SHALL THE AX BOAST ITSELF?
FRIDAY 23
“Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws
with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not
wood!”
Isaiah 10:15 (NKJV)
READ: Isaiah 10:12–23
It might be all right to boast in the Lord because the Bible talks about it; this could be found in Psalm 34:2 and 44:8.
Albeit, God generally would not want a believer to be boastful. Whoever is boasting of his achievements or
accomplishments would have God to contend with. When you are boasting, you are indirectly ascribing the glory
and the honour of your success to the self.
What is being shared here is what the king of Assyria did; boastfully talking about his military prowess, and his ability to defeat other nations by his expertise (Isaiah 10:13,14).
What the king of Assyria did was described as an arrogant heart and haughty look of the king of Assyria—God as a result said He will punish him (Isaiah 10:12). Boastfulness is equal or tantamount to arrogance in God’s sight.
The illustrations used by God to describe the arrogance of the king of Assyria are:
I. Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? (Isaiah 10:15)
II. Shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? (Isaiah 10:15)
God further said—it was:
“As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up. Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!” (Isaiah 10:15)
The point being made by God is that the king of Assyria could not have been able to do anything if he was not empowered by God to do all he did. Now, the king of
Assyria does not know the God of heaven, all he thought was that his achievements were through his extraordinary ability or prowess, but he was mistaken; it was the God of heaven who empowered him to do all he did.
Any victory or success gotten in the physical, in any field of endeavour, is first of all gotten in the spiritual realm.
Life is spiritual! Whatever is not gotten in the realm of the spirit cannot be gotten in the physical realm. Whether the person knows it or not!
When success, progress, or victory is gotten in the physical realm; there already has been a victory, or go ahead, for what has happened in the spiritual realm.
The go-ahead and the victory of the king of Assyria was given by God. All he did was not by his power or military
expertise at all
God said He will punish the Assyrian king because of his arrogance (Isaiah 1:16).
You should remain small in your own eyes, when God started to use you and move in your ministry; you should
tread it softly.
If any good thing is happening in your life, know that God is the reason for the progress and the victory or success
or whatever. Nothing in life is gotten by chance, but through God’s favour—on no account should you ascribe the glory of your success to the self. Assyrian king said by the strength of his hand, and by his wisdom he has gotten the victory and all he got (Isaiah 10:13).
In other words, his achievements, or the glory of his success and victories over other nations are being ascribed to
himself, whereas, it ought to be given or ascribed to God who enabled him to perform the feats.
That was the reason why God asked the questions, using an ax and saw and rod as illustrations. If these implements
were not used by man, would they have been able to do anything? They are lifeless tools that cannot work or do
anything without a human being using them to work and accomplish purpose—tangible things.
The point being made by God is, if He was not involved, the king of Assyria would not have been able to conquer
and defeat other nations that he defeated (Isaiah 10:12–14).
Your successes and victories are powered by God. God is the One and the reason for all you have achieved—your
successes and progress.
Thus, acknowledge God and give all the glory and honour to Him, do not ascribe any of the glory to the self that you
may last.
21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them [the people of Tyre and Sidon].
22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, BECAUSE HE DID NOT GIVE GLORY TO GOD. AND HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED."
Acts 12:21–23 (NKJV)
Peace.
Reflect:
• Have you been boasting as if the power, results and open doors came from you?
• Will you give God the acknowledgment and glory due Him today for every victory or success He has given you?
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