Isaiah 30:1-5
Isaiah spoke of Israel as God's children; see this idea from the beginning of the book (Isaiah 1:2-4), as well as other places in the bible. This woe is against those rebellious children. He is specifically speaking to Hezekiah, who failed to trust God and formed an alliance with Egypt. The Assyrians had already defeated Israel (the Northern kingdom) and were carrying the people away into exile. In seeing this happen the people of Judah, specifically Hezekiah and his counselors knew they needed help. However, they sought help from Egypt instead of the Lord. They devised their own plan to survive the onslaught of this evil nation, forgoing the plans the Lord had for them.
We can fall into this trap so easily. Our eyes perceive a threat and our mind goes to work seeking a way out. It's the work of our sin-tainted instinct. We speak of our faith and trust, but when things get difficult we begin to plot and plan our way out of the problem. We have to be specific and diligent to train our mind and heart to run to the Lord and seek His counsel. Even when we do, we often grow impatient and try to help the Lord along, all along getting in His way.
God said their trust in the Pharaoh would become their shame and humiliation. They would not find protection in their plans, only more pain and sorrow. God told them not to go to Egypt, but they went. Then he told them not to make a covenant with them and they did anyway. It's one thing not to trust in God but they are adding sin to their sin when they put their faith in someone else.
Isaiah 30:6-11
The south would be the area of the Negev. This land was characterized as harsh, dangerous and chaotic. The 'fiery flying serpent' is an interesting picture that often showed up in Egyptian art. Here, it adds to the mystery and unknown hazards of this land. Judah sent ambassadors to Egypt with gifts to buy their loyalty and support against Assyria. All their treasures would be tied to the humps of camels, but it was all in vain. Egypt would be no help because God called them Rahab-Hem-Shebeth which means 'do nothing' or 'sits idle'.
Isaiah told them to write it on the tablet so that everyone would remember what happened to these rebellious people. This record would be for future generations to learn from. These people didn't want to hear about any more visions of prophecies; they wanted to hear pleasant things. They didn't want to hear about God they wanted someone to tickle their ear with a promise that things would get better. That's what they got, an empty assurance that Egypt would bail them out.
They wanted prophets that told them smooth things. The Essenes, writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls, used this phrase to describe their opponents, "seekers of smooth things".
Isaiah 30:12-14
This attitude toward God's word and toward truth brought its own judgment on them. They passed on what was solid and trustworthy to trust in Egypt. This sin would be like a wall falling down on them. It all appeared safe and solid and worthy but in a moment it would all come apart on them. When it was broken apart, it would be broken so completely it wouldn't be recognizable.
Isaiah 30:15-17
All they needed to do was return to the Lord; find rest (trust) in Him. In the quietness and confidence of the Lord God, He will be our strength. What a great word for anyone on any given day. We get so caught up in the problems and worries of life. No matter what is on our mind or how big and out of control it seems, we know God is our strength and we can rest in Him.
The leaders of Israel chose to flee on horses to Egypt. God allowed them to make their choice. He gave them that freedom. They would live in fear running to find comfort from something else. As they ran away their enemies were just as swift. Their sin of turning from God would accumulate. They would have no salvation or strength. You can't run away from God or his divine judgments.
Isaiah 30:18
The Lord is waiting on us to wait for him. Israel ran away and God allowed that for a time. But it would all catch up with them. They couldn't run from God forever. God said He will wait on them to come back and call on Him and be willing to wait on Him.
Isaiah 30:19-22
A time would come when the people would turn back to God and He will be their heavenly Father and have mercy on them. He will answer their cry to Him. Even though God would give them the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, a time would come when His teachers would be near and they would be able to hear them and understand what the Lord desires of them. The bread and water and their daily sustenance, life; showing their life characterized by affliction and adversity.
A day would come when the teachers and prophets will speak the word of the Lord and they will abide in it. They will cast away the idols they once trusted in. They would listen for the voice and the message and be obedient to it. This is a far contrast that was shown earlier in the chapter.
Isaiah 30:23-26
In this future time when the Messiah reigns, the earth will be renewed. Nature will be restored and the crops and livestock will grow and there will be abundance from them. Even the beasts of burden, the donkey and oxen, will eat well. The rain is the water bring blessing as opposed to the water of affliction in verse 20. There will be a bread of increase rather than bread of adversity.
"In the day" is the day of the Lord; a time when all of humanity comes to understand who God is. It is the culmination of all prophecy and the answer of every prayer 'they kingdom come'. In that day all the towers will fall. There will be no other powers on the earth.
In that day the moon and sun will shine brighter. Even though they will give off greater light, it doesn't say the heat will be greater or uncomfortable. It doesn't say it will be detrimental in any way. Speaking of this change amidst the passage of the Messianic kingdom would imply this will be an incredible thing. It will be a return to the way things are supposed to be. This may make no sense to us until that day comes, when we will understand it all.
Isaiah 30:27-28
Isaiah follows this section of redemption (19-26) with prophecy specific to Assyria but also in general to the enemies of God and His people. God's anger is burning against His enemies and will pour forth like a like a flood and like a fire. The nations will be sifted with a sieve of futility. Read Psalm 2. Why do the people imagine a vain thing? Why do they shake their fist at God? This testifies to the futility of their lives. Those that don't fall through the sieve to be disposed of as waste are those that seek and serve the Lord. The nations that live in futility will have their ways established by their choices. Their will be a bridle in the jaws of their people leading them to error.
Isaiah 30:29-33
In Jerusalem there will be a song when the Lord delivers them from the hand of the Assyrians. There appeared to be sure destruction but the Lord intervened and saved them. The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard – What a great promise!! He will have His way. Many times we wait on the Lord and wonder if He will ever intervene in some circumstances. However, God's timing is perfect and all will be made right again.
Isaiah says that Assyria will be beaten down. Topheth is the lowest part of a valley that was established of old. It was a place of abomination. Judah practiced their idolatry by burning their children on the altar of Molech. The bodies of these sacrifices fell into the valley below. This was the valley of Hinnom, it later became a city dump. This place was known as Gehenna. Its fires burnt continuously and it was symbolic of hell.
©2018 Doug Ford
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