1. The wise God often makes even the sinful passions and projects of men subservient to His own great and holy purposes.
2. When God makes use of men as instruments in His hands to do His work, it is very common for Him to mean one thing, and them to mean another; nay, for them to mean quite contrary to what He intends Gen_50:20; Mic_4:11-12). Men have their ends, and God His; but we are sure “the counsel of the Lord that shall stand.” (M. Henry.)
God’s use of evil men
As in applying of leeches the physician seeketh the health of his patient, the leech only the filling of his gorge, so is it when God turneth loose a bloody enemy upon His people; He hath excellent ends, which they think not on. (J. Trapp.)
It is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few
Assyrian conquests
The significance of Isa_10:9 appears when the dates of the events alluded to are considered . . . The application to Jerusalem is obvious . . . It is true the conquests alluded to in Isa_10:9-11 are not those of Sennacherib, and Isa_10:13, etc., would be in his mouth an exaggeration; and hence the prophecy has been referred by some to the period of Sargon. But the subject in Isa_10:7-11 is “Assyria” (see Isa_10:5), and though Isaiah may have regarded the king (verse 12) as being here the speaker, yet verses 5, etc., show that he speaks, not with reference to his personal achievements, but as an impersonation of the policy of his nation. And this policy Sennacherib in 701 was truly maintaining. The language of these verses does not, therefore, in reality militate against a date which in other respects is in entire accordance with the contents of the prophecy. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)
Foolish ambition
Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, having enlarged his dominions by the conquest of Macedonia, was bent upon subduing Italy, and adding it to his empire. Asking the advice of his counsellor Cineas, he inquired of the prince what he meant to do after he conquered Italy? “Next,” said he, “I mean to invade Sicily, which is a rich and powerful country and not far off.” “When you have got Sicily,” said Cineas, “what then?” “Africa,” replied the king, “containing many fine kingdoms, is at no great distance, and through my renown and the valour of my troops, I may subdue them.” “Be it so,” said the counsellor, “when you have vanquished the kingdoms of Africa, what will you do then!” Pyrrhus answered, “Then you and I will be merry to make you and me merry: had you all the world you could not be more merry, nor have better cheer.” (R. Macculloch.)
