Isaiah 30
SIBIsaiah 30:1-5
Dreadful ruin shall overtake those Israelites and Jews, who, without regarding my counsel, increase their wickedness, by taking unwarrantable methods for their own protection and deliverance. 6, 7. They send whole loads of presents upon asses and camels southward into Egypt, which will but hurt instead of helping them, and will soon be as miserable as themselves.—But their only way to secure themselves is to stay at home, and trust in and wait upon God for his help. See ver. 15
Isaiah 30:9-17
And, since this rebellious and hypocritical people will disregard my admonitions, and require my prophets to forbear delivering my messages unless they flatter their humours and lusts, they shall quickly find themselves, and their carnal confidences, all shattered to pieces. And, since they refuse to stay at home, and turn to and trust in me, but will trust to their Egyptian allies, the Assyrians shall pursue and scatter them, till only a few stragglers be left
Isaiah 30:18-26
Nevertheless, the Lord will wait for a fit season to deliver you, and will, in infinite wisdom, glorify his own perfections in working graciously for you. Notwithstanding Sennacherib’s attempts, and the attempts of all your other enemies, ye shall safely dwell in Jerusalem; ye shall return thither from your Chaldean captivity; and in the latter days shall, to your inexpressible comfort and happiness, be converted to Christ and his church. And, whatever adversities you may quickly suffer, you shall then have plenty of public ordinances and teachers, and be remarkably directed in all your ways. Ye shall, with the utmost detestation, relinquish your idolatries, and destroy every monument thereof. While your fields and hills produce plentiful crops of corn, grass, vines, &c. your nation shall bring forth multitudes of converts, and fruits of righteousness, to the glory of God. And, while your proud enemies, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syro-grecians, Antichristians, and Turks, are brought down, great and amazing shall be your refreshment, knowledge, comfort, and vigour
Isaiah 30:27-33
For behold, to your sudden and inexpressible joy, the Lord, in the execution of his purposes and predictions, will, with great ease, but in a most terrible and sudden manner, destroy the Assyrian army in the valley of Hinnom, before Jerusalem, as a prelude of similar ruin to the rest of your adversaries
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXX.—Men are too fond of trusting to human help in their distress, and too careless of that which is divine. But what is got without the Lord’s leave cannot be of any real service, but hurt. The notorious wickedness of professors justifies God’s severest judgments against them!—It is infinitely criminal and hazardous for men to tempt God’s ministers to unfaithfulness in delivering his messages. God frequently gives them up to delusion who incline to it; and punishes such as scoff at his admonitions with fearful, certain, and unavoidable ruin. There is no way of escaping his judgments but by a believing and penitent turning to himself. And if, notwithstanding thousands of provocations and judgments, he still wait to be gracious, earnestly ought we to wait and cry for his favours. Persevering faith and prayer always issue in substantial and lasting comforts. Great is the mercy to have an open access to Jesus Christ’s ministers and ordinances, and to be directed in every step by God’s teaching Spirit and a tender conscience. Detestable to exercised saints are their formerly beloved lusts, and precious are new covenant blessings. The relief of God’s people, and the ruin of their enemies, are marvellously connected. In his anger he blasts, overflows, sifts, bridles, beats, and burns up his most proud and powerful opposers with the greatest ease! Having therefore received a kingdom that cannot be moved, let me have grace, wherewith I may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a consuming fire