Introduction. 

As we have seen in chapters 1 to 39 of the Book of Isaiah, the prophet principally addresses Israel in the 8th.century BC. Israel is under the threat of judgment from Adonai and from His agent, Assyria.  

Chapters 28 to 35 contain six “woes”, along with intimations of salvation and restoration. 

In chapter 29, Isaiah denounced those who sought human assistance at the expense of dependence on Adonai. In chapters 30 and 31, Isaiah particularly addresses the folly of dependence on Egypt in the face of Assyrian aggression. 

Outline of chapter 30. 

Verses. 1 – 7. The futility of confidence in Egypt but Israel’s “rebellious children” will pursue this policy. 

Verses. 8 – 14. The rebellious people who by seeking a treaty with Egypt, blatantly reject the word of Adonai. 

Verses. 15 – 17. Judah’s salvation lies in returning to Adonai. 

Verses 18 – 26. The Lord will wait and be gracious. 

Verses 27 – 33. Judgment on Assyria. 

Verse 1. Futile Confidence in Egypt. 

“Woe to the rebellious children”, says the Lord, “who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.” 

This is the fourth “woe” of chapters 28 – 35. The “rebellious children” are the advisors to King Hezakiah, who to their sin of injustice, add the sin of devising plans for the king to ignore the word of Adonai and to turn to Egypt for help against the invading Assyrians. 

Isaiah 29:15. 

“Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?” 

Judah will learn that Egypt is not worthy of their trust. The men who insist on doing things their way, without reference to Adonai are like a drunk making foolish decision (Deuteronomy 29: 19). 

Verse 2. 

“Who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!” 

Judah, as we have seen, will learn that Egypt is not worthy of their trust. Yet, they will trust “in the shadow of Egypt”, instead of trusting in the shadow of the Almighty. 

Psalm 91:1. 

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”   

Isaiah 31:1. 

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” 

Not only had they failed to consult Adonai’s prophet, but Adonai had specifically warned Israel against returning to Egypt. 

Deuteronomy 17: 16. Principles governing kings. 

“But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, “You shall not return that way again.” 

Verse 3. 

“Therefore the strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt shall be your humiliation.”   

Judah will learn that Egypt is not worthy of their trust. The Assyrians had already defeated Egypt only one hundred miles from the Egyptian border. Egyptian caravans would take tribute from Judah to Egypt through the Negev. But Egypt would retreat. 

This scenario would be repeated when the Babylonians invaded Judah (Jeremiah 37: 6 – 8). When Egypt came up to Judah to face the Babylonians, they soon retreated and Jerusalem was taken. 

Verses 4 and 5. 

“For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people who could not benefit them, or be help or benefit, but a shame and also a reproach.” 

Zoan is in the northeast of Egypt and Hanes was fifty miles south of Memphis. 

These “princes” were ambassadors from Judah sent to woo Egypt, but their mission would end in deep humiliation. 

Isaiah 19: 11 – 13. The proclamation against Egypt. 

“Surely the princes of Zoan are fools; Pharaoh’s wise counsellors give foolish counsel … the princes of Zoan have become fools …” 

Israel turned in every direction for help except to the Lord. Appealing to Egypt would be as useless as appealing to Assyria. 

Jeremiah 2: 36,37. 

“Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria. Indeed you will go forth from him with your hands on your head; for the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, and you will not prosper by them.” 

Verses 6 and 7. 

“The burden against the beasts of the South. 

Through the land of trouble and anguish, from which came the lioness and lion, the viper and flying fiery serpent, they will carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys, and their treasure on the humps of camels, to a people who shall not profit; for the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose. Therefore I shall call her Rahab-Hem-Shabeth.” 

The land which is so dangerous and unattractive is the Negev. 

The camels and donkeys are carrying Judah’s gifts to Egypt. This is a rich caravan, trudging slowly through this rugged terrain fraught with dangers, in a fruitless enterprise to try to purchase assistance from Egypt. 

