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The Worthless Treaty with Egypt
6This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them. 7Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Their strength is to sit still "Rahab the Inactive" - The two last words, הם שבת hem shabeth, joined into one, make the participle pihel המשבת hammeshabbeth. I find the learned Professor Doederlein, in his version of Isaiah, and note on this place, has given the same conjecture; which he speaks of as having been formerly published by him. A concurrence of different persons in the same conjecture adds to it a greater degree of probability.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
"Egypt is vanity, and to no purpose will they help" [G. V. SMITH]. strength--Hebrew, Rabah, a designation for Egypt (Isa 51:9; Psa 87:4), implying her haughty fierceness; translate, "Therefore I call her Arrogance that sitteth still." She who boasted of the help she would give, when it came to the test, sat still (Isa 36:6). English Version agrees with Isa 30:15; Isa 7:4.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose,.... Not sending help in time, or such as did no service; though they made a show of help, and attempted to help them, or seemed to do so, yet failed to do it: therefore have I cried; proclaimed or published, either the Lord by the prophet, or the prophet in the name of the Lord, which is much the same: concerning this, Their strength is to sit still; either concerning this embassy, that it would have been better for the ambassadors to have spared all their toil, and labour, and strength, in going down to Egypt, and have remained quiet and easy in their own country: or, "I cried, or called, to this (i)", this city of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants of it, and declared to them, that it was best for them quietly to trust in the Lord, and depend upon his protection, and sit still in Jerusalem, and not attempt to flee from thence to Egypt for safety, and they should see the salvation of God, as in Exo 14:13 to which some think there is an allusion; not but that they might be busy, and employ themselves in preparing for their defence, by providing themselves with arms, and repairing their fortification; but it was not right to go out of the city, and seek a foreign aid or safety. The word for "strength" is "Rahab", one of the names of Egypt, Psa 87:4 and so the sense may be, their "Rahab", their "Egypt", or what they expect from thence, namely, protection and safety, is to sit still, and abide quietly at Jerusalem. Jarchi refers this to Egypt, "I have called to this", to Egypt, they are of a proud spirit, the people cease, and are proud without cause; or according to another exposition he gives, their pride ceaseth, or it is fit it should. De Dieu interprets it also of Egypt; and so does Gussetius (k), but in a different manner, thus, the Egyptians are strength as to rest, they will strongly rest, while Israel strongly hopes they will help them. (i) "vocavi ad hanc", Montanus; "ad istam clamo", Castalio. (k) Comment. Ebr. p. 829.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
30:7 Harmless Dragon: In ancient mythology, Rahab was the enemy of the good gods and was depicted in fearsome terms, somewhat like a giant crocodile (see 27:1; 51:9; Job 41:1-34). By saying that Egypt was harmless, the prophet meant that it would be of no help to Judah.
The Worthless Treaty with Egypt
6This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them. 7Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Their Strength Is to Sit Still (Don't Dissipate Power, but Wait on the lord.)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0Waiting On GodSpiritual StrengthPSA 37:7PSA 46:10PSA 91:1ISA 30:7ISA 40:31LAM 3:25MAT 6:6JHN 15:5PHP 4:6HEB 4:10Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the profound strength found in stillness and waiting on the Lord, contrasting it with the futility of relying on human efforts. He reflects on the importance of dwelling in God's presence, where true security and strength are found, and shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the power of resting in God. Waldvogel encourages believers to cease from their own works and allow God to work through them, highlighting that effective service comes from a place of quietness and trust in God. He reminds us that spiritual strength is often realized in moments of stillness, where we can truly connect with the Almighty.
Inward Stillness
By Charles E. Cowman0EXO 14:141KI 19:12PSA 46:10PSA 62:5ISA 30:7LAM 3:26ZEP 3:17MAT 11:28JAS 4:8REV 8:1Charles E. Cowman preaches on the importance of inward stillness to truly know God. He shares a personal experience of being in a time of great anxiety and turmoil, where he learned to be still and trust in God's sovereignty, leading to a successful outcome. Cowman emphasizes that true passivity is not laziness but a living stillness rooted in trust, contrasting it with anxious tension. He highlights the transformative power of quietness and listening to God's voice, urging believers to rest in God's control and experience the fullness of His presence.
