a saw, against the person using it. Therefore, God says He will punish Assyria when His mission is done: “Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks” (v.12). The Assyrian king boasts what great things he has done to other nations. He knows not that it is God who makes him what he is, and puts the staff into his hand. He is not alone in not knowing the one who is behind blessing him. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon likewise boasted of his might and power: “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). He was punished with madness and lived like a mad man for a while. How about us? “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith?” We must not forget that we are but tools of God to perform His pleasure! "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Revelation 4:11). Paul says we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). Children, if you think you are smart and intelligent, you owe them to your parents. First, they give you life. Next, your good genes come from them. Finally, they provide the nourishment and environment for you to excel. If there is anything to boast, it should go to your parents. Yet, all glory should go to God. David declares: “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Our talents are God’s gifts to us. One day, we will have to give account of how we are using these gifts that God has given to us (Romans 14:12). The kings of Assyria and Babylon boasted of their might and success in their conquering quests. They forgot they were only the axes in God’s hands. Today, if you are someone esteemed by the society you live in, give the glory to God. It is God who gives you the success in life. He expects you to use those gifts to serve Him (Romans 12:6-8). Are you serving the God whom you call Lord? Are you His servant?