Isaiah 30

CHAPTERS 30 AND 31THEME: Judah admonished not to turn to Egypt for help against Assyria; exhorted to turn to the LordThese two chapters present largely a local situation, although a larger prophecy of a future time grows out of it. The local prophecy has been literally fulfilled. The southern kingdom of Judah heard and heeded the prophet’s warning and did not join with Egypt in order to be delivered from the Assyrian. The northern kingdom of Israel made the mistake of ignoring the prophet’s warning, and they went into Assyrian captivity (see 2Ki_17:4). This is one time when the southern kingdom profited by the experience of the northern kingdom.

Isaiah 30:1

ADMONITION NOT TO SEEK ALLIANCE WITH EGYPTThis is the fourth woe. It is a woe because it is a warning. God says in effect, “Don’t go to Egypt for help, because it won’t be a good thing for you to do. Help down there is a mirage on the desert.”

Isaiah 30:18

EXHORTATION TO TURN TO JEHOVAH FOR DELIVERANCEGod says, “Turn to Me, and I will deliver you” (see v. Isa_30:15). This is a marvelous verse, one of the gems of Scripture. Don’t be in a hurry. Don’t say, “We are at the end of the age, and the Lord is going to come this year or nextor at least before the year two thousand.” God says, “Let Me work this out. I have not given you any dates.” Learn to wait upon the Lord. This matter of looking for the Lord Jesus to come to take His own out of the world is a matter of waiting. And we are told that they who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. You cannot rush God. He is in no hurry. Maybe things are not working out the way you think they should; maybe you and I would like to rearrange them, but let God work things out. He has eternity ahead of Him; and, when you and I get in step with Him, life will be much easier for us down here.

Isaiah 30:31

DECLARATION THAT GOD WILL DEAL WITH THE FINAL ASSYRIANThe Assyrian here is the final enemy of God in the Great Tribulation. “Tophet” was a place in the valley of the son of Hinnom where the most abominable idolatries were practiced. Little children were offered as sacrifices! It speaks in this passage of the worst spot in the lake of fire. “The king” mentioned represents the beast and the false prophet: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev_20:10). In chapter 31 the prophet warns God’s people again not to look to Egypt for help but to trust the Lord to defend Jerusalem. So pressing is the danger, and so evident is the likelihood of the Israelites turning to Egypt, that Isaiah continues to warn Judah of the futility of such a measure. In the future Israel will turn to the wrong ally. They will accept the Antichrist, and God is warning them about it here. God will judge those who turn to outside help instead of to Him.