Preparing for Deliverance

Intro

Isaiah condemns Hezekiah, king of Judah for his reliance on Egypt as an ally, but Hezekiah does not listen to God’s warning (703-701 BCE). This chapter address:

• Israel’s choice to trust in Egypt for protection over the LORD their God. Israel’s rejection of God’s warning not to trust Egypt.

• Israel repentance and parade toward the mountain of God.

• The judgement of God’s enemies by his Word.

• A future of prosperity for Israel but one of destruction for Assyria.

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Isaiah 30:1-7

Isaiah proclaims doom to a Judah for their rebellion against God, for they have made plans to align themselves with Egypt without consulting the LORD for instruction (v.1). Not only is Assyria a problem for Judah, but now so is the LORD their God, for they have brought shame and disgrace on themselves for trusting in an ally who could not help them (v.5). 

Have you ever put your trust in a person or thing when you were better off simply putting your faith in the LORD? What lesson can you learn from that past experience today?

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Read Isaiah 30:8-14

Isaiah focuses his attention on the issue of misplaced, and feels so strongly about this that in his words he commands it to be written down again (v.8). He explains that people only want to hear words that make them feel comfortable; we want smooth things and illusions rather than to be challenged to do what is right (v.10). Isaiah was right to command this to be re-written because it is so easily forgotten and remembered too late; for it is in Hezekiah’s trust in oppression and deceit that he will lead Judah to disaster (v.12-14).

What warnings do you wish you had taken more seriously when you younger?

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Read Isaiah 30:15-26

Isaiah refuses to become a false prophet who will only preach what his people want to hear, instead he proclaims the only way the LORD will help is when Judah returns to the LORD to find rest by completely relying on Him. But unfortunately Judah does not listen, and because they prefer to trust in horses that in the LORD their God, they will have to flee from  their enemies (v.15-17).

Yet even in this, Isaiah proclaims that God is yet still waiting to show his people mercy when they choose to repent (v.18). The declaration, “For the LORD is a God of justice” being placed here defines for us that justice is God’s purpose even for judgement. And so Judah is encouraged to cry out to God in repentance because even though he may give them the bread of adversity, he is never out of earshot from their prayers to answer them with guidance. Isaiah says God will again arise as Teacher, and that their ears will hear a voice behind them say, “This is the way; walk in it.” And at the Teachers command, all of God’s people will be eager to throw away all their idols (v.22).

This is also a reference to Isaiah himself as “teacher”, who hid himself in protest to Jerusalems’s reliance on false sources of security.

What does the absence of God’s instruction say about how much we need His Word in our lives?

There will be an outpouring of prosperity, rain will fall on every seed they sow so that their grain, cattle, and ox will grow in abundance. Water will flow freely until there is no longer any thirst, and the LORD will heal all their wounds and turn their gloom into the light of 7 days. (v.26)

When you face a challenge, what reminds you that your God is bigger than your problem?

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Read Isaiah 30:27-33

The proclamation for a future filled with new hope for Israel is also a proclamation of despair for their enemies. Isaiah says that the LORD will send a flood of his Word as well as a vortex of his Word to shake things up and cause all of his enemies to fall into destruction. (v.28)

While God’s enemies are judged by his word, Israel sings all night long at a holy feast. Isaiah says that their hearts will burst into song as they form a parade of musical instruments on their way to the mountain of God, the Rock of Israel. The Lord will join in with thunder from heaven, yet his enemies, here named as Assyria, will not be able to withstand the hammering arm of the LORD. And every blow God sends from his throne on Assyria will be in sync with the music of Israel’s parade. 

Isaiah concludes this chapter with the reminder that no matter how strong your enemy, when you put your faith in God he makes you victorious.

When was the last time you put your complete trust in God to handle a difficult situation, how did God hold you up when you chose to lean on Him?

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Prayer

God of all wisdom,

We thank you for your word, for it is the source of all knowledge, but we also ask that you help us in our stubbornness. For although we know that there is none wise but you, we still turn to things and people to make us feel secure. Shock and amaze us into knowing that all power is in your hands, LORD. Prove to us that you are worthy of our complete trust in you. When everything fails, you remain, so compel us while we have the time to trust in no other. We praise you because we know that you are able to help us overcome whatever challenges we face, in Jesus Name. Amen!