Admonition Against The Alliance
June 17, 2021
Commentary
With the threat of the Assyrians under Sennacherib on their doorstep. Judah sought help through an alliance with Egypt, a waning power, instead of trusting the Lord (v. 1). They are determined to go down into Egypt and seek an alliance with the Egyptians to secure themselves against the possibility of an Assyrian invasion. God simply reminds them that they are willing to take counsel from everyone but Him.
The fourth “woe” is pronounced on Judah for their rebellion against the Lord. Even after all that God has done for His people they have turned away from Him and sought help from Egypt (vv. 2-3). We find it easy to jump ahead of the Lord, to get our plans in order and our projects in motion before we ask Him for His counsel. The Jews even sent a delegation to two Egyptian cities, near the Israelite border, Joan and Hanes, to talk about an alliance with Egypt’s officials (vv. 4-5). However, Isaiah tells them that their talks are doomed to fail. To look to a crumbling empire for help was useless and could only result in disgrace. The delegation from Judah took expensive gifts on the backs of donkeys and camels (vv. 6-7). They were so desperate for help that they were willing to go through all kinds of hardships and to great expense, but Isaiah called Egypt a nation unable to help.
Application
Judah was trusting in Egypt rather than trusting in the Lord. Many people today are putting their trust in what the government can provide for them. Lord help me to never put my trust in the government rather than putting my trust in you.
Isaiah 30:1– 7 (NET)
1 “The rebellious children are as good as dead,” says the Lord, “those who make plans without consulting me, who form alliances without consulting my Spirit, and thereby compound their sin.
2 They travel down to Egypt without seeking my will, seeking Pharaoh’s protection, and looking for safety in Egypt’s protective shade.
3 But Pharaoh’s protection will bring you nothing but shame, and the safety of Egypt’s protective shade nothing but humiliation.
4 Though his officials are in Zoan and his messengers arrive at Hanes,
5 all will be put to shame because of a nation that cannot help them, who cannot give them aid or help, but only shame and disgrace.”
6 This is an oracle about the animals in the Negev: Through a land of distress and danger, inhabited by lionesses and roaring lions, by snakes and darting adders, they transport their wealth on the backs of donkeys, their riches on the humps of camels, to a nation that cannot help them.
7 Egypt is totally incapable of helping. For this reason I call her “Proud one who is silenced.”