In our study of Isaiah chapter thirty, we look at the fact that the Lord is our strength and help in times of trouble. We look at Judah and Israel's opposite reactions when they were faced with threats from Assyria.
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"Woe to the rebellious children," says ADONAI. "They make plans, but the plans are not mine; they develop alliances, but not from my Spirit, in order to pile sin upon sin. They go down to Egypt but don't consult me, seeking refuge in Pharaoh's protection, seeking shelter in Egypt's shadow.
Isaiah relays the words of God to the people of Jerusalem speaking of the fact that the northern kingdom (Israel) had formed an alliance with Egypt when faced with threats from Assyria. We see the details of these events in 2 Kings 7 and Isaiah reminds the people that this was not a part of God's plan for his people. He calls them obstinate children because they ignored the warnings of Amos about the coming judgment at the hands of the Assyrians. They were "heaping sin upon sin" because of the fact that they put their faith (trust) in someone other than God. The reference to Egypt's shade speaks of someone trying to avoid the heat of the day by finding a shade tree. In a sense, when it got hot in Samaria, they went to Egypt to look for their help instead of trusting in the Lord.
But Pharaoh's protection will bring you shame, shelter in Egypt's shadow will lead to disgrace. Though his princes are at Tzo'an, and his envoys have reached Hannes, they all are disappointed with a people that doesn't help them, who give no assistance and no advantage, only disappointment and disgrace."
God reminds the people of Jerusalem that Egypt did not protect Israel and save them from the judgment at the hands of the Assyrians. He speaks of shame and disgrace as one that has been found out to be a fraud. The people of the northern kingdom had claimed to be God's people but, when the going got tough, the truth was revealed. This is a reminder that God allows tough times in the lives of his people so that they will grow in their faith (trust) of him.
A prophecy about the animals in the Negev: In a land of trouble and anguish, of lionesses and roaring lions, of vipers and poisonous flying serpents, they carry their riches on donkeys' backs and their treasures on camels' humps to a people who will not help them. For Egypt's help is worthless, pointless; so I call her "Arrogance Doing Nothing."
Isaiah continues to tell of the fact that Israel's efforts to form an alliance with Egypt to save them from the Assyrians was doomed to failure. The last part of the passage speaks of the fact that God called Israel to rest in him but, in their pride (rahab), they could not sit still and trust in him. That is one of the great challenges even in the life of a Christian. When we are faced with troubling situations, the flesh tells us that we have to find a way to fix or get out of the situation. Meanwhile, God is calling us to rest in him and trust him to get us through.
Now go, inscribe it on a tablet, write it for them in a scroll, so that on the final day it will be a witness forever and ever.
The tough times grow us in our faith but our reaction to them can help others to grow as well. The experience of Israel is a witness to us that our hope and help only comes from the Lord.
For this is a rebellious people; they are lying children, children who refuse to hear the Torah of ADONAI. They say to the seers, "Do not see!" to those who have visions, "Do not tell us the visions you have as they really are; but flatter us, fabricate illusions! Get out of the way! Leave the path! Rid us of the Holy One of Isra'el!"
Isaiah goes on to tell us what was to be written down about the people of Israel and their rebellion in this matter. We see that their rebellion was not because of the fact that they did not know any better. They had been warned but told the prophets to basically shut up.
Therefore here is what the Holy One of Isra'el says: "Because you reject this word, trust in extortion and rely on deceit, this sin will become for you a crack bulging out high on a wall, showing signs it is ready to fall; then suddenly, all at once, it breaks." He will break it like a clay pot, ruthlessly shattering it into pieces so tiny not even a potsherd remains for taking fire from the fireplace or scooping water from the cistern.
Isaiah continues to recount the events that preceded the fall of the northern kingdom. We see, here, that the name of God that is used is "Holy One" and it was intentionally used to underscore the fact that God is separate and not a part of some alliance. Israel had rejected the promises of God and had put their hope in an alliance with Egypt but that alliance is described as a cracked and bulging wall. This was a reminder to Jerusalem and is also one to us that God is not to be our "plan B" to be used in case all other efforts fail. He is to be set apart (holy) in our hearts as the one that is in control and has the power to protect us. If, like Israel, we choose to look to allies in this world to help us instead of trusting in the Lord, we will find out that they too are like a cracked wall. The wall might make you feel good for a time but it really does not change the situation. We are also reminded of the fact that this attitude of alliances will be embraced in the last days and will make it possible for the antichrist to rise to power.
