Fill in the blank from Isaiah 10:13: "Or as if a _______ could lift up, as if it were not ________!"

The correct completion of the verse from Isaiah 10:13 is "axe" and "wood," which emphasizes the foundational message about human pride and arrogance in the face of divine authority. In this verse, the imagery of an axe lifting itself up as if it has its own power serves as a powerful metaphor for the folly of assuming that human instruments of power, like the Assyrian empire, can act independently and be a force for good without recognizing that they are ultimately just tools in God's purpose.

This verse criticizes the Assyrians for their misguided belief that their might and success were achieved solely by their own strength, disregarding the fact that God was permitting them to act for His purposes. By using "axe" and "wood," the passage underscores the significant contrast between the lifelessness of the axe and the active, sovereign power of God, who rightfully directs the course of events.

Other options do not match the original phrasing or convey the same profound message about the relationship between human agency and divine sovereignty found in this scripture.