Folly and Fatality

For some time the leaders of Judah have been scheming in secret to find a way to avoid coming under the yoke of Assyria.  However, Jehovah has been watching.  Now he exposed their scheme:  " 'Woe  to the stubborn sons,'  is the utterance of Jehovah, 'those disposed to carry out counsel, but not that from me; and to pour out a libation, but not with my spirit, in order to add sin to sin; those who are setting out to go down  to Egypt.' " -Isaiah 30:1, 2.

What a shock for those scheming leaders to hear their plan revealed!  Traveling to Egypt in order to make an alliance  with her is more than hostile action against Assyria; it is rebellion against Jehovah God.  In the time of King David, the nation looked to Jehovah as a stronghold and took refuge  'in the shadow of his wings.'  (Psalm 27:1; 36:7) Now they "Take shelter in the stronghold of Pharaoh"  and "take refuse in the shadow of Egypt."  (Isaiah 30:2b)  They have put Egypt in the place of God! What treason!  Read Isaiah 30:3-5.

As  if to answer  any suggestion that the mission to Egypt is merely a casual visit, Isaiah gives more details.  "The pronouncement against the beasts of the south:  Through the land of distress, and hard conditions, of the lion and the leopard growling, of the viper and the flying fiery snake, on the shoulders of full-grown asses they carry their resources, and on the humps of camels their supplies."  (Isaiah 30:6a)  Clearly, the journey is well planned.  Envoys organize a caravan of camels and asses, which they load with costly goods and lead down to Egypt through a barren wilderness infested with growling lions and venomous snakes. Finally, they envoys reach their destination and hand their treasures to the Egyptians.  They have bought protection-or so they think.   However, Jehovah says:  "In behalf of the people they will prove of no benefit.  And the Egyptians are mere vanity, and they will help simply for nothing.  Therefore I have called this one:  'Rahab-they are for sitting still.' "  (Isaiah 30:6b, 7)  "Rahab, " a "sea monster," came to symbolize Egypt.  (Isaiah 51:9, 10)  She promises everything but does nothing.  Judah's alliance with her is a fatal mistake.

As Isaiah describes the journey of the envoys, his listeners may remember a similar journey made in the days of Moses.  Their forefathers walked through that very same "fear-inspiring wilderness."  (Deuteronomy 8:14-16)  In Moses' day, however, the Israelites were traveling away from Egypt and out of bondage.  This time the envoys travel to Egypt and, effective into subjection.  What folly!  May we never make such a bad decision and exchange our spiritual freedom for slavery! -Compare Galatians 5:1.

Next time: Opposition to the Prophet's Message

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000