This land is described in Deuteronomy 8: 15. 

“… that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpion and thirsty land in which there was no water…” 

We have met “Rahab” before; a dragon from pagan mythology. Its name literally means “storm” or “arrogant”. The term was used in Psalm 87: 4 and Psalm 89: 10 and refers to Egypt. 

Both “Rahab” and “Leviathan” are used as symbols of forces of evil in the universe which only Adonai can overcome (Isaiah 51: 9). 

But here Egypt is referred to as “Rahab-Hem-Shabeth”; Rahab (the giant) who sits idly and is unwilling to help. 

Verses 8 – 14. The rebellious people who by seeking a treaty with Egypt, blatantly reject the Word of Adonai. 

Verses 8 and 9. A rebellious people. 

“Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll, that it may be for time to come, forever and ever: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the Lord …”     

Isaiah is receiving instructions from Adonai to make a permanent written record for future generations. He wishes it to be irrefutably recorded that there was great folly in trusting Egypt in what was a blatant rejection of the word of Adonai. Such was Adonai’s anger at the people’s unwillingness to obey His command. 

Isaiah 1: 2,4. 

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me … they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward.” 

Habakkuk was also instructed to commit his vision to paper for future reference. 

Habakkuk 2: 2,3.  

“Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablet, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak …” 

Verses 10 and 11. 

“… (lying children) who say to the seers, “Do not see”, and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophecy deceits. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” 

“To cause the Holy One of Israel to cease before us”. This is the most flagrant of the people’s wicked deeds. They have tired of hearing counsel contrary to the path they desire to follow. They wanted Isaiah to change his message to accommodate them, to remove Adonai from the land. 

Isaiah 5: 20. 

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” 

Such attitudes are not confined to ancient times. 

2 Timothy 4: 3,4. 

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears from the truth …” 

Verses 12 and 13. 

“Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel; “Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.” 

The people chose not to obey Adonai, and in effect rejected Him despite the message from Isaiah. Therefore trouble is coming the rebels’ way. The analogy is with a high wall and coming judgment. A wall with a “bulge” is liable to collapse suddenly. Judah will see Egypt as a poor wall of defence, likely to crack to pieces. 

The fate of a person who defies Adonai. 

Numbers 15: 31: 

“Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken his commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.” 

Similarly, 

Proverbs 13: 13. 

“He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” 

Adonai had already informed them of what they had to do.  

Isaiah 1: 16, 17. 

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes, cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” 

Verse 14. 

“And He shall break it like the breaking of a potter’s vessel, which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare, so there shall not be found among its fragments a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water from the cistern.” 

Adonai can break a nation to pieces as easily as smashing a jug. It will shatter into tiny, useless pieces. Judgment will be sudden and complete. 

Egypt’s poor wall of defence will be smashed completely like an earthenware vessel that is dropped, with no fragment left big enough for even the most menial task. 

Verses 15 – 17. Judah’s salvation lies in returning to Adonai. 

Verse 15. 

“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not …” 

Adonai has been saying to Judah that their salvation lay in returning to Him. But this would entail repentance. They should trust again in Adonai; the kind of trust epitomised by “quietness and confidence”. This is the way forward; rather than going their own way, where they would find no rest. Their strength would lie in quiet trust in Adonai, rather than frenzied flight to Egypt. 

Psalm 116: 7. 

“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” 

Compare with the trouble for those who refuse Adonaoi’s “rest”. 

Isaiah 28: 2. 

“Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.” 

But Judah’s rebels refused to turn to the true avenue of salvation and strength; resting in and having confidence in the Lord. 

Verse 16. 

“And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses” – therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses” – therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!” 

Instead of trusting in the Lord, they were depending on Egypt for horses and chariots to defend the land. But no horse could deliver them from the Lord’s appointed oppressors. They would ride swift horses alright, but in retreat and panic being chased by the invaders. 

