Isaiah 30:1 - Anything Done Without God Is Doomed To Failure.
Isa. 30:1: Anything Done Without God Is Doomed To Failure.
Isa 30:1 (NLT) "Destruction is certain for my rebellious
children," says the LORD. "You make plans that are contrary to my will. You
weave a web of plans that are not from my Spirit, thus piling up your
sins.
Isa 30:1 (TLB) Woe to my rebellious children, says the LORD,
you ask advise from everyone but me, and decide to do what I don't
want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up
your sins.
OVERVIEW
Isaiah condemned Judah's decision to rebel against Assyria and
make a treaty with Egypt. That treaty was a covenant with death
(28:1-29), and God's unresponsive people would suffer humiliation
(29:1-24). Plans made without consulting God will fail (30:1-31:9), yet
God's plan to establish a righteous kingdom will succeed (32:1-20). In
His time God will arise. Jerusalem will again experience peace
(33:1-24). [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
30:1-33
In the previous chapter, Isaiah denounces those who seek human
support, instead of depending on the Lord. In chs. 30 and 31, Isaiah
addresses the specific folly of depending on Egypt. This woe oracle
consists of a condemnation of dependence on Egypt (vv. 1-17) and a
promise that the Lord will save Israel and destroy Assyria (vv. 18-33).
[Nelson SB]
30:1-17 Destruction For Reliance On Egypt
This section reflects the existence of a pro-Egyptian party in
Hezekiah's court. God warned that true deliverance was not to be found in
Egypt but in the security of his own person. Zoan (better known today
as Tanis) is located in the northeast region of the Nile Delta.
Hanes (known today as Ahnas) is located west of the Nile about
fifty-five miles south of Memphis. [New Bible Companion]
30:1
This is the fourth woe in 28:1-35:10. The rebellious children
are Hezekiah's advisers. To the sin of injustice they add the sin of
devising plans independently of God. [Nelson SB]
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION
It was because of the sins of Judah that the Assyrian armies had
been permitted to come against her in the first place. Now Judah
added to her sin in by going to Egypt for help against Assyria. [SDA
Commentary]
The obstinate children are the people of Judah (see Isaiah 1:2),
those who have rebelled against God. The negotiations for an alliance
were underway, and Isaiah condemned their twisted plans. The people
of Judah sought advice from everyone but God. When we are driven by
fear, we tend to search everywhere for comfort, advice, and relief,
hoping to find an easy way out of our troubles. Instead, we should
consult God. Although he gives emergency help in a crisis, he prefers to
be our Guide throughout our lives. By reading his Word and actively
seeking to do his will, we can maintain our bond with him who provides
stability no matter what the crisis. [Life Application SB]
Again and again these chapters stress the futility of relying on
anything other than God. Perhaps the clearest expression of this is found
in 31:3: "The Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh
and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, he who helps
will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together."
We're so vulnerable to the attitude seen here in the people of Judah.
We keep on putting our trust in things we can touch, see, and feel.
We know that the only things that are real, the only things that
offer true security, are spiritual and not material. If we keep this
truth clearly in mind, and act on it, we will be safe from the sin
that brought disaster on ancient Judah. [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]
The Holy Spirit waits to give aid to every believing soul, and
Jesus declares, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world." Let those who believe in Jesus be strong, prayerful, and full of
trust in Christ's power to save. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble:
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." {TM 380.1}
Any action not led by God's Spirit is sin. Any action not based
on trust in God is sin. [Disciple SB]
God is Sovereign - He is in complete control of His world and
will ultimately accomplish His purposes. It is futile for people to
trust in their own plans, strength, and alliances rather than in God.
[Disciple SB]
Are you trusting things that cannot help you while the Lord
waits for you to come to Him for help (30:15,18)? Those who wait on
the Lord for help will experience blessings, such as answered prayer
(30:18-19), God's guidance (30:20-21), cleansing (30:22), fruitfulness
(30:23-26), victory (30:27-33; 31:4-9), and a song (30:29). [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
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