For this is what Adonai ELOHIM, the Holy One of Isra'el, says: "Returning and resting is what will save you; calmness and confidence will make you strong - but you want none of this!
God reminded the northern kingdom that he was in control and that all they had to do was to sit still and trust in him. They did not do that, so they would face the consequences. The same type of thing applies to us as Christians. When things look their darkest, we can choose to wait on the Lord or we can search for a solution on our own. If we choose to try to fix things on our own, then, God will allow us to do so but we will have to deal with the results from our bad decision.
'No!' you say, 'We will flee on horseback!' Therefore you will surely flee. And, 'We will ride on swift ones!' So your pursuers will be swift. A thousand will flee at the threat of one, you all will flee at the threat of five, until you are left isolated, like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill."
Isaiah continues to describe what happened to the northern kingdom when they chose to run to Egypt for help instead of repenting and trusting in the Lord. He refers to Deuteronomy 32:30 and the fact that Moses had predicted that Israel would turn to idolatry instead of trusting in God. With the reference to the flagstaff and banner, Isaiah spoke of the fact that Israel's lack of faith and the resulting exile would be a sign (testimony) to Judah and Jerusalem.
Yet ADONAI is just waiting to show you favor, he will have pity on you from on high; for ADONAI is a God of justice; happy are all who wait for him!
Even as God handed Israel over to the Assyrians, there was still the promise of mercy and compassion because they were his chosen people. Once they were in exile, they would have no choice but to wait and trust in God to deliver them. Those who remembered that fact did not have to worry about the future as they could be confident that God would keep his promises. Those who did not, would continue to worry about what was going to happen to them. So, what does this have to do with us as Christians in the world today? We, too, can learn from the history of Israel. When we are faced with difficult situations, we can choose to trust God and wait on him or we can try to run to others for help. If we wait on the Lord and see his deliverance, we will grow in our faith and it will be easier to trust in him when a bigger challenge comes along. If we run to others for help, they might help us with our present trouble but we cannot be sure that they will be there every time. At some point, they will let us down.
People in Tziyon, who live in Yerushalayim, you will weep no more. At the sound of your cry, he will show you his grace; on hearing it, he will answer you.
Now, Isaiah speaks of the situation that faces Jerusalem and he basically says that they do not have to suffer the same fate as the northern kingdom. He reminds them of God's promise of grace if they would simply turn to him and trust only in him. Isaiah goes on to say that they won't even have to wait for "God's timing" but reminds them that he was prepared to immediately act on their behalf. This is a reminder to us that "waiting on the Lord" does not always mean it will be some period of time before he answers. Sometimes, it means turning to him first for the answer instead of using faith as a sort of backup plan.
Though Adonai may give you but bread and water, and not very much of that; your teacher will no longer hide himself, but with your own eyes you will see your teacher. With your ears you will hear a word from behind you: "This is the way; stay on it, whether you go to the right or the left."
Once the people turned back to the Lord, they would be able to hear and understand the words of the Lord as delivered by his prophets. This is a big contrast to the northern kingdom where they were told to keep quiet. It is a reminder to us as well that God will not force us to listen and do what he says but he will give us the direction and the ability to make a choice.
You will treat as unclean your silver-covered idols and your cast metal images plated with gold; you will throw them away, like menstrual cloths; you will say to them, "Get out of here!"
The first thing that the people do once they are able to hear the words of God again is to throw out their idols. This is due to the fact that they realize that God is holy (set apart) and that he does not share his place with anything.
Then he will give you rain for the seed you use to sow your land; and the food that comes from the ground will be rich and abundant. When that day comes, your cattle will graze in spacious pastures. The oxen and donkeys that work the land will eat a tasty mixture, winnowed free of chaff, spread by pitchfork and shovel. On every high mountain and lofty hill will be streams and flowing brooks, on a day of great slaughter, when the towers fall. Moreover, the light of the moon will be as bright as the light of the sun; and the light of the sun will be seven times stronger, like the light of seven days [in one], on the day ADONAI binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruise caused by the blow.
