Isaiah 30 (click here to read the chapter)
This chapter contains the fourth “woe” message, found in chapters 28-33. These messages are there as warnings and prophecies against the people. They are difficult to read as we struggle with the judgments that are issued against people and the consequences they suffer for their sin and rebellion, but don’t miss the amazing promises of renewal and reconciliation when people return to the Lord.
This chapter contains the same elements.
This “woe” passage is calling out God’s people for putting their trust in Egypt to protect them against the Assyrians rather than trusting God. Egypt here is described as “Rahab who sits still”. “Rahab” is another name for the chaos monster of Canaanite mythology, a sea serpent named “Leviathan” (Isaiah 27:1), who struck fear in the hearts of the people of the ancient Near East as it threatened to destroy order. However, in this instance, as in Isaiah 27:1, this monster is nothing compared to the Lord. In addition, in this chapter, this "Rahab" is described as worthless and empty of power, and the Lord says that this is the state of Egypt as an ally against the Assyrians; worthless and empty.
The point of all this imagery is a question: “Why would the people of God place their trust in Egypt rather than the Lord?”
Unfortunately, the people persist in their rebellion and sin, placing their trust in Egypt.
The result of their failure to trust God is that Judah will be devastated, and we’re talking about the kind of devastation that we see in a massive earthquake or like that of a tsunami, which wipes away whole cities in a matter of moments. Judah will be battered and broken until they come to their senses, but then, then God’s promise of redemption and restoration is there for His people.
The people persist in their stubbornness. They trust in their own wisdom and the strength of other nations, while they rebel against the Lord their God, and it’s difficult to read about the consequences that follow.
However, don’t miss what is revealed regarding the nature and character of God in this chapter.
God will let us go our own way, but God will also lovingly call us back to Him. There is hope (look again at verses 18-21 and highlight them!). Even though people wander away from the Lord, even though they persist in rebellion, even though they may have done awful things, hope perseveres because God still loves us. We are His, we are created in His image, and God still loves us.
Not “loved” but “loves.” We see God’s love for us ultimately expressed in the giving and sending of His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins, yours and mine. All we have to do is humbly repent and return. We have hope. It’s not too late. The Lord loves you, and nothing that you’ve done is so bad or terrible that it would cause the Lord to reject you. He is waiting and willing to forgive and bring you back home if you will humbly turn to Him. Please hear these words from verses 18-21 again.
Isaiah 30.18-21
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
God bless you, and know that I am praying for you constantly.
Scott