Verse 1
This chapter might be entitled "More of the Same"; but there are some significant differences. Jehovah appears in this chapter as a lion defending his prey (Jerusalem) against false shepherds; and the idols of the people are discarded as, at last, they "trust in God" when the armies of Sennacherib are actually deployed around the city. As Barnes expressed it: "It is evident that this chapter is composed at about the same time as the preceding, and relates to the same subject."[1] The changes just mentioned are sufficient grounds for understanding it as somewhat later than that of preceding chapters. Of course, the critics promptly make a "post eventum" prophecy out of it because they are blinded by unreasonable infidel rules followed in most seminaries. As often observed in this series of studies, "No unbeliever will ever be able properly to interpret the Bible."
"Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah."
Many things should have convinced the Jews of the fallacy of trusting in Egypt for anything. They had, throughout the history of Israel, been their bitterest and most cruel enemies. Also, as Rawlinson noted, "The examples of Samaria, Gaza, and Ashdod might well have taught them the lesson of distrusting Egypt ... But they were infatuated and insisted upon relying on Egypt despite her previous failures to provide aid."[2]
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