responsible agent in his own right. Isaiah helps us to understand this a little by suggesting an illustration: Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came. (Isa. 37:29) The Assyrian king was like a powerful horse with enormous energy and drive, but the Lord was the rider determining where and to what extent that power could be used. In this way the Bible