Jehovah's Offer Rejected

For Isaiah's listeners though, destruction is not inevitable.  There is a way out.  The prophet explains:  "This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, has said:  'By coming back and resting you people will be saved.  Your mightiness will prove  to be simply in keeping undisturbed  and in trustfulness.' "  (Isaiah 30:15a)   Jehovah is ready to save his people-if they show faith by "resting," or refraining from trying to secure salvation through human alliances, and by "keeping undisturbed," or demonstrating trust in God's protective power by not giving way to fear.  "But," Isaiah tells the people, "you were not willing." -Isaiah 30:15b.

Isaiah then elaborates:  "And you proceeded to say:  'No, but on horses we shall flee!'  That is why you will flee.  'And on swift horses we shall ride!'  That is why those pursuing you will show themselves swift."  (Isaiah 30:16) The Judeans think that swift horses, rather than Jehovah, will mean their salvation.  (Deuteronomy 17:16; Proverbs  21:31)  However, counters the prophet, their trust will be an illusion because their enemies will overtake them.  Even large numbers will not help them.  "A thousand will tremble on account of the rebuke of one; on account of the rebuke of the five you will flee."  (Isaiah 30:17a) The armies  of Judah will panic and flee at the shout of just a handful of the enemy.  In the end, only a remnant will remain, left alone, "like a mast on the top of a mountain and like signal on a hill."  (Isaiah 30:17b) True to the prophecy, when Jerusalem is destroyed in 607 B.C.E., only a remnant survive. -Jeremiah 25:8-11.

Next time: Comfort Amid Condemnation

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