Isaiah 30:1-7 - Homiletics

A godless policy issues in disaster, however seemingly wise.

In the sight of man there was no more prudent course for the Jews to take than to ally themselves with Egypt. Egypt was the only power in their neighborhood that could possibly make head against Assyria. Egypt had a standing army, trained warriors, an ancient military system, numerous chariots and horses, ample siege material, and abundant appliances of war. She was at the time closely connected with Ethiopia, and could bring into the field the forces of two great nations. Had she been thoroughly awake to her own interests, she would have strained every nerve to make an effective league of the small nations and tribes lying between her and Assyria Proper, in order to check the advance of that ambitious and dangerous power. Hezekiah and his advisers might naturally see in Egypt, not only their only possible protector, but one to whose protection they might look with confidence and hope. There was one thing only to be set against all this. The Egyptians were a nation of idolaters, and God had expressly warned the Jews, by the mouth of Isaiah, against relying on them ( Isaiah 20:2-6 ). Thus reliance on Egypt was a godless policy—involved taking up a position of hostility to God; ceasing to ask his counsel (verse 1), turning a deaf ear to any warnings that might be addressed to them by God's prophets ( Isaiah 29:10-14 ). And God made it of none effect. God blinded Tirhakah to his true interests, and made him act in the most foolish way possible—first encourage Hezekiah to revolt, and then desert him in the hour of need and peril. Some such result follows always on the adoption of a godless policy. The expectations of those who engage in it are disappointed; there is a failure somewhere: "God arises, and his enemies are scattered;" their clever schemes break down and come to naught.