p. 4 | Why Assyria Succeeded

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1905

Why Assyria Succeeded

VARIOUS reasons have been assigned for the success of Japan in the recent war with Russia. Due credit has been given to the simple dietary of the Japanese, and the high standard of their morality, as indicated by some of their maxims, has been favorably mentioned. And yet wise men have been surprised and astonished at the series of unbroken victories gained by this new world power over one of the great nations of to-day.

We are confident that the true reason for this remarkable bit of modern history is found in Daniel’s announcement to Nebuchadnezzar that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” There is a God in heaven who directs in the affairs of men, and he uses even heathen nations as the instruments with which to accomplish his will.

Some inquiring people of the olden time might have asked why Assyria succeeded in a certain campaign against Jerusalem, and the prophet Isaiah states the reason clearly: “Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation! I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.” The success of Assyria did not demonstrate that it was a model nation, neither did it prove that the Assyrians were a religious people. On the contrary, the Lord said through the prophet: “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.” Assyria was an instrument in God’s hand to accomplish his own purpose. So is Japan. This is the reason for Japan’s success.