Psalm 33: 17. 

“A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. “ 

Verse 17. 

“One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain and as a banner on a hill.” 

The nation shall be routed, chased by their enemies until they are left like a single, scrawny pole on a hill. 

Deuteronomy 28: 25. The curse for disobedience. 

“The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against then and flee seven ways before them …” 

Adonai’s protection of His people was so sure that defeat could only occur if it were He who gave them over to their enemies. 

Deuteronomy 32: 30. 

“How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had surrendered them?” 

Verses 18 – 26. Adonai will be gracious. 

Verse 18. 

“Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” 

A magnificent verse! 

Judah will not wait on (expectantly look to) Adonai. So, He waits for Judah to come to their senses. 

Adonai’s gracious character and mercy are balanced as they interact with His justice. This will result in Him being exalted.  

Adonai will wait till the disaster that people are bringing upon themselves, is so evident to them, because of the foolishness of their actions, that they realize that they must turn to Adonai. When they realize this, He will be exalted by them, and He will pour out His blessings. 

Judges 2: 16 – 19. We see this in the pattern of Israel’s history. 

“Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do so. And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.” 

The lesson had to be learned. 

Proverbs 16: 20. 

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” 

Some would learned this lesson. 

Isaiah 26: 8. 

“Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You.” 

Verse 19. 

“For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.” 

This verse points emphatically to Adonai’s grace towards Israel. The city of Jerusalem will survive the current crisis and be central to the Lord.  

As we saw in Judges, Adonai is moved by the suffering of His people. 

Judges 2: 18. 

“… the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning…” 

Adonai will receive those who trust Him.   

Isaiah 65: 9. 

“I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there.” 

And looking to the millennial age. 

Ezekiel 37: 28. 

“The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst for forevermore.” 

Verse 20. 

“And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers.” 

The Lord was giving Israel meagre rations as though they were in prison. After a period of judgment because of disobedience, Adonai would open Israel’s eyes to the soundness of the message of the prophets who would lead them to salvation. 

Isaiah 29: 24. 

“These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine.” 

Verse 21. 

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” 

When the people of Judah turn back to Adonai, He will be their guide. 

The people had been living in such a way that they were oblivious to their spiritual leaders. In verse 11, they would “turn aside from the path.” 

Isaiah 29: 9,10. 

“… Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with intoxicating drink.” 

But now they would be guided by the Spirit of Adonai and not deviate from the way, but “walk in it”. 

Joshua 1: 7. 

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” 

Verse 22. 

“You will also defile the covering of your images of silver, and the ornament of your moulded images of gold, you will throw them away as an unclean thing; you will say to them, “Get away!”. 

To “defile” means to desecrate by destruction; as King Josiah did with all the Baal paraphernalia from out of the temple (2 Kings 23). They will treat their idols as something soiled; to be got rid of. 

Isaiah 2: 20. 

“In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which they made, each for himself to worship, to the moles and bats …” 

2 Chronicles 31: 1. In the time of King Hezekiah. 

“… all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the sacred pillars in pieces, cut down the wooden images and threw down the high places and the altars …” 

Hosea 14: 8. 

“What have I to do anymore with idols?” 

However, it took the Babylonian exile to cure Israel of her idolatry in fulfilment of this prophecy. 

Verses 23 and 24. 

“Then He will give the rain for your seed with which you sow the ground, and bread of the increase of the earth; it will be fat and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pastures. Likewise the oxen and the young donkeys that work the ground will eat cured fodder, which has been winnowed with the shovel and fan.” 

Such promises are part of the Mosaic covenant and now they will be in force. The blessing of “rain” would extend to field and flock. The livestock will be provided with the best fodder. 

Deuteronomy 28: 11,12. 

“And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand.” 

Matthew 6:33. 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 

In the millennial kingdom, agriculture, cattle raising, food production and water resources will prosper. Isaiah here predicted the redemption of nature. 

