30. Isaiah Chapter Thirty

Isaiah Chapter 30

Woe is now pronounced against Judah for seeking help from Egypt against Assyria. This the northern kingdom of Israel had done with disastrous results. In Isaiah 30:1 the phrase rendered “that cover with a covering” may also be translated “that weave an alliance” (some would render it “that form a molten image”; this seems less suitable). The counsel was contrary to that of the Spirit of God. It was adding sin to the sin of their hardness of heart, their self-will and apostasy from God. The effect would be shame and reproach (Isaiah 30:5). In Isaiah 30:6 Isaiah utters an oracle (r.v. margin) concerning “the beasts of the south” not the beasts that are going southward, as in the end of the verse, but the beasts that are native to Egypt, such as the hippopotamus; there too are the lioness and lion, the viper and the flying serpent. Just as all these are dangerous and troublesome, so would the rulers of Egypt prove to be. To bring treasures on camels and asses so as to secure the help of the country from which God had long before delivered His people, would procure no help at all. “For Egypt helpeth in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I called her Rahab that sitteth still” (Isaiah 30:7, r.v.). Rahab signifies “arrogance.” Proud aloofness prevented help from that quarter. The next verse shows that this warning against going to Egypt for help was intended not merely for God’s people in Isaiah’s day, but for all in every period. It was to be written on a tablet and inscribed in a book “that it may be for the time to come, for ever and ever.” To seek help and counsel from the Egypt world instead of from God can result only in disaster.

Isaiah 30:9-11 reveal the utter perverseness of the nation in their rejection of the testimony of the prophets of God and their determination to do without the Lord Himself. They preferred oppression (or fraud) and iniquity, the effect of which would be like that of a falling breach in a towering wall (Isaiah 30:13). They would be broken in pieces like a potter’s vessel (the destruction which Gentiles will yet experience, Psalms 2:1-12).

Mercy was offered to those who would return to the Lord and find rest. But they refused and would flee to Egypt on swift steeds (Isaiah 30:16). For this they would flee from their enemies, one of whom would chase a thousand, and five chasing them all, till they became like a single pine on a mountain top and a single banner on a hill (Isaiah 30:17). In Isaiah 30:18 the “therefore” gives the key to the true meaning. The Lord has been foretelling the judgments that must come upon these guilty people. For this reason the eventual blessing of the nation is delayed. He will “wait” (i.e., will delay) until the right time comes for Him to be gracious, in the exercise of His restoring mercy; He will “be exalted” (i.e., will withdraw himself on high), in His dealings in judgment, so that, when this has fulfilled His purpose, and not till then, He may show His mercy. The time has not come even yet. Israel has hindered its own deliverance and salvation.

“For Jehovah is a God of judgment.” This forms a connecting link between what has just been set forth as to His necessary chastisements upon the backsliding, and what is now to be said as to the assured mercy for those, who, walking in fellowship with Him, abide His time. In both cases He is righteous, both in chastising and in showing mercy. He always has, and will have, until the day of deliverance, a remnant of godly ones. “Blessed are all they that wait for Him.” The people will dwell safely, will weep no more, and will receive the answer to their supplication. During the preceding time of adversity they will be supplied with bread, and with water in their affliction (Isaiah 30:20). This is the true meaning of the first part of this verse. It contains the promises of mercy. The bread and water are not symbolic of adversity, they represent the promised supplies of need during the affliction. Moreover guidance and instruction will be imparted by God-sent teachers (Isaiah 30:20-21). For the people will, in the spirit of repentance, purge themselves from their iniquities (Isaiah 30:22).

All this is in harmony with other Scriptures which speak of the circumstances of the great tribulation and those who turn to Him therein and wait for the promised Deliverer. When He comes, Isaiah 30:23-26, with their description of Millennial fruitfulness and glory, will be fulfilled.

Isaiah 30:27-32 foretell the outpouring of the wrath of God upon the gathered enemies. And, as in so many other passages, while the immediate foe was the Assyrian, the prophecy points on to the coming power of his antitype, the Antichrist. The very fact of the assurances of Millennial glory, which will follow, is sufficient to confirm this. The word rendered “people” in Isaiah 30:28, a.v., is plural, and is the same as that rendered “nations” just before. God will put a bridle in their jaws, causing them to err under the deceptive Satanic power of the Man of Sin. The godly in Israel will have a song in that night of tribulation, rejoicing in the prospect of the coming day. It will be an earnest of the “Songs of Ascents” when they come to Jerusalem, to the mountain of Jehovah, “to the mighty One [the Rock] of Israel” (Isaiah 30:29).

Isaiah 30:30-32 depict the scene of the warfare of Armageddon. Tophet (Isaiah 30:33) denotes, not the burning, but the abhorred. It is the place in the valley of Hinnom, where cruel and abominable sacrifices were offered to Moloch. There at the center of the battle line of 200 miles (1,600 furlongs, Revelation 14:20) of the gathered armies of the Antichrist, the breath of Jehovah will kindle the fire of His wrath, and Israel will be delivered (see Isaiah 63:1-6; Psalms 2:1-6; Joel 2:11; Joel 3:9-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:11-21; Deuteronomy 32:42, r.v.).