Isaiah 1:20

But if ye refuse, ye shall be devoured with the sword -Your enemies shall come in, and lay waste the land. This prediction was fulfilled, in consequence of their continuing to rebel, when the land was desolated by Nebuchadnezzar, and the nation was carried captive to Babylon. It illustrates a general principle of the divine government, that if people persevere in rebelling against God, they shall be destroyed. The word devour is applied to the sword, as if it were insatiable for destruction. Whatever destroys may be figuratively said to devour; see the notes atIsaiah 34:5-6; compareIsaiah 5:24;Lamentations 2:3;Ezekiel 15:4;Joel 2:3;Revelation 11:5- where fire is said to devour.