Romans 8: 19 – 21. 

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” 

Verse 25. 

“There will be on every high mountain and on every high hill rivers and streams of waters, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” 

The coming salvation will be great and extensive (“on every high mountain”). The provision of ample rainwater and strong streams are associated with the blessings that come from trusting in Adonai. 

Isaiah 41: 18. 

“I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” 

The phrase “when the towers fall”, refers to the great slaughter of the Day of the Lord when all His enemies will be destroyed and there will be an end to human pride. 

Isaiah 2: 12. 

“For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up – and it shall be brought low…” 

Verse 26. 

“Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound.” 

Unlike the destructive intensified light of Revelation 16: 8,9, this intensified light should be understood as symbolizing the glory and righteousness of Adonai. The benefit of increased intensity of light from these natural sources will work to the advantage of the people. They will receive blessing. 

Verses 27 – 33. Judgment on Assyria. 

Isaiah follows the promise of Judah’s redemption with a promise of Assyria’s destruction. 

Verse 27. 

“Behold, the name of the Lord comes from afar, burning with His anger, and His burden is heavy; His lips are full of indignation, and His tongue like a devouring fire.” 

The phrase “the name of the Lord” refers to His character as sovereign, as memorialised in His saving acts throughout history. This verse states the He “comes”, but He comes like a raging torrent; certainly not in a quiet way. 

Isaiah 29: 6. 

“You will be punished by the Lord of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with storm and tempest and the flame of devouring fire.” 

Verse 28. 

“His breath is like an overflowing stream, which reaches up to the neck, to sift the nations with a sieve of futility; and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.” 

The very “breath” of the Lord is likened to a roaring, overflowing river. He will come suddenly and powerfully upon His enemies like a great storm with its accompanying flood to overwhelm them. The godless nations will be sifted in a sieve of destruction. 

Isaiah 11:4. 

“… He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.” 

2 Thessalonians 2:8. 

“And the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 

Such power! 

Verse 29. 

“You shall have a song as in the night when a holy festival is kept, and gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute, to come to the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel.” 

Assyria will be beaten down by the Lord, and every stroke of punishment will be accompanied by jubilation in Judah. At festival times singing and celebrating would go on late into the night. They will worship the “Mighty One of Israel”. 

Psalm 144:1. 

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle…” 

Verses 30 – 32. 

“The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard, and show the descent of His arm, with the indignation of His anger and the flame of devouring fire, with scattering, tempest and hailstones. For through the voice of the Lord Assyria will be beaten down, as He strikes with the rod. And in every place where the staff of punishment passes, which the Lord lays on him, it will be with tambourines and harps; and in battles of brandishing He will fight with it.”” 

Only in this section is the actual name of the enemy (“Assyria”) mentioned. The strong arm of Adonai which delivered Israel from Egypt, will now descend in judgment with the accompanying noise, atmospheric convulsions and fire. 

Psalm 29: 3,4 

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” 

Isaiah 10: 12. Arrogant Assyria judged. 

“… it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.” 

Verse 33. 

“For Tophet was established of old, yes, for the king it is prepared. He has made it deep and large; its pyre is fire with much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, kindles it.” 

Tophet, located south of Jerusalem, was the place where the valleys of Hinnom and Kidron met. It was probably a deep, wide pit containing a bonfire of blazing wood. It was where, in times gone by, children were burned as offerings to pagan gods. The area has filled in significantly over the years. 

“Tophet” literally means a place of “abomination”. Later it became known as “Gehenna”; the place for refuse from the city with a constantly burning fire, symbolizing hell. 

The burning fire of Tophet (hell) was ready to receive the wicked king of Assyria and his army which would be completely defeated. 

“Brimstone” is a reminder of the fiery destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19: 24). 

2 Kings 23:10. 

“And he (King Josiah) defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or daughter pass through the fire of Molech.”