Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.
Haven't you heard what I did long ago? Haven't you learned about the plans I made in ancient times? Now I have made it happen - I have allowed you to destroy fortified cities and turn them into piles of ruins.
God is reminding someone that He has been working out His plans since ancient times, and even destructive events happen under His control.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of God's message to the Assyrian king Sennacherib through the prophet Isaiah around 701 BC. The Assyrians had been conquering and destroying cities throughout the region, but God is telling Sennacherib that even his military victories were part of God's ancient plan. This comes during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem when King Hezekiah sought God's help.
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