Isaiah shares the fact that, not only would God hear the cry of his people, but he would also take care of them, Here, the prophet speaks of the Millennial Reign and the fact that the land of Israel will once again be very rich and productive. The "day of great slaughter" refers to the battle where Satan leads the nations against Jerusalem just before the arrival of Yeshua to deliver his people (see Revelation 19). The end of this battle will start the Millennial Reign and the "streams of water" refers to the fact that the people will be taught about the things of God by Yeshua. The days and nights will be much brighter just because of the presence of Yeshua Messiah. This is preparation for the new Jerusalem where the glory of the Lord will provide all of its light (see Revelation 21). The bruises and wounds that Isaiah speaks of refers to the suffering of the Jewish people that is growing in our world today. This suffering at the hands of the nations will be ended with the arrival of Yeshua and the final battle. So, what about the part that says "he inflicted" the wounds? The suffering that afflicts God's people even today is allowed by God and it has a purpose which is to draw them to him and his saving grace. We are reminded of the fact that, even for this final battle, it is God that draws the nations against Jerusalem (see Ezekiel 38) so that his glory and power can be displayed to the nations and to his people.
Here comes the name of ADONAI from afar, his anger burning, in thick rising smoke. His lips are full to the brim with fury, his tongue a consuming fire.
Isaiah continues to describe the moments just before the start of the Millennial Reign and, here, he describes the second coming of Yeshua Messiah. This is a stark contrast to the peaceful baby being born in a manger as we see that Yeshua's return is with wrath at the fact that so many have rejected him and his authority.
His breath is like a racing torrent that rises up to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and put a bridle in the peoples' mouths to lead them astray.
Isaiah describes Yeshua's return as being as unstoppable as a river at flood stage and he tells of the fact that the nations have been drawn to Jerusalem. We might ask what is the "bit" that Isaiah speaks of is talking about. It speaks of the false belief that man can do anything if we would just all band together. This is the ultimate act of idolatry as the people band together in an attempt to take control of the city of Jerusalem even though God has set aside that city for himself.
Your song will be like one that is sung on a night when a holy feast is kept, and your hearts will be happy, as if walking to the sound of the flute, to the mountain of ADONAI, to the Rock of Isra'el.
Here, we see a clear separation of God's people and those who have rejected Yeshua Messiah. Those that have rejected him and come against his city are subjected to judgment while his people sing and rejoice. This is a reminder to us that, if we wait on the Lord and his timing, he will take care of those who threaten his people. Today, there are all kinds of man made efforts to bring peace to Jerusalem. We can choose to run after all sorts of people or governments to intervene on our behalf (much like Israel did when faced with the threat from the Assyrians) or we can confidently wait for Yeshua to return to take up the fight.
ADONAI will make his glorious voice heard, and he will reveal his arm descending with furious anger in a flaming firestorm, with cloudbursts, tempests and hailstones.
Why is God going to draw the nations to Jerusalem for a great battle before the Millennial Reign? We see that its purpose is to demonstrate once and for all the power of God Almighty. This is truly a "drop the mic" type of event where, once Yeshua shows up, it is over!
For ADONAI's voice will terrify Ashur, as with his scepter he strikes them down. Every sweep of the punishing rod that ADONAI imposes on him will be to tambourines and lyres, as he brandishes his arm against them in battle.
Now, Isaiah returns to talking about the situation that the residents of Jerusalem were facing at the time. He describes how God will take care of the Assyrian threat even as his people celebrate and worship with musical instruments.
For the Tofet fire pit has long been ready, prepared for the king, made large and deep, with plenty of wood and blazing with fire; like a stream of sulfur, ADONAI's breath sets it aflame.
Topheth is a place in the southeast end of the valley of Hinnom which is south of Jerusalem. Basically it was the place where the trash was taken out of the city and burned so that there was constantly a fire burning and a stench that filled the air. Although the fires do not burn there today, the place was a picture of the fiery pit of hell that awaits those who reject Yeshua Messiah. Isaiah uses the picture of this place to reassure the people of Jerusalem that the Assyrians would be taken away from the city and the threat would be eliminated. The key was for them to wait on the Lord as he says that Topheth was "long prepared" for this time. The same thing goes for us as we face threats and trials in the world today.
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