Prediction of the Failure of The Alliance

Isaiah 30:8–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

The people did not want to listen to God’s instruction through Isaiah. So, God told him to write down His message so they could not claim they had never heard it (vv 8-9). Rejecting Isaiah’s message (vv. 9-11) and relying on oppression (plans to avoid God’s counsel) and deceit, they would undergo judgment. They were like rebellious ... children (v. 10), unwilling to listen to the Lord, to receive messages from His prophets. It was not bad enough that Judah rebelled against God, by trusting Egypt instead of trusting Jehovah and depending on money instead of on God’s power, but they even went so far as to reject the Word of God. Immediately after that, they said they did not want to be confronted by the Holy One of Israel (v. 11).

Isaiah told the people what would happen to Judah and Jerusalem because they were trusting in lies. Their wall of protection would suddenly collapse, shattered to pieces like a clay vessel (vv 12-14). They did not want to be confronted with the truth from God. Isaiah did confront them with more words from the Holy One of Israel.  The Lord said, only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved (v. 15). This does not mean that God did not want them to work hard for his kingdom (I Thess. 5:12) but to seek the empowering of His Spirit. Instead they depended on military might (v. 16). But if they were to rely on horses, God said they would be forced to flee (v. 17).

Application

Does truth ever make me uncomfortable? Do I ever prefer lies when they will make me feel more secure? It is better to face reality than to live a lie. I must never settle for something that makes me feel comfortable but is not true.