Isaiah 30

Seeking Help from Egypt

Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Isa 30:2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

This prophecy was given when Israel and Judah were under attack by the Assyrians. Woe to the rebellious children. It was rebellion that took away God's protection from them. It is rebellion that takes away God's protection from the United States. They sought counsel from Egypt and men, but not from God. They covered themselves with bribery and things of the world to escape, but not with the Spirit of God. They did fleshly things and did not seek the counsel and help that comes only from God. God is speaking to them, he sees their desperate condition and he sees their trust in things and not him. They looked for alliances with Egypt, a nation who does not worship their God. Who will our nation turn to? We have no friends and most of the world does not seek God. Our own people are divided as were Israel and Judah. WE seek to be covered by military strength, but many add sin to sin.

Isa 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
Isa 30:4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
Isa 30:5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

Egypt was not their strength. The Egyptians were ashamed of them, for they had nothing in themselves. They bought and consumed things from Egypt but they produced little of worth. We can apply this to our country, once the greatest producer of all things and a supplier to the world. We helped our enemies and rebuilt their lands. Now, we have little industry, for we have invested in foreign countries. Our enemies are our providers, China produces most everything we need. In time of trouble will they come to our aid? We are despised by all the world. We export pornography and immoral entertainment. A generation has turned from the values and the God who made us a prosperous and good nation. Will we face the invaders as did Israel and Judah. We can't keep our borders closed from illegal smuggling of people and dangerous drugs and possibly terrorists.

We who trust the Lord are the help of our nation. Our prayers are our protection. We trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We are to witness the gospel to bring life to a spiritually dead people. Our sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb; they are no more. Do we hide from what is coming? We shall trust in God, through the Holy Spirit, being made the children of God through trusting in Jesus Christ, our savior.

Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul was executed by the Roman emporer, Nero, but he left behind the example and good counsel given through the Holy Spirit. He lives today with Jesus. Where is Nero? His life was a zero. We will be as Paul and Jesus.

Onward Christian soldiers, march forward into the future, you are with Christ Jesus in heavenly places.

Do not Trust in Egypt

Isa 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

Woe to the beasts of burden, the donkeys and camels who are loaded down with the riches of Israel, to buy protection. All that work for nothing. They will travel to Egypt a place of lions and snakes; some of these were worshipped as gods by the Egyptians. These people will not help them or profit them. Israel and Judah are God's covenant people, yet they trusted in riches and in an idolatrous nation who has no regard for them.

Applying this to our country, how many countries that we give our money too will come to our aid if under attack? Most would probably celebrate. The hope of God's people who are in a covenant with him, is not a pagan nation, but the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Give our treasure to Him. What is it that he wants? Our hearts and obedience to His will.

Isa 30:7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

The Egyptians would help in an empty way, to no purpose; what's the use? God had spoken to them, for their power was to sit still and do nothing. Sometimes we pour out our resources out of fear, as Jacob sent his fortune to Esau, out of fear. It was the waiting on the LORD that saved Jacob. The LORD changes circumstances.

Isa 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

Isa 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We wait upon the LORD, as Jacob waited. He prayed and wrestled with the angel of God until he was blessed and had overcome. We are to wait like this, upon the Lord. Our own mind, our flesh, our riches are not enough. We wait upon the LORD for he is our strength and our deliverer. We are not unlike Israel as a nation at that time. Yet, we are the people who trust in the LORD. We are not without strength and purpose. Wait upon the Lord and he will arise in us and through us.

2 Sam 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
2 Sam 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
2 Sam 22:4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
2 Sam 22:5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
2 Sam 22:6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
2 Sam 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

Thank you Father for hearing us and forgiving our sins, through Christ Jesus. We want your strength and wisdom for our burdens were lifted at Calvary. Rise up Holy Spirit and flow through your vessels, your temples. We are nothing without our Father's help. Amen

A Rebellious people

Isa 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

Listen and write this in a book for now and forevermore. For this rebellious prople of Israel and Judah and for all who were in a covenant relationship with me.

Isa 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

God sees the hearts: a rebellious people, his children are lying, and listen to liars and will not hear the word of the LORD.

