Font Size
The general stance of rebellion and disobedience on the part of God’s people in chs. 28 and 29 now takes a specific direction: instead of trusting God, they trust Egypt.
Hezekiah sought the counsel of other prophets who advised him to form an alliance with Egypt and to rebel against Assyria. It would prove to be a foolish and destructive move. Note the reference to Egypt’s shade for refuge in v.2. This was a direct affront to Yahweh who alone had been Israel’s shade (cf. 4:6; 25:4).
V.4 is not immediately clear, but the history behind the text suggests that the Ethiopian Shubako had only recently devastated Egypt and continued to have envoys in strategic locations, thus heightening the foolishness of relying on weakened Egypt.
Vv.6 and 7 comprise a separate oracle. With great artistic skill, Isaiah paints a picture of extraordinary measures to transport extravagant payment to buy the help of a wasted and wornout mythical figure now rendered impotent (Rahab is the sea monster but is here portrayed as an old woman sitting on the ground.)
In vv.8-11, Isaiah insists that a written record be made of their rebellion as an everlasting witness against them. They somehow thought they could choose not to be confronted with the Holy One of Israel (v.11). Such a confrontation by God is not a matter of our choosing. We will be confronted by either his word or his judgment. In rejecting the former, this people chose the latter. God’s judgment, says Isaiah, will break in upon them like the collapsing of a high wall (vv.12-14).
V.15 is striking in its contrast. Repentance and rest, quietness and trust—these are what God wants; these are what they need, but they refuse God’s ways. One is reminded of the words of Jesus “Take my yoke upon you . . . for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:29-30).
In response to God’s offer of himself, they chose horses instead! With a masterful play on words, Isaiah spins their fate (vv.16-17). Their horses will have to be fast, but the enemies will be faster still, and the devastation will be swift and total. What remains will resemble a lonely pole on a barren hill.
Isaiah concludes this section with an open invitation to trust in God who desires to show compassion and grace. As such it makes a transition to the following section.