The Lord’s mercy is for the remnant’s sake (10:20–23). Jerusalem was besieged in 701 BC, and the country was desolated. Yet after the siege was lifted, even this remnant did not return to the Lord. Therefore, destruction has been decreed and will ultimately bring down both Judah and Jerusalem. Through the ministry of the prophets, a true remnant is sensitized. They will return and rely on the Lord. The expectation of repentance and restoration is symbolized in Isaiah’s son Shear-Jashub (“a remnant will return,” 7:3).

The Lord, who dealt graciously with his people in Egypt and rescued them from the Midianites in the days of the judges, w…