Onchan Baptist Church 27 March 2024.
Isaiah 30:1-18.
In looking at a passage of Scripture we must always look at the context, the grammatical and the historical contexts. Isaiah had a long ministry looking at v2 we note the central theme in this chapter is about asking for help from Egypt. In 2 Kings 18:21 we read that this occurred in the time of King Hezekiah, when Senecarab was king of Assyria. We see from 2 Kings that Hezekiah was a good king. He acted against idolatry and wanted to be free from Assyria. However, perhaps he was not the leader of the United nation. It is one thing for the king to lead against idolatry, but quite another for the people to follow. Hezekiah is not mentioned in Isa 30. We do not know why, but it possibly is because he was generally good, but the councillors and Princes and even the people wanted to go a different direction and they did, so they are the ones who are blamed in this chapter.
1. Woe to the rebellious children. This should be a contradiction in terms. The nation had been adopted by God Jer 31:9 “I am become a Father to Israel,” Rm 9:4 “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption,” and so graciously blessed so many ways. Of all people they should have had respect for God. Dt 21:18-21 18”If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place.” These words are very solemn but also help explain the severity of the judgement which came upon the nation. Taking counsel is only good if it is from a good source. Judah saw there was a desperate problem, they wanted deliverance but they refused to seek guidance from the Lord. They added sin to sin. That is the path of progression for sin, Sin multiplies. We see it in our society and in the broad church today. We must be loving and accepting, but there is then no limit to what we must approve. The way seems right to man, but it is "not of my spirit," and so, Prov 14:12, “the end thereof are the ways of death.”
2. That walk to go down into Egypt. Egypt is the land were Abraham lied about his wife, the land where the children of Israel were in bondage and cried out for deliverance. The land that they were delivered from miraculously. The land they were warned, Dt 17:16, not to return to. But they would follow Ahaz in his rejection of the Lord and in trusting in alliances even though his actions had been a disaster. See 2 Kings 16:7-9 and Isa 7
3. Looking to Egypt the strength of Pharaoh gave them hope for deliverance, but they were trusting a shadow, it would all be to their shame and confusion.
4. The exact meaning here is unclear, but it seams to mean that Hezekiah's representatives from Judah travelled to these places in Egypt to negotiate terms. Some suggest that Isaiah said this to show he knew what had been done. Princes and ambassadors seem important, however, remember Ps 127:1 “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
5. Isaiah speaks disparagingly of the results. Great journeys and careful negotiations which had no hope of actual profit, only shame and reproach. Worse than a waste of time.
6. The journey had been difficult and dangerous. It was the reverse of the Exodus. E.J. Young describes this as, "one of the saddest parts of Scripture." The wilderness was a terrible place. Dt 8:15. “that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water” They went but without the Lord's protection, returning to the place of bondage. When they left Egypt they were given great wealth, now they voluntarily give wealth to Egypt, to people who will not profit them.
7. We are not told why Egypt did not help. They seem to have been quick with words, but of little action. Either they were unwilling or unable. "Their strength is to sit still." The word here is Rahab, note that this is not the same Hebrew word as in Jos 2, this is a reference to Egypt's perceived power, we see this in Isa 51:9, "was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, and pierced that monster through." Egypt was seen as a powerful creature, a monster, it had been cut down at the Exodus after showing the powerlessness of the Egyptian gods with the plagues and would prove to be of no help. Judah was trusting in this monster, but, its name should really be literally "sit still," or do-nothing.
8. Isaiah is commanded to record their rebellion and what God has said. There is to be a placard, or a table of stone displayed, for all to see. Likely this was just a title or summary emphasising the uselessness of seeking help from Egypt. Isaiah was also to write the details on a parchment. The Lord will have his truth witnessed to. Salvation is Zach 4:6 “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty." This is a lesson Judah was refusing to learn, but the memorial would be there to remind them afterwards.
9. They are a rebellious people, lying children. The whole drift of their desires is against God's law. 1 Cor 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” They had so much, so many blessings of revelation, but they rejected it all.
10. Which say to the seers. The word prophet is not used here, the emphasis is on those who receive revelation from God. Isaiah is putting words to their actions, highlighting that they reject all God's revelation, they don't want to hear that which is good and right. But nor do they want the prophet to be silent. They want smooth words, encouraging words, which will confirm them in their own desires. 2 Tim 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
11. The prophet of the Lord has a path to walk, a path of consistency and obedience. However, the people want him to go a different way. To stop talking about the holy one of Israel. They don't want to be reminded of the holiness of God, reminding them of their guilt. It is the same today. Holiness is despised as cruel oppression and intolerance. ‘Speak love’ we are told, but not love of righteousness, holiness and goodness.
12. Isaiah is very bold and clear in his message, he brings them the word of the Holy One of Israel with out dilution. He doesn't make it smooth, but tells them straight. "Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness." This is the direct alternative. Either trust the word of God, or you are trusting that which oppresses and is perverse. They are pointed back to the oppression of Egypt in contrast to the deliverance the Lord had given them. We must remember that only in Christ is their freedom from the perverseness and bondage of sin. Gal 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
13. Isaiah brings a graphic picture before them. A strong wall will have a break developing in it. This will grow until suddenly the wall collapses. It is possible to ignore the signs that the breach is developing, and to live life as if nothing is wrong. However, the day will come when suddenly it collapses. It is then too late to fix the wall and prevent disaster. Sin, like leaven spreads. Gal 5:9
14. The second illustration is a potter's vessel, shattered so mercilessly. The pieces are so small as to be useless for anything, they are hoping in Egypt's, a wall which will collapse, a potter's vessel broken into smithereens. Utterly useless to them.
15. But there is an alternative. "For thus saith the Lord." Even amidst their rebellion the prophet continues to bring the message, the word of God, to the people. The way of salvation is found in looking to the holy one of Israel. They have turned aside from being holy, separated from the world onto the Lord, to serve the Lord, but he has not changed. He is holy, he is the Holy One of Israel. "In returning and rest shall ye be saved." Turn from Egypt, return to the Lord and then rest, trust in him." Throughout Scripture the call is to repent and believe. This is the very message which Jesus began his public ministry with Mk 1:15 “repent ye, and believe the gospel.” "and ye would not." That was always the problem. They were unbelieving and rebellious. They knew better so would not be saved.
16. "No, for we will flee upon horses." They thought that multiplying military might could deliver them. They were ignoring Dt 17:16 “But he [the king] shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt” They thought the swift horses would deliver. They would get swiftness, but it would be a swift enemy victory.
17. The words of this verse are such a contrast to the promise and victory of earlier days. God had said Lev 26:7-8 “And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.” This was the experience at Jericho and of Gideon. However, Dt 32:30 “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?” They had forgotten the lesson of Ai, when in pride they had been defeated. They were now the ones who would be terrified before the enemy. "Till you be left as a beacon on the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill." A remnant would be left, a faithful remnant. Christ said Mt 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
18. This verse transitions from the judgements and wrongs of the first half of the chapter. Notice the patience of the Lord. He will wait, he will be gracious, he will be exalted. "For the Lord is a God of judgement." The principle here is that God works out his purpose. He is true to his character, to his law and his mercy. We see this fulfilled in the cross of Christ.
Let us remember Mat 16:18 “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
