Woe to the Egyptian Alliance
Text: Isaiah 30-31
Woe to Those Who Make Plans Without God - Isaiah 30:1-5
The people of Israel are called rebellious children because they made plans without consulting God They plan to make an alliance with Egypt, thinking that the Egyptians can protect Judah from the Assyrians. All they will get from this attempt is embarrassment.
After the death of Sargon in 705 B.C., Judah decided to stop paying tribute money to Assyria. They made a treaty with the Egyptians to protect them. Unfortunately, the Egyptian army was defeated, leaving Judah with no protection.
The Beasts of the South - Isaiah 30:6-17
Judah sends rich gifts south to buy Egypt's favor. God calls Egypt "Rahab" (arrogant). Egypt's "help" is useless. God wants this written down so it can serve as a testimony against Israel for refusing to listen to God. They only wanted to hear things that made them feel good, so they told God's prophets not to talk to them. They want nothing to do with God, who is telling them how bad they are and how they will be destroyed.
However, God is not silenced. He compares Israel to a wall that is about to collapse. It is predictable, but it also gives way suddenly. The resulting destruction is compared to dropping a pottery jar -- you won't be able to find all the pieces -- and what is left isn't useful.
Israel could have been saved through repentance, quietness, and trusting God, but they were unwilling. They thought they could escape the destruction, but they would be swiftly pursued until the few who were left were easily spotted, like a flag on a mountain.
God Desires to Be Gracious and Just - Isaiah 30:18-26
God's talk about Israel's destruction is due to their sins. God longs to be gracious. He is patiently waiting to show Israel compassion. But meanwhile, God is still just. Those who long for God will be blessed.
They are suffering, but soon, they will learn their lesson. God punishes them to change people for the better. God will show Himself. They will notice God guiding them in the way they should go. They will get rid of their idols. Then God will bless them with rain and good crops and He heals them from their punishment. All of life will become more glorious.
God's Voice of Authority - Isaiah 30:27-33
God comes in His authority filled with anger. He shakes the nations and forces people to go where they don't desire (an allusion to an Assyrian practice - Isaiah 37:29). His people, Israel, will rejoice as they return to Jerusalem. God will cause Assyria to listen, and the nation will be terrified when God punishes them. Each blow against Assyria will result in jubilation as if a festival were being conducted. A funeral pyre called Topheth (a place of burning) has long been prepared for the king of Assyria, and God will light it (Jeremiah 7:31-32).
The Egyptians Can't Help You - Isaiah 31:1-3
God pronounces woe on those who seek help from Egypt because of their many war chariots and horses. However, these same people don't look to God for help. God is wise and able to bring disaster to enemies and keeps His promises. Those who do evil are punished. In contrast, the Egyptians are men, and their horses are animals. They are not like God. When God chooses, the Egyptians will fail to help, and the Egyptians and those relying on them will fall.
God Can Protect His People - Isaiah 31:4-9
God is able to protect His people like a lion protects his prey. God cannot be scared off. God will protect and rescue Jerusalem.
Thus, the people of Judah need to return to their protector. They have deeply defected from God. One day, they will abandon their idols when they see the Assyrians fall by God's sword, and the Assyrians are made into slaves. Their security will flee in panic. Their leaders will be terrified at the sight of the army coming against them.