Isa 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

They will not hear God's word, as in the Christian chats, but they will go to false seers and psychics to hear a good word about themselves. We are to continue in the word, warning them and encouraging them to stay in God's whole word of truth.

2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

As in our nation, founded under God, they want no part of him, because they are a wicked selfish people. They look to eastern mystics and new age fantasies and claim a Jesus of their convenience, who does not die for their sins, for they think they are good and that Jesus dwells within.

Isa 30:11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
Isa 30:12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

They trusted more in corrupt Egypt, then in the LORD God.

Isa 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Destruction will come suddenly, as a mighty dam that breaks. Jeremiah continues the warning.

Jer 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
Jer 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Isa 30:14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

The potter who made the vessel, can also break the vessel. A sherd is a clay vessel.

Isa 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

They would have been saved in quietness, in waiting upon the LORD, being confident in Him. That is so true, in the midst of danger and fear, we have the peace of God. We prepare for the battle, and trust in the LORD. Unfortunately, they would not. They were a rebellious people as many are today. Nothing has changed, our confidence is in waiting upon the Lord.

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

No escape

Isa 30:16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

Trusting in your own might and strength will fail. No horse, no car, no jet can keep you safe from your enemies if you are separated from God. We must see that all things are spiritual. The just shall live by faith.

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Knowing to do good will not save you.

Rom 14:23 ...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The unbelievers and rebels go down to destruction.

Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Isa 30:17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

The LORD had promised that Israel would prevail if they followed him and obeyed him.

Lev 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Lev 26:7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
Lev 26:8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Those of God's people who rebel, shall flee from their enemies. They were to rest in the their LORD and be saved, instead they ran and were filled with fear. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. How sad, for the LORD's people should be the strong ones. For in truth if they had of trusted the LORD, these things would be turned around.

At the time of the exodus from Egypt, the people of God were told to go into the promised land, but they had no faith, they were afraid. Afterwards the door was shut to this generation.

Num 14:40 And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned.
Num 14:41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.
Num 14:42 Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.
Num 14:43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.

Will the door be shut to our generation of rebels? The door is Jesus, it requires faith to enter the gateway to God.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

If we are to be protected we must have God with us. We must obey him, go through the door and do what he says. If we are his people and trust in him, then we are as those in Psalms 91.

Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Do we see this? We must live by faith in Jesus and be close to God. We must follow him and obey him and wait quietly upon him. If we trust in anything else it is rebellion. Will you be as the one who sends a thousand to flee? Or will you be in the thousand running from God and the enemies will come after you? I will trust the LORD and stay close to him for he is my strength and my shield. In him I have perfect love and peace.

1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

Preparation for Service

Isa 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

The LORD will wait, wait so that he may bless us. Have we patience to wait upon the LORD? Are we willing to seek him and to change our thoughts and behavior, to obey and to honor him? He could give us what we deserve and destroy us for our disobedience, but instead he waits.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The LORD is gracious towards us, especially in Christ Jesus. He gives grace and mercy to us, who are sinners and unworthy, so that he may be exalted. God is more than unconditional love. He wants us to change and through Jesus, we are given grace and mercy. He is the giver of good things. Honor him and fear him who could just as well destroy us, because of his holiness and judgment on sin. God is more than love. His love comes when we receive Jesus: love, grace and mercy. Blessed are all who wait on him, instead of carrying out their own thoughts and the thoughts of the devil. We do not wait on God by sinning defiantly. Wait on him as he waits for us to come in surrender to our flesh and rebellious will. Wait on God as he waits for us with loving arms.

Isa 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

Call upon the LORD with humble hearts and he will hear and answer. The God of Zion is also the God of the Gentiles, through faith in Jesus Christ. Are we calling to God in prayer? Listen and he will answer our call. He will dry our tears.