Letter 195.
By James Bourne0PSA 85:9ISA 30:7LUK 19:101CO 2:31CO 2:9James Bourne preaches about the profound effects of godly fear, leading to heart searching, unceasing prayer, and a deep sense of contrition and repentance. He emphasizes the importance of drawing near to the Lord with humility and trembling, experiencing the abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness found in God's salvation. Bourne highlights the power of the Spirit's work in humbling the soul, preventing pride, and exalting the wisdom and power of God, ultimately revealing the hidden wisdom and heavenly blessings prepared for those who love Him.
Epistle 43
By George Fox0GEN 27:28ISA 30:7LAM 3:26MAL 3:2MAT 11:30LUK 16:81CO 13:5GAL 5:12TI 4:2JAS 4:41PE 3:191JN 5:1JUD 1:6REV 17:14George Fox preaches to the brethren, encouraging them to stand together in God's power and not be discouraged by external enemies. He emphasizes the importance of holding onto freedom in Christ, being armed with wisdom against worldly influences, and waiting in purity to comprehend God's wisdom. Fox urges believers to abide trials, stand firm in their freedom from worldly bondage, and wait for redemption. He also calls for unity among friends, exhorting them to speak words of eternal life, reprove evil, and meet together in the spirit to experience God's presence. The sermon concludes with blessings of God's love, guidance, and protection for the faithful who overcome the world through their faith.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Their strength is to sit still "Rahab the Inactive" - The two last words, הם שבת hem shabeth, joined into one, make the participle pihel המשבת hammeshabbeth. I find the learned Professor Doederlein, in his version of Isaiah, and note on this place, has given the same conjecture; which he speaks of as having been formerly published by him. A concurrence of different persons in the same conjecture adds to it a greater degree of probability.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
"Egypt is vanity, and to no purpose will they help" [G. V. SMITH]. strength--Hebrew, Rabah, a designation for Egypt (Isa 51:9; Psa 87:4), implying her haughty fierceness; translate, "Therefore I call her Arrogance that sitteth still." She who boasted of the help she would give, when it came to the test, sat still (Isa 36:6). English Version agrees with Isa 30:15; Isa 7:4.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose,.... Not sending help in time, or such as did no service; though they made a show of help, and attempted to help them, or seemed to do so, yet failed to do it: therefore have I cried; proclaimed or published, either the Lord by the prophet, or the prophet in the name of the Lord, which is much the same: concerning this, Their strength is to sit still; either concerning this embassy, that it would have been better for the ambassadors to have spared all their toil, and labour, and strength, in going down to Egypt, and have remained quiet and easy in their own country: or, "I cried, or called, to this (i)", this city of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants of it, and declared to them, that it was best for them quietly to trust in the Lord, and depend upon his protection, and sit still in Jerusalem, and not attempt to flee from thence to Egypt for safety, and they should see the salvation of God, as in Exo 14:13 to which some think there is an allusion; not but that they might be busy, and employ themselves in preparing for their defence, by providing themselves with arms, and repairing their fortification; but it was not right to go out of the city, and seek a foreign aid or safety. The word for "strength" is "Rahab", one of the names of Egypt, Psa 87:4 and so the sense may be, their "Rahab", their "Egypt", or what they expect from thence, namely, protection and safety, is to sit still, and abide quietly at Jerusalem. Jarchi refers this to Egypt, "I have called to this", to Egypt, they are of a proud spirit, the people cease, and are proud without cause; or according to another exposition he gives, their pride ceaseth, or it is fit it should. De Dieu interprets it also of Egypt; and so does Gussetius (k), but in a different manner, thus, the Egyptians are strength as to rest, they will strongly rest, while Israel strongly hopes they will help them. (i) "vocavi ad hanc", Montanus; "ad istam clamo", Castalio. (k) Comment. Ebr. p. 829.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
30:7 Harmless Dragon: In ancient mythology, Rahab was the enemy of the good gods and was depicted in fearsome terms, somewhat like a giant crocodile (see 27:1; 51:9; Job 41:1-34). By saying that Egypt was harmless, the prophet meant that it would be of no help to Judah.