Psa 116:8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
Psa 116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Isa 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

Bread of adversity, water of affliction, the essentials of life were not being supplied, to get their attention. If we serve the devil, all is bitterness and empty, their is no nourishment in evil. Put away the lusts of the flesh, listen to the hearing of God's word and receive Jesus, the bread of life and the living water that springs forth, bringing life to others.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

By knowing the word of God, the Spirit of God will direct our paths. We are to walk by faith and we are to know the voice of the master. Some leave the hearing of God's word in the Bible and hear other voices, they walk away from God to their destruction. The Holy Spirit will lead you into ministries and the fulfilling of your purpose from God.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We must wait upon the Lord and surrender our will to him.

Isa 30:22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

Notice that some things we must do: Get thee hence. We must put away some things. The idols, the things we cling to that are not fruitful for God's purpose. They are cast away as filthy rags. This includes our own self righteousness and our pride.

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

We clean the house and fill it with the word of God and the Spirit of God, then we are equipped for service. Wait upon the LORD, for he waits for you.

The LORD Supplies

Isa 30:23 Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

Abundant crops instead of famine. Blessings and not hunger. Thank God for blessings and do not turn from him in times of abundance. Your cattle shall feed in large pastures. Be thankful for the good times you have had, they are from the Lord.

Isa 30:24 The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.

The animals are fed and made fat with the abundant harvest of grain. When Israel puts away here idols, God blesses them.

Isa 30:25 And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

Abundance of water in the high mountains, rivers and streams, again abundant supply from God. In the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall? I see the twin towers falling, the power and prosperity apart from God and mans idolatry of finances. The people of God who trust him have an abundant supply of food and water. It is when the people turn from God, that his protection and provision are removed. Whatever gain comes from serving other gods, will not last. Politicians promise hope and change, but it is power they lust after. They are high towers with empty promises. We are to trust the LORD and his word.

Isa 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

The abundance of light, perfect light, seven fold light, shines from God to bring healing to the people who have turned from their sins and have received healing mercies. Avoid the folly of sins and seeking pleasure from other things. Our blessings come from growing closer to our LORD. Put away foolish things and get serious as the disciples of our Lord.

Wrath, Hell and Rejoicing

Isa 30:27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
Isa 30:28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

There is much evil in the nations and God will judge them according to their works. He is angry at sin. Some say God is unconditional love, no, he is angry at the sins of the ungodly, but he is not angry at his own, who trust in him. He will sift the nations with a sieve of vanity. I remember my mothers flour sifter, it would sift out impurities, maybe an occasional bug. The LORD will sift out those full of vanity, arrogance and pride in their evil doings. If there was ever a need for this , it is now. Evil is promoted in government and in schools and their is no tolerance for God's commands. The LORD shall bridle the enemy nations who seek to harm his people and they will be taken away, even fighting each other in confusion. What will God's people be doing? They will be praising him, making joyful music together. Remember this when trouble comes our way

Isa 30:29 Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.

There will be a song in your heart and holy peace surrounding you. You will be worshipping and praising the mighty God for his righteous judgment. We do not enjoy the presence of sin.

Isa 30:30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
Isa 30:31 For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

The LORD will be heard, by those who will not hear him, his anger and wrath shall come as grievous storms. We are seeing his wrath even now in our weather, but his wrath will really be kindled against the enemies of his people. The LORD'S voice, shall beat down the enemy Assyrians, they shall be beaten down, which did harm with their weapons. Our nation needs to turn to God and be united if we expect a good future. Who is on the LORD'S side? Angels destroyed the Assyrians in one night.

2 Ki 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Isa 30:32 And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.

As the LORD removes iniquity, his people are rejoicing and singing. Perhaps" He is trampling down the vineyards where the grapes of wrath are stored, glory, glory, haleluia".

Isa 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

Tophet was a place where sacrifices were offered to the God Molech, a place of sacrificing children by fire. This is compared to our abortions today; offering our children to the God of self and pleasure.

"Here malefactors were buried, it is said; and such as were condemned to burning were burned here; and such as had no burial were cast here; so that it was an image and picture of hell itself: and the word "Gehenna", used for hell, comes from "Gehinnom", or the valley of Hinnom, the name of this place; and some think that is here meant, which from all eternity was appointed as the place of torment for wicked men, So the Targum,

...for hell is ordained from the worlds (or before the worlds), because of their sins.'' (John Gill)

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

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